Janemarie Mulvey
Specialist in Aging and Income Security
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are one way people can pay for unreimbursed medical expenses (deductibles, copayments, and services not covered by insurance) on a tax-advantaged basis. HSAs can be established and funded by eligible individuals when they have a qualifying highdeductible health plan and no other health plan, with some exceptions. For 2010, the deductible for self-only coverage must be at least $1,200 (with an annual out-of-pocket limit not exceeding $5,950); the deductible for family coverage must be at least $2,400 (with an annual out-of-pocket limit not exceeding $11,900).
The annual HSA contribution limit in 2010 for individuals with self-only coverage is $3,050; for family coverage, it is $6,150. Individuals who are at least 55 years of age but not yet enrolled in Medicare may contribute an additional $1,000.
The tax advantages of HSAs can be significant for some people: contributions are deductible (or excluded from income that is taxable if made by employers), withdrawals are not taxed if used for medical expenses, and account earnings are tax-exempt. Unused balances may accumulate without limit.
HSAs and the accompanying high-deductible health plans are one form of what some call “consumer-driven health plans.” One objective of these plans is to encourage individuals and families to set money aside for their health care expenses. Another is to give them a financial incentive for spending health care dollars prudently. Still another goal is to give them the means to pay for health care services of their own choosing, without constraint by insurers or employers. Since HSAs are still relatively new (they have been authorized for less than six years), the extent to which they will further these objectives is not yet known with any assurance, notwithstanding some early data.
This report is limited to a summary of the principal rules governing HSAs, covering such matters as eligibility, qualifying health insurance, contributions, and withdrawals. The recently enacted health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), will make some changes to HSAs in future years. These include changes to the definition of qualified expenses and increases to the penalty for distributions for non-qualified expenses. Both of these changes will be effective in 2011. These changes are discussed in greater detail at the end of this report.
Date of Report: September 9, 2010
Number of Pages: 14
Order Number: RL33257
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
Specialist in Aging and Income Security
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are one way people can pay for unreimbursed medical expenses (deductibles, copayments, and services not covered by insurance) on a tax-advantaged basis. HSAs can be established and funded by eligible individuals when they have a qualifying highdeductible health plan and no other health plan, with some exceptions. For 2010, the deductible for self-only coverage must be at least $1,200 (with an annual out-of-pocket limit not exceeding $5,950); the deductible for family coverage must be at least $2,400 (with an annual out-of-pocket limit not exceeding $11,900).
The annual HSA contribution limit in 2010 for individuals with self-only coverage is $3,050; for family coverage, it is $6,150. Individuals who are at least 55 years of age but not yet enrolled in Medicare may contribute an additional $1,000.
The tax advantages of HSAs can be significant for some people: contributions are deductible (or excluded from income that is taxable if made by employers), withdrawals are not taxed if used for medical expenses, and account earnings are tax-exempt. Unused balances may accumulate without limit.
HSAs and the accompanying high-deductible health plans are one form of what some call “consumer-driven health plans.” One objective of these plans is to encourage individuals and families to set money aside for their health care expenses. Another is to give them a financial incentive for spending health care dollars prudently. Still another goal is to give them the means to pay for health care services of their own choosing, without constraint by insurers or employers. Since HSAs are still relatively new (they have been authorized for less than six years), the extent to which they will further these objectives is not yet known with any assurance, notwithstanding some early data.
This report is limited to a summary of the principal rules governing HSAs, covering such matters as eligibility, qualifying health insurance, contributions, and withdrawals. The recently enacted health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), will make some changes to HSAs in future years. These include changes to the definition of qualified expenses and increases to the penalty for distributions for non-qualified expenses. Both of these changes will be effective in 2011. These changes are discussed in greater detail at the end of this report.
Date of Report: September 9, 2010
Number of Pages: 14
Order Number: RL33257
Price: $29.95
Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports
Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.
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