Making the Most of HSAs at Every Life Stage

Open enrollment is a time when millions of Americans are looking to get the most out of their benefits while reducing their health-care costs. One of the best ways to do this is by enrolling in a Health Savings Account (HSA).

An HSA can be a good way to save money for medical expenses and reduce your taxable income. You can automatically deposit a portion of your pay into the HSA on a pre-tax basis. Some employers contribute money as well.

CONTROL OVER HEALTH-CARE SPENDING

To qualify for an HSA, you must be enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance plan, as defined by the government. These plans often have lower premiums than other health insurance plans because they are designed for consumers to take more control over their health-care spending. money place in the HSA can cover the plan deductible, and once its met, the insurance starts paying. Money left in the savings account may earn interest and is yours to keep. You can contribute as little as $1 or up to the federal limits (for 2019, $3,500 for an individual HSA plan and $7,000 for a family plan) into your HSA account.

You can use your HSA funds on a tax-free basis to pay for qualified medical expenses such as prescription drugs, dental expenses, co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance amounts. Your HSA can also be used to pay your Medicare and long-term care insurance premiums.

5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING A HEALTH PLAN

Unlike flexible spending accounts where you'll lose any unused balances at the end of the year, unused HSA balances carry over fro one year to the next. So, there is no "use it or lose it" worry with your HSA.

HSAS ARE TRIPLE TAX-FREE

Understanding the potential of your HSA can help you take advantage of the triple tax-free advantages HSAs can offer. 

With an HSA, lowering your taxes is easy:

1. The contributions you make to your HSA are made pre-tax, so less of your income is taxed.

2. Then, money in your HSA typically grows tax-free. Many accounts offer interest earned on your savings and even investment opportunities. 

3. You can withdraw money to pay for qualified medical expenses and pay no taxes on that money.

While you and your employer have until April 15, 2019, to make contributions for 2018, the time to prepare is now. Consult with your tax adviser to learn more.

HEALTH-CARE SAVINGS AT EVERY AGE + STAGE

No matter your stage of life, an HSA can be a handy savings option. A young, self-employed family with an HSA plan can use the savings to cover the insurance deductible. If you don't have dental or vision coverage, they can use it to pay for vision and dental care. Empty-nesters may find they need some new tax breaks, after the kids can't be claimed as dependents for tax purposes.

Consumers who have 401(k) plans should analyze the benefits of HSA vs. 401(k) contributions. If you have the option of contributing to both your HSA and a 401(k), it can be difficult to decide where to focus. Consider that while both 401(k) pre-tax payroll contributions and HSA payroll contributions are made without deductions for state and federal taxes, HSA contributions are truly pre-tax in that Medicare and Social Security taxes are not withheld. Check with your accountant or tax adviser to find the right approach for you.

To learn more about HSAs, visit HSACenter.com, an educational resource that includes savings and investment calculators. Whether you’re single, have a growing family or are thinking ahead to your post-career life, HSAs can empower you to make the most of your health care spending.

Marc Neely is the CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Colorado.