This article sets out Questions and Answers regarding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), as provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Notice 2008-59. The Notice addresses the following topics related to HSAs:
Note: For 2014, the HSA annual contribution limit is $3,300 (up from $3,250 for 2013) for self-only HDHP coverage or $6,550 (up from $6,450 for 2013) for family HDHP coverage. To qualify as an HDHP for 2014, the annual deductible must be at least $1,250 for self-only coverage or $2,500 for family coverage, the same annual deductible as for 2013. For 2014, the maximum annual out-of-pocket expenses for HDHP coverage may not exceed $6,350 (up from $6,250 for 2013) for self-only coverage or $12,700 (up from $12,500 for 2013) for family coverage.
Eligible individual means an individual who: (1) is covered by an HDHP; (2) is not also covered by any other health plan that is not an HDHP (with certain exceptions for plans providing certain types of limited coverage); (3) is not enrolled in Medicare; and (4) may not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. See § 223(c)(1).
Limited-purpose health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) means a health FSA described in a cafeteria plan that only pays or reimburses permitted coverage benefits (as defined in § 223(c)(2)(C)), such as vision care, dental care or preventive care (as defined for purposes of § 223(c)(2)(C)). See Prop. Treas. Reg. § 1.1255(m)(3).
Limited-purpose health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) means an HRA that only pays or reimburses permitted coverage benefits (as defined in § 223(c)(2)(C)), such as vision care, dental care or preventive care. See Rev. Rul. 2004-45, 2004-1 C.B. 971.
Post-deductible health FSA means a health FSA in a cafeteria plan that only pays or reimburses medical expenses (as defined in § 213(d)) for preventive care or medical expenses incurred after the minimum annual HDHP deductible under § 223(c)(2)(A)(i) is satisfied. No medical expenses incurred before the annual HDHP deductible is satisfied may be reimbursed by a post-deductible FSA, regardless of whether the HDHP covers the expense or whether the deductible is later satisfied. See Prop. Treas. Reg. § 1.125-5(m)(4).
Post-deductible HRA means an HRA that only pays or reimburses medical expenses (as defined in § 213(d)) for preventive care or medical expenses incurred after the minimum annual HDHP deductible under § 223(c)(2)(A)(i) is satisfied. No medical expenses incurred before the annual HDHP deductible is satisfied may be reimbursed by a post-deductible HRA, regardless of whether the HDHP covers the expense or whether the deductible is later satisfied. See Rev. Rul. 2004-45.
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- Important definitions
- Distributions from HSAs
- Eligible individuals
- Prohibited transactions
- High deductible health plans (HDHPs)
- Establishing an HSA
- Contributions to HSAs
- Administrative fees
Note: For 2014, the HSA annual contribution limit is $3,300 (up from $3,250 for 2013) for self-only HDHP coverage or $6,550 (up from $6,450 for 2013) for family HDHP coverage. To qualify as an HDHP for 2014, the annual deductible must be at least $1,250 for self-only coverage or $2,500 for family coverage, the same annual deductible as for 2013. For 2014, the maximum annual out-of-pocket expenses for HDHP coverage may not exceed $6,350 (up from $6,250 for 2013) for self-only coverage or $12,700 (up from $12,500 for 2013) for family coverage.
DEFINITIONS
Eligible individual means an individual who: (1) is covered by an HDHP; (2) is not also covered by any other health plan that is not an HDHP (with certain exceptions for plans providing certain types of limited coverage); (3) is not enrolled in Medicare; and (4) may not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. See § 223(c)(1).
Limited-purpose health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) means a health FSA described in a cafeteria plan that only pays or reimburses permitted coverage benefits (as defined in § 223(c)(2)(C)), such as vision care, dental care or preventive care (as defined for purposes of § 223(c)(2)(C)). See Prop. Treas. Reg. § 1.1255(m)(3).
Limited-purpose health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) means an HRA that only pays or reimburses permitted coverage benefits (as defined in § 223(c)(2)(C)), such as vision care, dental care or preventive care. See Rev. Rul. 2004-45, 2004-1 C.B. 971.
Post-deductible health FSA means a health FSA in a cafeteria plan that only pays or reimburses medical expenses (as defined in § 213(d)) for preventive care or medical expenses incurred after the minimum annual HDHP deductible under § 223(c)(2)(A)(i) is satisfied. No medical expenses incurred before the annual HDHP deductible is satisfied may be reimbursed by a post-deductible FSA, regardless of whether the HDHP covers the expense or whether the deductible is later satisfied. See Prop. Treas. Reg. § 1.125-5(m)(4).
Post-deductible HRA means an HRA that only pays or reimburses medical expenses (as defined in § 213(d)) for preventive care or medical expenses incurred after the minimum annual HDHP deductible under § 223(c)(2)(A)(i) is satisfied. No medical expenses incurred before the annual HDHP deductible is satisfied may be reimbursed by a post-deductible HRA, regardless of whether the HDHP covers the expense or whether the deductible is later satisfied. See Rev. Rul. 2004-45.
Click here to read the full list of Questions and Answers.