What Are HSA Eligible Plans?
An HSA eligible plan is an inexpensive health insurance plan that generally doesn't pay for the first several thousand dollars of health care expenses (i.e. your 'deductible') but will generally cover you after that. Of course, your HSA is available to help you pay for the expenses your plan does not cover.
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Tax-Preferred Savings: HSA eligible plan when combined with an HSA provides insurance coverage and a tax-advantaged way to help save for future medical expenses.
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Flexibility and Ownership: The HSA gives you greater flexibility and discretion over how you use your health care dollars.
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Affordable Health Coverage: HSA eligible plans are often significantly more affordable than the coverage under a traditional health plan, depending on the benefits you choose to receive.
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An HSA eligible plan may provide preventive care benefits without a deductible or with a deductible below the minimum annual deductible.
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A Range of Coverage: HSA eligible plans have:
- A higher annual deductible than typical health plans.
- A maximum limit on the out-of-pocket medical expenses (including the deductible).
The following table shows the minimum annual deductible and maximum annual deductible and other out-of-pocket expenses for HSA eligible plans for 2008 and shows the increase for 2009.
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Type of Coverage
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Minimum Annual Deductible 2008
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Minimum Annual Deductible 2009
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Maximum Annual Out-of-Pocket Expenses 2008
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Maximum Annual Out-of-Pocket Expenses 2009
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Self-Only
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$1,100
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$1,150
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$5,600
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$5,800
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Family
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$2,200
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$2,300
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$11,200
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$11,600
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Preventive Care
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An HSA eligible plan may provide preventive care benefits without a deductible or with a deductible below the minimum annual deductible. Some examples of preventive care include, but are not limited to:
- Periodic health evaluations, including tests and diagnostic procedures ordered in
connection with routine examinations, such as annual exams
- Routine prenatal and well child care
- Child and adult immunizations
- Tobacco cessation programs
- Obesity weight-loss programs
- Screening services:
-- cancer, health and vascular diseases, infectious diseases, mental health
conditions, substance abuse, metabolic, nutritional, and endocrine conditions,
musculoskeletal disorders, obstetric and gynecologic conditions, pediatric
conditions, vision and hearing disorders, etc.
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