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Health Savings Account (HSA)

Demystifying Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

People who have Health Savings Accounts love them. They enjoy the lowered premiums. They especially like the ability to fund their own healthcare with pre-tax dollars. Instead of paying the insurance company high monthly premiums for benefits you might not use, you can use these funds to create your own savings account. 

Unlike cafeteria/flex plans, the dollars you put into your HSA continue to grow and grow, year after year. Even better, these funds can be used for popular things which most health plans currently do not cover such as alternative care, acupuncture, chiropractic care, naturopathic, dental, vision etc. This is why HSAs are so popular.

What Is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged account created for or by individuals covered under high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to save for qualified medical expenses. Contributions are made into the account by the individual and are limited to a maximum amount each year. The contributions are invested over time and can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses, such as medical, dental, and vision care, as well as prescription drugs.

Remember you must have an HSA qualified health plan to put money away in your Health Savings Account.

HSA Overview

A Health Savings Account is a tax-advantaged account to help people save for medical expenses that are not reimbursed by high-deductible HSA qualified health plans.
No tax is levied on contributions to an HSA, on the HSA’s earnings, or on distributions used to pay for qualified medical expenses.
Contribution maximums are set by the IRS and usually go up each year.
Unused account balances are carried forward each year and can be used at retirement, similar to an IRA.

HSA Benefits include:

Known as the “Super IRA”
Low premiums
Like a cafeteria plan except funds roll over; money grows year after year!
Can be used for Alternative, Naturopathic, Chiropractic & Dental
Oregon residents can pay for qualified medical expenses with pre-tax dollars and save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.

Smart Health works with Oregon insurance providers that offer health plans compatible with an HSA. Compare HSA-compatible health plans in Oregon and select the plan that works best for you and your family.

Advantages of a Health Savings Account

You may save money in the short and long term by:
Deducting 100% of your HSA contributions from your taxable income
Having the money in your HSA accrue interest and/or gains on a tax-free basis
Paying no penalties or taxes when you use your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses
Having a high-deductible HSA-compatible health insurance plan, which typically has a lower premium than a plan with a lower deductible

Common IRS-Qualified Medical Expenses

Acupuncture
Ambulance
Artificial limbs
Artificial teeth*
Birth control treatment
Blood sugar test kits for diabetics
Breast pumps and lactation supplies
Chiropractor
Contact lenses and solutions*
Crutches
Dental treatments (including X-rays, cleanings, fillings, sealants, braces and tooth removals*)
Doctor’s office visits and co-pays
Drug addiction treatment
Drug prescriptions
Eyeglasses (Rx and reading)*
Fluoride treatments*
Feminine hygiene products
Fertility enhancement (including in-vitro fertilization)
Flu shots
Guide dogs
Hearing aids and batteries
Infertility treatment
Inpatient alcoholism treatment
Contact lenses and solutions*
Insulin
Laboratory fees
Laser eye surgery*
Medical alert bracelet
Medical records charges
Midwife
Occlusal guards to prevent teeth grinding
Orthodontics*
Orthotic Inserts (custom or off the shelf)
Over-the-counter medicines and drugs (see more information below)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks and hand sanitize
Physical therapy
Special education services for learning disabilities (recommended by a doctor)
Speech therapy
Stop-smoking programs (including nicotine gum or patches, if prescribed)
Surgery, excluding cosmetic surgery
Dental treatments (including X-rays, cleanings, fillings, sealants, braces and tooth removals*)
Vaccines
Vasectomy
Vision exam*
Walker, cane

Common Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines

Examples include, but are not limited to:
Acne medicine
Aids for indigestion
Anti-diarrheal medicine
Anti-diarrheal medicine
Baby rash ointment
Cold and flu medicine
Eye drops*
Feminine antifungal or anti-itch products
Hemorrhoid treatment
Laxatives or stool softeners
Lice treatments
Motion sickness medicines
Nasal sprays or drops
Ointments for cuts, burns or rashes
Pain relievers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
Sleep aids
Stomach remedies

Explore HSA Coverage Today

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Lake Oswego, OR

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