Can You Open an HSA if Your Employer Doesn’t Offer an HDHP?

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are a popular way to save for medical expenses. They offer significant tax advantages, including tax-free contributions, tax-free earnings, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

However, there is one major requirement for contributing to an HSA: you must be covered by a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). An HDHP is a health insurance plan with a deductible of at least $1,400 for individuals and $2,800 for families in 2023 (these numbers will increase in future years).

So, what if your employer doesn’t offer an HDHP? Can you still open an HSA?

The answer is yes, you can open an HSA even if your employer doesn’t offer an HDHP. However, you will only be able to contribute to your HSA if you are not covered by any other health insurance plan that is not an HDHP.

For example, if you are covered by your spouse’s employer-sponsored health insurance plan, and that plan is not an HDHP, you will not be eligible to contribute to an HSA.

However, there is an exception to this rule. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you can still contribute to an HSA even if you are covered by another health insurance plan that is not an HDHP.

Who is Eligible for an HSA?

To be eligible for an HSA, you must meet the following requirements:

You must be covered by an HDHP.
You cannot be covered by any other health insurance plan that is not an HDHP (with the exception of Medicare Part D).
You must not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.

How to Open an HSA

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can open an HSA with a bank, credit union, or other financial institution. The process is typically simple and can be done online or in person.

Once you have opened an HSA, you can contribute to it on a pre-tax basis. The maximum contribution limit for 2023 is $3,850 for individuals and $7,750 for families.

Benefits of an HSA

HSAs offer a number of benefits, including:

Tax-free contributions: Contributions to an HSA are made on a pre-tax basis, which means they are deducted from your income before taxes are calculated. This can save you a significant amount of money on your taxes.
Tax-free earnings: Earnings on your HSA investments are also tax-free. This means that your HSA can grow faster than a traditional savings account.
Tax-free withdrawals: Withdrawals from an HSA are tax-free if they are used for qualified medical expenses. This includes expenses for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and more.

If you are looking for a way to save for medical expenses, an HSA is a great option. HSAs offer a number of tax advantages that can help you save money on your taxes and grow your savings faster.

However, it is important to remember that HSAs are only available to individuals who are covered by an HDHP. If you are not covered by an HDHP, you will not be able to contribute to an HSA.

If you are not sure if you are eligible for an HSA, you should speak with a licensed agent. They can help you determine if you are eligible and how to open an HSA.