Health savings accounts
An HSA is a tax-advantaged account that helps you pay for qualified medical expenses. You can have an HSA if you are enrolled in the CDHP or Local CDHP plans offered by the State Group Insurance Program. Read more below on how to make the most of your HSA.
What is an HSA?
An HSA is designed to work with a qualifying CDHP, or consumer-driven health plan (known as a Local CDHP/HSA for some plan members). The money goes in tax-free, grows income tax-free and comes out income tax-free when you use it for qualified medical expenses. You can carry over unused funds from year to year and the account is yours to keep even if you change jobs, change health plans or retire.
How an HSA works
The money goes into your HSA income tax-free on a payroll pretax basis, grows income tax-free and comes out income tax-free when you use it for qualified medical expenses. The account is yours to keep even if you change jobs, change health plans or retire. Also, you can carry over unused funds from year to year.
Check with your employer to see if payroll deduction into your HSA is provided; if not, you may make after-tax deposits to your HSA and take an above-the-line credit in order to reduce your tax liability when you file your tax return.
Who is eligible to open an HSA?
To be eligible for an HSA, you must meet the following requirements, as defined by the IRS:
- You must be covered under a qualifying high-deductible health plan on the first day of the month.
- You have no other health coverage except what is permitted by the IRS.
- You can’t be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
- You are not enrolled in Medicare, TRICARE or TRICARE for Life.
- You haven’t received Veterans Affairs benefits within the past three months, except for preventive care. If you have a disability rating from the VA, this exclusion doesn’t apply.
- You do not qualify for a medical flexible spending account if you are enrolled in the CDHP/HSA. You may, however, have a limited purpose FSA for vision and dental expenses only.
Other restrictions and exceptions may also apply. We recommend that you consult a tax, legal or financial advisor to discuss your personal circumstances.
Additional resources
Getting started with your HSA
Optum Bank HSA courses
Enroll in an Optum Bank Academy course to learn more about the features and capabilities of your HSA.
New account holder checklist
Put your HSA to work for you.
HSA contribution limits
Max out your HSA this year with contribution limits set by the IRS.
How to use your HSA
How to make an HSA contribution online
Learn how to make an online after-tax deposit into your HSA.
Paying with an HSA
You have several ways to pay for qualified medical expenses using your HSA.
Managing an HSA
Take charge of paying for qualified medical expenses.
Interest rates and fees
Learn more about fees and interest rates for your HSA.
HSA tax center
Prepare for tax season and get answers to your questions about your taxes.
Optum Bank debit
Mastercard ®
Learn about a fast and convenient way to pay for eligible and qualified medical expenses without submitting paper claim forms.
Investing your HSA
Options to invest your HSA funds
Built up your balance? You can choose to invest your HSA dollars.
HSA mutual fund lineup
View the standard investment options available as part of the HSA for employees.
HSAs: Planning for retirement
Your HSA can be used as part of your broader financial planning to create a savings net.