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HSAs Provide Tax-Free Health Care Savings

Posted by : Craig | Posted on : Friday, June 26, 2009

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By Michelle Studer

Many Americans are feeling the pinch these days from ever-increasing health care costs, and a comprehensive solution to this problem still needs to be found. That being said, a health savings account (HSA) can ease the burden of high deductibles in the here-and-now. Anyone under the age of 65 who purchases an eligible high-deductible health insurance policy – either through an employer or on their own – can set up an HSA, which supplements high-deductible health insurance policy coverage through the use of tax-free, user-contributed savings.  For the 2009 tax year, a policy qualifies as high-deductible if it meets both of the following conditions:

  •  The policy’s annual deductible is at least $1,150 for an individual or $2,300 for a family.

 

  •  Yearly out-of-pocket health care expenses do not exceed $5,800 (individual) or $11,600 (family).

 Eligible policyholders can add funds to their HSA account by contributing up to $3,000 per year in pre-tax income (up to $4,000 per year if you’re 55 or older). HSA users also earn tax-free interest on their contributions, and fee-free withdrawals can be made at any time for health care expenses. Employers can contribute funds to HSAs as well, and unlike a flexible spending account there is no “use by” deadline tied to an HSA. 

Even though there are substantial tax and savings benefits to an HSA, it also contains drawbacks in the form of limited usage and contribution amounts. Users who withdraw HSA funds for any purpose other than health care are hit with heavy penalty fees, and the yearly maximum for contribution amounts is relatively small compared to the astronomical cost of a major medical procedure not covered by insurance. Despite these limitations, however, HSAs provide eligible policyholders with a long-term, cost-effective way to offset out-of-pocket health care costs.

Comments : 13 Comments | Category : Health Care | Tags :

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13 Comments

  1. Anita soni, May 28, 2010:

    really, a very good information for aforesaid subject.
    Six Sigma DPMO

  2. Face Lift, June 26, 2010:

    This is absolutely tax save Free Health savings account comprehensive solution to this problem Thanks lot.

  3. natural baby care, June 26, 2010:

    substantial tax and savings benefits to an HSA, yearly maximum for contribution amounts is relatively small compared to the astronomical cost keep up the good work

  4. nioxin shampoo, June 28, 2010:

    Tax free health care savings benefits to an HSA nterest on their contributions, and fee-free withdrawals can be made. thank a lot.

  5. Sydney Rhinoplasty, June 28, 2010:

    Good information to the free tax health HSAs The policy’s annual deductible is at least $1,150 for an individual family’s.

  6. Sydney Dermal Fillers, June 28, 2010:

    Glad to see you’re back. ge of 65 who purchases an eligible high-deductible health insurance policy – either through an employer thanks for the post! I liked it!

  7. Face Lift Sydney, June 28, 2010:

    Well I had a nice day today! Eligible poly policyholders can add funds to their HSA account by contributing up to $3,000 per Annam in pre-tax income thanks a lot.

  8. colon cleansing, June 28, 2010:

    Great work buddy,Free HSAs Health care account and tax and savings benefits also. keep it up

  9. physician, July 7, 2010:

    it is the good information how the health savings account(hsa)provide the tax free health care

  10. Pension release, April 1, 2011:

    Tax–free cash and pension fund are very interesting.

  11. Dermal Fillers Melbourne, April 6, 2011:

    health care services should always be tax free. on the other hand, a cosmetic surgery and the likes should be the one added with a tax instead not the savings or health care.

  12. I have never heard such a bigger outright lie come out of an elected official (Obama) as the paying for health care through wasteful spending. He must think we the people are stupid and he is lord all mighty.

  13. Kenny Norrie, August 9, 2011:

    The very heart of your writing whilst appearing reasonable at first, did not really sit well with me after some time. Somewhere throughout the sentences you actually were able to make me a believer unfortunately only for a very short while. I still have a problem with your jumps in logic and you would do nicely to fill in those gaps. In the event you can accomplish that, I would surely be amazed.


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