More people concerned with the cost of medical care and looking to make practical choices for their future are choosing Health Insurance Savings Accounts also known as a Health Savings Account (HSA).
Relatively new this type of savings account for health care was established in 2003 as an improvement on past medical savings systems like medical savings accounts (MSA), one major plus is any funds in the account that are not used roll over every year and remain the property of the owner/saver and are not subject to being taxed.
Essentially a health insurance savings account is a tax deferred savings account available to citizens of the US who are enrolled in a (HDHP) or high deductible health plan.
Deposits into the health savings account are to be used for qualified medical expenses and are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit nor is interest taxed while it accrues.
An HDHP features higher annual deductibles than traditional health plans.
At this writing a minimum deductible of $1,100 for an individual and $2,200 for self and family coverage.
Anyone under the age of 65 enrolled in a high deductible health plan can open a Health Savings Account.
You may not be covered by any other health plan that is not a HDHP.
Other disability, dental, vision and long-term care plans are okay though.
There are limits to the amount of deposits that can be made in any one year - in 2007 these limits are $2,850 for an individual and $5,650 for a family.
For workers over the age of 54 and under the age of 65 there is an additional $800 catch up deposit allowance that they can make.
Deposits to a health savings account may be made by an individual or by their employer or some other person.
If the contributions from an employer are not made on a pre-tax basis then they can be paid on a post tax basis and the tax claimed back on the following year's 1040 Form.
Making pre-tax contributions however can benefit both the employer and the employee as both will make a tax saving of 7.
65%.
It is argued that Health Insurance Savings accounts will benefit only high income earners however a study conducted by the Galen Institute suggests low income earners may find them attractive also because, lower income workers are more likely to see the value of the savings opportunity than higher income employees, since a savings of a thousand dollars a year is more valuable for someone making $25,000 a year than for someone making $100K.
A person who has their own HSA is not under any obligation to contribute to an employer sponsored health savings account.
Participants do not need approval from their HSA trustee or medical insurer to withdraw funds and funds withdrawn for legitimate medical expenses are not subject to taxation.
These expenses include dental care and vision, as well as eye glasses and hearing aids where necessary.
Bank cards attached to your Health Savings Account will make using your HSA at the pharmacy or health care provider very convenient.
Filling out claim forms is not required to receive reimbursement from Section 125 plans, the HSA bank card will act just like your ATM card.
Funds can be withdrawn for any reason and at any time but those not withdrawn for medical expenses are subject to tax and to a ten percent penalty - other than if the person has reached the age of 65.
It is conceivable that a person in reasonably good health can accrue in a few years a good sum of money.
Age, health and whether employer contributions are made will determine exactly how much.
Search online and then consult with a professional to determine what is the best health insurance savings account plan for you, to start saving now rather than later.
Relatively new this type of savings account for health care was established in 2003 as an improvement on past medical savings systems like medical savings accounts (MSA), one major plus is any funds in the account that are not used roll over every year and remain the property of the owner/saver and are not subject to being taxed.
Essentially a health insurance savings account is a tax deferred savings account available to citizens of the US who are enrolled in a (HDHP) or high deductible health plan.
Deposits into the health savings account are to be used for qualified medical expenses and are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit nor is interest taxed while it accrues.
An HDHP features higher annual deductibles than traditional health plans.
At this writing a minimum deductible of $1,100 for an individual and $2,200 for self and family coverage.
Anyone under the age of 65 enrolled in a high deductible health plan can open a Health Savings Account.
You may not be covered by any other health plan that is not a HDHP.
Other disability, dental, vision and long-term care plans are okay though.
There are limits to the amount of deposits that can be made in any one year - in 2007 these limits are $2,850 for an individual and $5,650 for a family.
For workers over the age of 54 and under the age of 65 there is an additional $800 catch up deposit allowance that they can make.
Deposits to a health savings account may be made by an individual or by their employer or some other person.
If the contributions from an employer are not made on a pre-tax basis then they can be paid on a post tax basis and the tax claimed back on the following year's 1040 Form.
Making pre-tax contributions however can benefit both the employer and the employee as both will make a tax saving of 7.
65%.
It is argued that Health Insurance Savings accounts will benefit only high income earners however a study conducted by the Galen Institute suggests low income earners may find them attractive also because, lower income workers are more likely to see the value of the savings opportunity than higher income employees, since a savings of a thousand dollars a year is more valuable for someone making $25,000 a year than for someone making $100K.
A person who has their own HSA is not under any obligation to contribute to an employer sponsored health savings account.
Participants do not need approval from their HSA trustee or medical insurer to withdraw funds and funds withdrawn for legitimate medical expenses are not subject to taxation.
These expenses include dental care and vision, as well as eye glasses and hearing aids where necessary.
Bank cards attached to your Health Savings Account will make using your HSA at the pharmacy or health care provider very convenient.
Filling out claim forms is not required to receive reimbursement from Section 125 plans, the HSA bank card will act just like your ATM card.
Funds can be withdrawn for any reason and at any time but those not withdrawn for medical expenses are subject to tax and to a ten percent penalty - other than if the person has reached the age of 65.
It is conceivable that a person in reasonably good health can accrue in a few years a good sum of money.
Age, health and whether employer contributions are made will determine exactly how much.
Search online and then consult with a professional to determine what is the best health insurance savings account plan for you, to start saving now rather than later.
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