Health Savings Account

What is a health savings account (HSA)?

A health savings account*, or HSA, is a savings account that belongs to you and gives you more flexibility and control over your healthcare dollars. You can set aside money in your HSA to pay for qualified health expenses, which may have tax benefits for you. Your employer can also contribute to your HSA under certain arrangements.

HSA is always paired with a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP), like BlueSaver. That means you must sign up for a certain type of health insurance plan with a high deductible in order to be eligible to set up an HSA.

MySmart$averSM

If you are a high-deductible health plan member, consider opening a MySmart$aver HSA administered by HealthEquity*. An HSA like MySmart$aver allows you to set aside money for qualified health expenses and also works directly with your high-deductible health plan benefits.

Save on premiums.

As a tradeoff for the higher deductible, these HDHPs have a lower monthly premium than "traditional" plans, like PPOs or HMOs. Some of the money you will save on premiums can go into your HSA instead -- as long as you follow a few guidelines.

The money is yours.

All of the funds in your HSA, including any contributions your employer makes, is yours. It stays yours, even if you leave your job, leave your qualifying health plan or retire. In other words, an HSA is not a "use-it-or-lose-it" type of account. For this reason, many people use the HSA as an additional savings and investment account for retirement. 

Know your limits.

It is important to know how much you can contribute to your HSA. If you contribute too much in a calendar year, the extra funds could be taxed. Below are applicable contribution limits:

2021

Minimum annual deductible

Contribution limits

Out-of-pocket maximum
Single: $1,400 Single: $3,600 Single: $7,000
Family: $2,800 Family: $7,200 Family: $14,000

2020

Minimum annual deductible

Contribution limits

Out-of-pocket maximum
Single: $1,400 Single: $3,550 Single: $6,900
Family: $2,800 Family: $7,100 Family: $13,800

What are qualified medical expenses?

Visit HealthEquity's Qualified Medical Expenses Database to learn what qualifies. 
Ambulance, Dental, Nursing, Optometrist, Drugs, Transplant
Open a MySmart$aver Account

Health Savings Account--Videos

Winning with an HSA

Add new horsepower to your financial plan

Save now, cash later

*HealthEquity, Inc. is an independent company that administers Health Savings Accounts to Blue Cross members enrolled in our high-deductible health plans. Members who qualify may open a HSA with any HSA administrator and should seek guidance from a tax professional or financial advisor. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is not engaged in rendering tax, legal or investment advice.