bcbs hsa eligible expenses for healthcare

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From above composition of stack of USA dollar bills placed near medical protective masks produced in China illustrating concept of medical expenses and deficit during COVID 19
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Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) HSA eligible expenses for healthcare are numerous, and understanding what's covered can make a big difference in your out-of-pocket costs.

Many medical expenses are eligible for reimbursement from your HSA, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgeries. These can be claimed as soon as the expense is incurred.

Prescription medications are also eligible, including those prescribed by your doctor for chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

What Are HSAs?

HSAs, or Health Savings Accounts, are a type of savings account that allows you to set aside money on a tax-free basis to pay for qualified medical expenses.

You can use an HSA to save for future medical expenses, such as copays and deductibles, and even pay for some expenses not covered by your health insurance plan.

To be eligible for an HSA, you must have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), which has a minimum deductible amount of $1,400 for individuals and $2,800 for families.

Credit: youtube.com, HSA Eligible Expenses Video

You can use HSA funds to pay for a wide range of qualified medical expenses, including prescription medications, doctor visits, and hospital stays.

HSAs are triple-tax-advantaged, meaning your contributions are tax-deductible, your earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.

In 2022, the annual HSA contribution limit is $3,650 for individuals and $7,300 for families, with an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution allowed for those 55 and older.

HSAs: A Savings Option for Healthcare

You can contribute to your HSA at any time of the year, up to the annual limit.

There are several ways to contribute to your HSA, including setting up a regular deduction from your paycheck before taxes, depositing money that's already been taxed and deducting it from your income on your tax return, or even having your employer contribute to your HSA and save on taxes.

Your employer can also put money into your HSA and save on taxes, too. This is a win-win for both you and your employer.

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Credit: youtube.com, Health Savings Account (HSA) Basics

You can also move money from an IRA to your HSA once, called a one-time rollover.

An "eligible individual" can establish an HSA, which means anyone who is covered under a qualifying high-deductible health plan on the first day of any month, is not covered under another health plan that is not an HDHP, is not entitled to benefits under Medicare, and may not be claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return.

The employer elects a qualifying high-deductible health plan and can contribute money to an HSA, and employees may also contribute to the HSA.

Intriguing read: Bcbs Deductible

HSA-Eligible Expenses

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you can use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses. You can use HSA funds to pay for health plan out-of-pocket costs, including monthly premiums, copays, and deductibles.

Dental services are also HSA-eligible, which means you can use your HSA funds to cover cleanings, orthodontics, and restorative treatments like root canals.

A Person Looking at a Medical Test Result
Credit: pexels.com, A Person Looking at a Medical Test Result

Medications are another area where HSA funds can be used, including prescriptions and some over-the-counter drugs.

Medical equipment, such as crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes, are also eligible expenses.

Mental health services, including psychiatric care, inpatient therapy, and outpatient assessments, can be covered with HSA funds.

Vision services, like eye exams, glasses, contact lenses, and laser eye surgery, are also HSA-eligible.

Here are some examples of HSA-eligible expenses:

  • Health plan out-of-pocket costs: monthly premiums, copays, and deductibles
  • Dental services: cleanings, orthodontics, and restorative treatments, like root canals
  • Medications: prescriptions and some over-the-counter drugs
  • Medical equipment: crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, and canes
  • Mental health services: psychiatric care, inpatient therapy, and outpatient assessments
  • Vision services: eye exams, glasses, contact lenses, and laser eye surgery
  • Women’s health products and services: birth control, infertility treatment, and breast pumps

Health Savings Account (HSA)

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a special tax-exempt trust or custodial account created by the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act in December 2003.

To be eligible for an HSA, you must be covered under a qualifying high-deductible health plan on the first day of any month, and not covered under another health plan that is not an HDHP, with certain exceptions.

An "eligible individual" means an individual who is not entitled to benefits under Medicare, generally has not yet reached age 65, and may not be claimed as a dependent on another person's tax return.

Credit: youtube.com, Health Savings Account (HSA): Qualified Medical Expenses

The employer elects a qualifying high-deductible health plan and can contribute money to an HSA, and employees may also contribute to the HSA.

Unused money in the account can be rolled over from one year to the next, earning compound interest, which allows employees to save for future medical expenses.

Contributions remain in HSA from year to year until they are used, with no "use it or lose it" provision, and the account is owned by the employee, so it can go with them even if they terminate.

Here are the key benefits of an HSA:

  • Employer contributions are excluded from taxable income and employment taxes do not apply.
  • Employee contributions are tax deductible.
  • Tax-free withdrawals can be made for qualified medical expenses.
  • The account can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses not covered by the high-deductible health plan.

Using an HSA

You usually sign up for an HSA once a year during open enrollment. That's when you get a chance to review and adjust your account details.

You can use your HSA funds to pay for eligible medical expenses, which can include copays, deductibles, and prescription medications.

HSA members typically have the flexibility to use their funds to cover a wide range of healthcare costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I not spend HSA on?

HSA funds cannot be used for non-qualified expenses like health club memberships, nutritional supplements, and certain medications. Examples of non-qualified expenses also include babysitting or child care, which may be covered by a dependent care FSA.

Elena Feeney-Jacobs

Junior Writer

Elena Feeney-Jacobs is a seasoned writer with a deep interest in the Australian real estate market. Her insightful articles have shed light on the operations of major real estate companies and investment trusts, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. She has a particular focus on companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and those based in Sydney, offering valuable insights into the local and national economies.

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