CancerPoints

Health Savings Accounts
 
Use pre-tax dollars to pay for health insurance premiums and co-pays

 

A Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) is a type of Flexible Spending Account (FSA). These accounts can be used to pay for certain health care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Eligible expenses must be paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation or treatment of a disease or injury. They must be focused on alleviating a physical or mental defect or illness. These expenses can include health insurance premiums, deductibles, co-pays, expenses associated with preexisting conditions, the difference in cost between a semi-private and a private hospital room, lab tests, the cost of non-prescription medicine used to treat injuries or illnesses, and other health-related expenses that aren't covered by insurance.

They are typically used in conjunction with a health insurance plan that has a high deductible (i.e., at least $1,000). The annual limit in 2005 is $2,000. You do not need to itemize in order to take advantage of this tax break.

Note: Any unused money left in your account at the end of the year will be forfeited.

Suggested Reading


Copyright © 2005-2018 by Mark Kantrowitz. All rights reserved.
www.cancerpoints.com

Suggestions and corrections are welcome and should be sent to .