A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

A type of health insurance plan similar to HRAs (see Health Reimbursement Arrangement), but which is owned by workers. An HSA is a tax-preferred savings account and is paired with a high-deductible health plan. Any employer can offer an HSA (or a self-employed individual can set one up on his or her own), and both employers and employees can contribute to it. The worker must pay for all services until the amount of the deductible is reached (in 2013, a minimum of $1,250 for an individual and $2,500 for family coverage). The worker can withdraw money from the HSA to pay for medical services under the deductible. Once the deductible is reached, normal coverage begins. Any unused funds are rolled over at the end of the year. Unlike HRAs, HSAs follow an employee when he or she changes jobs. (Also see Medical Savings Account.)