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Understanding Health Savings Account-eligible plans

What are Health Savings Account-eligible plans?

One way to manage your health care expenses is to enroll in and open a
 
  • This is a type of savings account that allows you to set aside pre-tax money (before taxes are deducted).
  • You can use the funds to help pay for certain medical costs, which helps lower your taxable income when you file your federal income taxes.

Save money with Health Savings Accounts

You can use the money you put into your Health Savings Account to pay for qualified medical expenses, like your plan’s
, 
, and 
 (but not your plan’s monthly 
). You can also use it to pay for certain medical expenses that your plan doesn’t cover. No matter if you use a lot of health care or a little, a Health Savings Account can work for you:
  • If you don’t need many health care items and services, you may benefit from the lower monthly premium in a Health Savings Account-eligible plan.
  • If you need more care, you’ll save by using the pre-tax money you put into your Health Savings Account to pay for it.
To save money on health care costs through a Health Savings Account, you must enroll in a plan that works with a Health Savings Account, sometimes called “HSA-eligible plans” or “High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs).”

How to find Health Savings Account-eligible plans

  • When you shop for a Marketplace plan, filter to find “HSA-eligible” plans or look for “HSA-eligible” in the plan details. When you preview Marketplace plans and prices, select the “Eligible for an HSA” filter to view all plans in your area that work with Health Savings Accounts.
Notice:
All Bronze and Catastrophic health plans work with Health Savings Accounts. Plans in other categories may also be eligible, depending on their deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.
  • Contact your insurance company to find out if your plan qualifies.  Some insurance companies work with banks to help you set up a Health Savings Account. You can work with any bank or financial institution that offers Health Savings Accounts. 
Learn more about how to set up a Health Savings Account.  

Ask your employer if they offer Health Savings Account-eligible plans

You can also check with your employer to find out if they offer Health Savings Account-eligible plans.
  • If they do, ask if you can contribute through payroll deductions before taxes are taken out, which lowers your taxable income. 
  • Your employer may also contribute to your Health Savings Account tax free. Even if your employer contributes to your Health Savings Account, you own the account and the money in it.
To save money on health care costs through a Health Savings Account, you must enroll in a plan that works with a Health Savings Account. You’ll pay a lower monthly premium and a higher deductible that you must meet before the plan starts to cover medical costs. You can use the money from your Health Savings Account to help pay for services you get, including costs that count toward your plan’s deductible. 

Costs & contribution limits for Health Savings Account-eligible plans

Health Savings Account-eligible plans have both a minimum deductible and a maximum out-of-pocket limit. The deductible counts toward but can’t exceed the out-of-pocket limit. 
To qualify for a Health Savings Account, your plan generally can't cover most non-preventive services until you've met your deductible, so you pay the full cost of services, like doctor visits and prescriptions, until that amount is reached. Preventive care, like checkups and recommended screenings, is still covered at no cost before you meet your deductible.
You choose how much to contribute to your Health Savings Account based on your budget. There is no minimum contribution, but there’s a yearly limit. 
Health Savings Accounts aren’t “use it or lose it.” Your balance rolls over year to year, so you can build up savings to pay for health care items and services you need later. Your balance may also earn interest or investment returns and can grow tax free. As long as you use the funds for qualified medical expenses, you won’t pay taxes or penalties on withdrawals. 
In 2026:
In 2026
 Minimum DeductibleOut-of-Pocket MaximumContribution Limit
Self-only$1,700$8,500$4,400
Family$3,400$17,000$8,750
Plans often have a much higher deductible than the minimum. The out-of-pocket maximum includes your deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. It's the most you'd have to pay in a year. 
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