Medicare Blog

rules for health savings account when family meber is covered under medicare

by Kayli Kessler Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Anyone who is enrolled in an HDHP

High-deductible health plan

In the United States, a high-deductible health plan is a health insurance plan with lower premiums and higher deductibles than a traditional health plan. It is intended to incentivize consumer-driven healthcare. Being covered by an HDHP is also a requirement for having a health savings account. Some HDHP plans also offer additional "wellness" benefits, provided before a deductible is paid. …

(or has coverage through a family member’s HDHP) is eligible to setup an HSA. IRS rules, however, prohibit the active use of HSAs when one has a plan other than an HDHP. The reasoning is that those in non-HDHP plans do not face the same high out-of-pocket cost burdens to justify tax relief.

Your enrollment in Medicare doesn't disqualify your spouse from contributing to (or accepting contribution from others into) their HSA. You can contribute personal funds, either through post-tax payroll (you can set up a payroll deduction to send money directly to your spouse's HSA) or with personal funds.

Full Answer

Is a health savings account (HSA) right for You?

above a minimum level (in 2020, $1,400 for self-only. coverage and $2,800 for family coverage); (2) limit out-of-. pocket expenditures for covered benefits to no more than a. maximum level (in 2020, $6,900 for self-only coverage and. $13,800 for …

Should Medicare employees over 65 have an HSA?

 · While Medicare beneficiaries can continue to withdraw funds from their existing HSA, they cannot continue to make tax-free contributions to the account once they are enrolled in Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries may use existing HSAs to pay for qualified medical expenses until funds are exhausted, at which point the HSA is no longer of use. [6]

Can I pay for family healthcare with an HSA?

Your coverage is self-only (individual coverage), your plan's minimum annual deductible is at least $1,400, and your out-of-pocket annual expense is capped at $7,000. You have family coverage, your...

How much can I contribute to my wife's HSA?

If you enroll in Medicare Part A and/or B, you can no longer contribute pre-tax dollars to your HSA. This is because to contribute pre-tax dollars to an HSA you cannot have any health insurance other than an HDHP. The month your Medicare begins, your account overseer should change your contribution to your HSA to zero dollars per month.

Can I use my HSA funds for my family members although I only have insurance coverage for myself?

Can I use my HSA funds for my family members, although I only have insurance coverage for myself? Yes, you can use your HSA to pay the qualified medical expenses for your spouse and dependents, as long as their expenses are not otherwise reimbursed.

Can I contribute the family amount to HSA if my spouse is on Medicare?

Your spouse on Medicare is not eligible to contribute to an HSA in his or her name, regardless of whether he or she is covered on your medical plan.

Can I have an HSA account if I am on Medicare?

Because Medicare is considered another health plan, you're no longer eligible to contribute money to your HSA once you enroll. That doesn't mean you can't use your HSA along with Medicare. You can still use any funds in your HSA to cover expenses like Medicare premiums, copayments, and deductibles.

Can family members contribute to HSA?

An HSA may receive contributions from an eligible individual or any other person, including an employer or a family member, on behalf of an eligible individual. Contributions, other than employer contributions, are deductible on the eligible individual's return whether or not the individual itemizes deductions.

Can I contribute to an HSA if my spouse is over 65?

ARE YOU 65 OR OVER? (If you or your spouse are 65 or are approaching age 65, seek the advice of a tax professional before making any decisions.) HSA Account — If you are enrolled in an IRS-qualified high-deductible health plan, you may continue to fund an HSA.

Can my spouse use my HSA if they are not on my insurance?

When choosing a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) that qualifies for use with an HSA (qualified HDHP), remember that the IRS views Health Savings Accounts as individually owned, but your employees' HSA funds can be used for their spouses and any other tax dependents—regardless of if they choose individual or family ...

What happens to my HSA when I turn 65?

At age 65, you can take penalty-free distributions from the HSA for any reason. However, in order to be both tax-free and penalty-free the distribution must be for a qualified medical expense. Withdrawals made for other purposes will be subject to ordinary income taxes.

Can you have an HSA account after age 65?

Can I contribute to my HSA if I am age 65 and covered under an HDHP? Yes, you can contribute to your HSA as long as you are an eligible individual and have not enrolled in Medicare Part A, B, or D. Once you enroll in Medicare you may no longer contribute to your HSA.

What are the rules for HSA accounts?

According to federal guidelines, you can open and contribute to a HSA if you: Are covered under a qualifying high-deductible health plan which meets the minimum deductible and the maximum out of pocket threshold for the year. Are not covered by any other medical plan, such as that for a spouse.

Can I use HSA for family members not on my insurance?

Yes. The HSA belongs to the individual not the employer and any eligible individual may open an HSA. As long as you are covered under a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) you may open and contribute to an HSA.

Can I use my HSA for my parents?

You can't contribute any more money to your HSA, unless you switch to another qualified HDHP. But you can use the money that's left in your HSA to cover qualified medical expenses for yourself, your daughter, and your parents (parents are only eligible if qualifying relative dependents, like we mentioned above).

How much can a married couple contribute to an HSA in 2021 over 55?

Spouses with individual HDHPs can contribute up to $3,600 in 2021. If the individual is age 55 or older, an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution can also be contributed. See Catch-up Contributions to learn more.

How long do you have to stop HSA before you can get Medicare?

They must stop making HSA contributions for up to 6 months before enrolling in Medicare. The IRS will consider an individual to have had Medicare (non-HDHP) coverage during those retroactive benefit months for purposes of HSA contribution rules.

What is Medicare copay?

The definition also includes Medicare premiums and copays, a valuable way for Medicare beneficiaries to make use of their unused HSA funds. (Note, however, that premiums for Medicare supplemental policies, also known as Medigap plans, are excluded from the definition and cannot be paid from an HSA). [5]

Can HSA trustees lock a beneficiary's account?

Some HSA trustees may have the ability to lock the beneficiary’s account from any additional contributions, but this is not always the case. It is therefore incumbent on the beneficiary to be aware of the consequences and immediately cease contributing to their HSA upon their date of enrollment in Medicare.

Is HSA a pre-tax tax?

Contributions to an HSA are made on a pre-tax basis; Medicare beneficiaries will be subject to payment of back taxes on any contributions made to the account after their date of Medicare enrollment. The contributions may also be considered “excess contributions” by the IRS and subject to an additional 6% excise tax when those funds are withdrawn. Furthermore, the beneficiary could be subject to a 10% income tax if they enroll in Medicare during their “testing period” for the HSA. [8]

Can Medicare beneficiaries contribute to HSA?

Medicare beneficiaries who continue to contribute funds to a HSA may face IRS penalties including payment of back taxes on their tax-free contribution s and account interest, excise taxes, and additional income taxes. [7]

Can you contest Medicare retroactive penalty?

Contesting Penalties for Contributions Made During the Medicare Retroactive Period. Individuals have no recourse to contest the penalties after they’ve been imposed by the IRS. Steps can be taken, however, to prevent penalties for ineligible contributions.

Can non-HDHP plans be used as HSA?

Therefore, if one has any form of coverage other than a HDHP (including dual coverage under a non-HDHP plan), they are ineligible to setup an HSA.

What is an HSA account?

Health savings accounts (HSAs) are tax-advantaged accounts that you can use to save money to pay for medical care. HSAs are also excellent retirement savings vehicles since the money you contribute grows tax-free and can be withdrawn for any purpose after age 65. Strict rules govern who is eligible to use an HSA, how much money you can contribute, ...

What is a qualifying expense for HSA?

Qualifying expenses must be "primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness.". The IRS provides a long list of qualifying expenses in Publication 502 to help you determine if you can use your HSA funds to pay for a particular product or service.

What is the penalty for withdrawing money from an HSA?

If you withdraw money from an HSA for any reason other than to cover eligible medical expenses, you will be subject to a 20% penalty on the amount withdrawn unless you are age 65 or older. This 20% penalty is double the 10% penalty that applies to early 401 (k) or individual retirement account (IRA) withdrawals.

How old do you have to be to use an HSA?

Strict rules govern who is eligible to use an HSA, how much money you can contribute, and what you can use withdrawals for prior to age 65. Here are the key HSA rules you need to know.

What is considered medical expenses?

The IRS defines qualifying medical expenses as "the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for the purpose of affecting any part or function of the body.". The IRS doesn't consider a medical expense to be "qualifying" just because it may generally benefit your health.

How much can you contribute to a catch up?

If you are age 55 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.

Is HSA distribution taxed?

If you are age 65 or older and withdraw money from your HSA for any reason other than to pay for a qualifying medical or dental service, you are taxed on the distribution at your ordinary income tax rate. In other words, the distribution is treated the same as a withdrawal from a traditional IRA or 401 (k).

How long do you have to stop HSA before you can enroll in Medicare?

Finally, if you decide to delay enrolling in Medicare, make sure to stop contributing to your HSA at least six months before you do plan to enroll in Medicare. This is because when you enroll in Medicare Part A, you receive up to six months of retroactive coverage, not going back farther than your initial month of eligibility. If you do not stop HSA contributions at least six months before Medicare enrollment, you may incur a tax penalty.

Is HSA taxed?

Funds contributed to an HSA are not taxed when put into the HSA or when taken out, as long as they are used to pay for qualified medical expenses. Your employer may oversee your HSA, or you may have an individual HSA that is overseen by a bank, credit union, or insurance company.

Can you use HSA for qualified medical expenses?

If you use the account for qualified medical expenses, its funds will continue to be tax-free. Whether you should delay enrollment in Medicare so you can continue contributing to your HSA depends on your circumstances.

Does HDHP have a deductible?

HDHPs have large deductibles that members must meet before receiving coverage. This means HDHP members pay in full for most health care services until they reach their deductible for the year. Afterwards, the HDHP covers all the member’s costs for the remainder of the year.

When does family HSA coverage start?

Family coverage begins on the 2nd of the month. Not eligible to contribute for that month, but can contribute going forward. Note that they have the option to make this up this missed month using the Last Month Rule . In all of the above examples, HSA coverage exists but due to other factors, the individual has a $0 contribution limit ...

What is family coverage?

Family coverage includes the eligible individual and at least one other individual – whether they are an eligible individual or not.

How long does it take to fill out Form 8889?

It asks you simple questions and fills out Form 8889 correctly for you in about 10 minutes.

Can a child contribute to HSA if they are not 55+?

If child is an eligible individual, family contribution applies (no 55+) but must go into eligible individual’s (child’s) HSA. If child is not an eligible individual, no contribution limit seems to apply.

Can a wife contribute to an HSA if she has only one child?

If only the wife and child are covered by the HSA insurance, a strange situation develops since the wife is not HSA eligible. Based on the IRS rules in Form 969, at least one eligible individual is required to contribute to the HSA:

Can Medicare affect HSA?

Note that Medicare can retroactively affect your HSA coverage. Either way, the IRS test for contribution is called HSA eligibility. It contains 4 rules which are: If any of the above are violated, the individual is not HSA eligible and they cannot open or contribute to an HSA.

Can adult children fund HSA?

Of course, they would need those funds, or you would need to contribute it for them. Note that this is the scenario discussed in Your Adult Children can Fund their HSA. However, note that the parent’s could not fund the HSA in this scenario.

What happens to your medical account at the end of the year?

Any money that is in your account at the end of the year remains in your account to pay for future qualified medical expenses. End of year balances are carried over indefinitely. The account and its funds belong to you, and you retain ownership even if you change health insurance plans, change jobs, or retire.

How to open an HSA?

According to federal guidelines, you can open and contribute to a HSA if you : 1 Are covered under a qualifying high-deductible health plan which meets the minimum deductible and the maximum out of pocket threshold for the year 2 Are not covered by any other medical plan, such as that for a spouse 3 Are not enrolled in Medicare 4 Are not enrolled in TRICARE or TRICARE for Life 5 Are not claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return 6 Are not covered by medical benefits from the Veterans Administration 7 Do not have any disqualifying alternative medical savings accounts, like a Flexible Spending Account or Health Reimbursement Account

What is HDHP insurance?

Generally speaking, a HDHP is a healthcare plan that trades relatively low premiums for relatively high deductibles, as its name implies. To qualify for a HSA that can be opened in combination with a HDHP, the HDHP must meet certain criteria.

Why are HSAs important?

HSAs as Savings/Investing Tools. HSAs offer a tax shelter. For savvy investors this can create an opportunity to accumulate capital gains that can be withdrawn tax-free for medical expenses. Investment options, of course, can become more important if you have a larger HSA balance.

When was HSA established?

HSAs were established in 2003, as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act.

Is HSA tax free?

Withdrawals from a HSA are tax-free provided they're used to pay for qualified medical expenses. These expenses can include payments for dental and vision care—expenditures that some standard medical health insurance plans may not cover.

Is HSA contribution tax deductible?

Contributions to a HSA are tax-deductible. This means contributions will be deducted by payroll for employer-sponsored plans. For other individuals, mainly the self-employed, deductions can be taken when tax filings are made for the year.

Can a divorced mom claim her daughter as a dependent?

Divorced mom who supports elderly parents and does not have custody of her daughter. You and your ex divorced a few years ago, and your ex, who has primary custody, claims your daughter as a tax dependent. Your elderly parents live with you and you claim them as qualifying relative dependents .

Is my daughter covered by my ex's health insurance?

Your parents are enrolled in Medicare, your daughter is covered under your ex's health plan, and you have a non-HDHP plan through your current employer. But your previous employer offered an HDHP, and you stashed away some money in an HSA while you worked there.

Do spouses have separate health insurance?

Spouses have separate health plans, dependent child covered under university insurance. You and your wife each have coverage through your own employers. You have an HDHP that just covers yourself, while your wife has a non-HDHP for her own coverage. You have a 20-year-old son who is a full-time college student.

Can you claim your spouse as a dependent?

Your spouse (regardless of whether you file taxes jointly or separately) Any dependents you claim on your tax return (your children, or a q u alifying relative dependent) and any children who are claimed on your ex-spouse's tax return. Anyone you could have claimed as a dependent, but weren't able to because he or she.

Is my daughter a dependent?

Even though your daughter is not your tax dependent, the IRS considers her to be your dependent (because she qualifies as a dependent for whom you could have claimed) for the purpose of being able to use your HSA funds to cover her medical expenses.

Can my daughter open her own HSA?

This is a good example of how the tax rules (which pertain to HSA contributions and withdrawals) are separate from the insurance rules (which pertain to who is allowed to be covered under your plan). It's also worth noting that your daughter can open her own HSA, since she's covered by your HDHP but files her own taxes.

How much is the deductible for a family plan?

The annual deductible for the family plan is $3,500. This plan also has an individual deductible of $1,500 for each family member. The plan doesn’t qualify as an HDHP because the deductible for an individual family member is less than the minimum annual deductible ($2,800) for family coverage.

What is an HSA account?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-exempt trust or custodial account you set up with a qualified HSA trustee to pay or reimburse certain medical expenses you incur. You must be an eligible individual to qualify for an HSA.

What is HDHP in health insurance?

High deductible health plan (HDHP). An HDHP has: A higher annual deductible than typical health plans, and. A maximum limit on the sum of the annual deductible and out-of-pocket medical expenses that you must pay for covered expenses.

How much is the deductible for family health insurance in 2020?

You have family health insurance coverage in 2020. The annual deductible for the family plan is $5,500. This plan also has an individual deductible of $2,000 for each family member. The plan doesn’t qualify as an HDHP because the deductible for an individual family member is less than the minimum annual deductible ($4,750) for family coverage.

When is HSA deductible for telehealth?

HSA. Telehealth and other remote care coverage with plan years beginning before 2022 is disregarded for determining who is an eligible individual. A high deductible health plan (HDHP) year beginning before 2022 may have a $0 deductible for telehealth and other remote care services.

When is the last month of HDHP coverage?

Under the last-month rule, if you are an eligible individual on the first day of the last month of your tax year (December 1 for most taxpayers), you are considered an eligible individual for the entire year. You are treated as having the same HDHP coverage for the entire year as you had on the first day of the last month if you didn’t otherwise have coverage.

What is a limited purpose FSA?

Limited-purpose health FSA or HRA. These arrangements can pay or reimburse the items listed earlier under Other health coverage except long-term care. Also, these arrangements can pay or reimburse preventive care expenses because they can be paid without having to satisfy the deductible. Suspended HRA.

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