Health Accounts Illustrated

The IRS has provided guidance on a variety of issues pertaining to health savings accounts (HSAs). The 42 questions and answers of Notice 2008- 59 address such issues as eligibility for individuals with “limited purpose” coverage by a health flexible spending account (FSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). The guidance also covers eligibility for an HSA when an accompanying high-deductible health plan features both a family, or “umbrella,” deductible and an embedded individual deductible. If a limited-purpose FSA or HRA covers post-deductible expenses above the individual, but below the umbrella, deductible, an individual can still remain eligible for an HSA.