HSA News for April 14, 2025
HSA news is compiled weekly by Mr. HSA, Roy Ramthun.
News from Washington
Senate Confirms Paul Atkins as SEC Chairman
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Paul Atkins as the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins was also an SEC commissioner under President George W. Bush from 2002 through 2008, focusing on the financial services industry and securities regulation.
HSA Studies & Analysis
“Mr. HSA” Finalizes 2026 HSA Projections
Roy Ramthun, "Mr. HSA," has finalized his projections for the HSA amounts for 2026. There were a few changes from the January predictions due to slightly higher inflation. The IRS will make these amounts official in the coming weeks. However, everyone can start making the necessary adjustments now.
State of the HSA Market: Continued Growth, Crossing the $150B Balance Threshold
Fans and followers of HSA markets eagerly await the Devenir Research semi-annual market survey that is published each April and October. What distinguishes the Devenir report from others is its breadth and consistency. What did we learn from the 2024 year-end report, which was issued earlier this month? HSAs remain healthy and viable.
HSA Deposit Rate Update – March 2025
New data collected last quarter showed that HSA deposit rates were basically unchanged after climbing steadily in 2023 and 2024. Both the $1,000 and $25,000 balance were unchanged, while the $10,000 balance dipped slightly. With the slight decrease or no change in HSA deposit rates, rates appear to have leveled off and may start to pull back.
Compliance Corner
Can Spouses With Self-Only HDHP Coverage Share Their HSA Contribution Limits?
Is it permissible for an employee with HSA-qualified self-only coverage to contribute more than the self-only limit to her HSA because her spouse, who also has self-only coverage and an HSA, will not be making an HSA contribution? No. There are two HSA contribution limits: one for individuals with self-only coverage and another for individuals with family coverage. In this case, neither spouse has family coverage.
Best Practices
Supporting Financial Wellness with HSAs and FSAs
Employees have expressed a growing desire to improve their financial literacy and knowledge, and they want help from employers to achieve this goal. HSAs and FSAs are desirable and effective tools in a company's financial wellness toolkit. Here's how to ensure that employees get the most value from their tax-preferred investments.
Market Trends
Employers Support HSA Changes to Make Them More Flexible
According to a recent survey of large employers by Mercer, employers said the most important changes to HSAs would be: (1) allowing HSA funds to be used for long-term care services; (2) allowing telemedicine and mental health services to be covered pre-deductible; and (3) higher annual HSA contributions limits.
HSAs & Retirement
Retiring Early? HSA Funds Will Not Provide a Tax-free Bridge to Medicare at Age 65.
I plan to retire before age 65 so I’ll have to buy non-group coverage until I am eligible to enroll in Medicare. Can I reimburse premiums for this coverage tax-free from my HSA? No, only if you’re collecting federal or state unemployment benefits, or if you continue your former employer coverage by exercising your COBRA rights. Here's why.
Maximizing Your HSA
Are Health Savings Accounts Tax Deductible?
An HSA is a savings account that allows you to set aside pre-tax funds to cover qualified medical expenses. You can potentially pay for copayments, insurance coverage or deductibles from this account without having to tap into your savings. If used correctly, HSAs can give you a triple-tax advantage. Here’s what you need to know.
Consumer-Driven Health Care
Why Patients Are Getting Hit with Surprise Hospital Fees for Routine Medical Care
The next time you go to the doctor's office, you may not know whether or not they're affiliated with a hospital system. If they are, your bill for a routine visit may include some surprising extra charges fees that go to the hospital even if you never stepped a foot inside it. Here's why that happens.
Will Your Employees' Doctors Really Take Medical Cards?
Employers considering offering medical credit card programs as an employee benefit may wonder how many health care providers really take the cards. Researchers' answer: It depends. In some specialties, more than 20% of the providers take the cards. In other specialties, very few providers take the cards.