What is a health savings account plan

Q: What is the difference between a health savings account and a PPO?

If youre choosing among different types of health insurance plans, then you may be weighing a health savings account (HSA) versus a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. An HSA can help you to save money for medical expenses, while a PPO plan confers access to a network of healthcare providers.

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Table of Contents Show

What is a health savings account and how does it work?
What is the downside of an HSA?
What are the pros and cons of HSA?
What is the difference between a health savings account and a PPO?

Bank of America, N.A. makes available The HSA for Life® Health Savings Account as a custodian only. The HSA for Life is intended to qualify as a Health Savings Account (HSA) as set forth in Internal Revenue Code section 223. However, the account beneficiary establishing the HSA is solely responsible for ensuring satisfaction of eligibility requirements set forth in IRC sec 223. If an individual/employee establishes a HSA and s/he is not otherwise eligible, s/he will be subject to adverse tax consequences. In addition, an employer making contributions to the HSA of an ineligible individual may also be subject to tax consequences. We recommend that applicants and employers contact qualified tax or legal counsel before establishing a HSA.

Bank of America does not sponsor or maintain the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) / Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA) that you establish. The programs are sponsored and maintained solely by the employer offering the plan, or by an individual establishing an independent plan. Bank of America acts solely as claims administrator performing administrative tasks pursuant to an agreement with, and at the direction of, the sponsoring employer or individual under an independent plan. The sponsoring employer or individual under an independent plan is solely responsible for ensuring such arrangements comply with all applicable laws.

The planning tools and information calculators are illustrative only, and accuracy is not guaranteed. They are intended to provide a comparative tool for various consumer health care options and potential costs and savings of those options. Bank of America and its affiliates are not tax or legal advisors. The calculators are not intended to offer any tax, legal or financial advice and do not assure the availability of or your eligibility for any specific product offered by Bank of America or its affiliates. Please consult with qualified professionals to discuss your situation. This site may contain links to third-party content, which may be articles, videos, or calculators, regarding health plans only as a convenience. Some articles, videos and calculators may have been written and produced by third parties not affiliated with Bank of America or any of its affiliates.

Neither Bank of America nor any of its affiliates or employees provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions. This material should be regarded as general information on health care considerations and is not intended to provide specific health care advice.

If you have questions regarding your particular health care situation, please contact your health care, legal or tax advisor.

Please consult with your own attorney or tax advisor to understand the tax and legal consequences of establishing and maintaining a HSA, FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and/or HRA plan.

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Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Mutual Fund investment offerings for the Bank of America HSA are made available by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). Investments in mutual funds are held in an omnibus account at MLPF&S in the name of Bank of America, N.A., for the benefit of all HSA account owners. Recommendations as to HSA investment menu options are provided to Bank of America, N.A. by the Chief Investment Office (“CIO”), Global Wealth & Investment Management (“GWIM”), a division of BofA Corp. The CIO, which provides investment strategies, due diligence, portfolio construction guidance and wealth management solutions for GWIM clients, is part of the Investment Solutions Group (ISG) of GWIM.

Investment products:

Are Not FDIC Insured

Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are available to members who enroll in a high deductible health plan (HDHP), are enrolled in Medicare or another health plan, and are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s Federal tax return. The health plan passes through a portion of the health plan premium as a deposit to the HSA each month. The pass through contribution amount is different for a Self Only enrollment than for a Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment. You have the option to make additional, voluntary tax–free contributions to your account, up to the maximum established by law. Federal employees who are enrolled in HDHPs can make pre–tax allotments to their HSAs through their payroll provider or through their health plan’s HSA trustee.. The funds in your HSA can be used to pay for your cost share for your deductible or other qualified medical expenses.

Features of an HSA include:

Your own HSA contributions are tax–deductible or pre–tax (if made by payroll deduction). See IRS Publication 969.
Interest earned on your account is tax–free
Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax–free
Unused funds and interest are carried over, without limit, from year to year
You own the HSA and it is yours to keep — even when you change plans or retire
Your HSA is administered by a trustee/custodian

What is a health savings account and how does it work?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a type of personal savings account you can set up to pay certain health care costs. An HSA allows you to put money away and withdraw it tax free, as long as you use it for qualified medical expenses, like deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and more.

What is the downside of an HSA?

Potential tax drawbacks Prior to age 65, HSA funds withdrawn to pay for nonmedical expenses are considered taxable income. The IRS also levies a 20 percent penalty. Expenses can be audited by the IRS so you should keep receipts for all payments made with HSA funds.

What are the pros and cons of HSA?

You pay less out-of-pocket due to the lower deductible and copay, but pay more each month in premium. HSA plans generally have lower monthly premiums and a higher deductible. You may pay more out-of-pocket for medical expenses, but you can use your HSA to cover those costs, and you pay less each month for your premium.

What is the difference between a health savings account and a PPO?

If you're choosing among different types of health insurance plans, then you may be weighing a health savings account (HSA) versus a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan. An HSA can help you to save money for medical expenses, while a PPO plan confers access to a network of healthcare providers.