Can you have both HRA and HSA?

Asked by: Anibal Dibbert  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (41 votes)

Healthcare spending accounts, such as Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), help individuals and families pay for medical expenses. ... The answer is yes, you can have an HRA and HSA at the same time, under specific circumstances.

Can you have both an HRA and FSA?

While an employee can have both an HRA and an FSA at the same time, the same expense cannot be reimbursed from both accounts. The IRS states that special coordination rules should be implemented to determine whether the HRA or FSA should be used first.

Is an HRA and an HSA the same thing?

HRAs are usually unfunded notional accounts, with no cash value. An HSA is a tax-advantaged account that can be used to pay for IRS-defined health care expenses, including long-term care and COBRA premiums.

How do HRA and HSA work together?

The HRA reimburses all deductible expenses above $1,500. You're eligible to fund an HSA since your HRA is now an HSA-qualified medical plan as well. You can use HSA funds to reimburse the first $1,500 of deductible expenses tax-free before the HRA begins to reimburse your claims.

Is an HRA a high deductible health plan?

High Deductible Health Plans are generally offered by employers who offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) plan, or a Health Reimbursement Arrangement(HRA) plan.

Can I have an HRA and an HSA at the same time? #AskTheMoneyGuy

31 related questions found

What can you buy with an HRA account?

HRA - You can use your HRA to pay for eligible medical, dental, or vision expenses for yourself or your dependents enrolled in the HRA. Your employer determines which health care expenses are eligible under your HRA. Refer to your plan documents for more details.

How much should you contribute to HSA?

As of 2017, you can contribute a maximum of $3,400 to an individual HSA or $6,750 to an HSA for your family, according to the IRS. If you're 55 or older, you get to contribute another $1,000 on top of that. It's important to note that there can't be joint owners on an HSA.

What is the difference between HSA FSA and HRA?

HSAs, HRAs and FSAs are accounts used to save on taxes and pay for qualified medical, prescription, dental and vision expenses. ... HSA is health savings account. HRA is health reimbursement account or arrangement. FSA is flexible spending account or arrangement.

How much can I contribute to HSA 2021?

2021 HSA contribution limits have been announced

The maximum out-of-pocket has been capped at $7,000. An individual with family coverage under a qualifying high-deductible health plan (deductible not less than $2,800) can contribute up to $7,200 — up $100 from 2020 — for the year.

Is HRA use it or lose it?

An HRA is a type of healthcare account, funded entirely by your employer; employees cannot contribute to an HRA. ... Per IRS guidelines, all medical expenses paid for with HRA funds must be substantiated. In general, HRAs have no "use-it-or-lose it" policy.

How can I use my HRA money?

You can use the funds in your HRA to pay for eligible medical expenses, as determined by the IRS and your employer. Some employers may only allow the HRA to pay for services covered by your health plan. Some employers may also let you use funds in the account to pay for dental, vision or other services.

What is the downside of an HSA?

What are some potential disadvantages to health savings accounts? Illness can be unpredictable, making it hard to accurately budget for health care expenses. Information about the cost and quality of medical care can be difficult to find. Some people find it challenging to set aside money to put into their HSAs .

Do you lose money in HSA account?

With an HSA, there's no “use it or lose it” provision. This is one of the primary differences between an HSA and an FSA. If you put money in your HSA and then don't withdraw it, it will remain in the account and be available to you in future years.

Should I use my HSA or save it?

Consider these reasons for saving:

When you use HSA funds for qualified medical expenses, you don't pay taxes. The money you contribute to your account, any earnings and any withdrawals for qualified expenses -- all are tax-free. These tax advantages can make for compelling reasons to save in your HSA.

Can I buy diapers with HSA?

Diapers are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement arrangements (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSA) or limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA).

Can I use HSA for gym membership?

Can I use my HSA for a gym membership? Typically no. Unless you have a letter from your doctor stating that the membership is necessary to treat an injury or underlying health condition, such as obesity, a gym membership isn't a qualifying medical expense.

Can you buy toilet paper with HSA?

Lively, my pick for the top HSA account, maintains a very thorough list of qualified medical expenses that has been updated. Items like common deodorant, shampoo, soap, and toilet paper are not eligible.

What happens to HSA at end of year?

HSA money is yours to keep. Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), unused money in your HSA isn't forfeited at the end of the year; it continues to grow, tax-deferred. ... HSAs are portable and move with you if you change employment. Your HSA belongs to you, not your employer, just like your personal checking account.

Does HSA money expire?

HSAs are different. The money you contribute to an HSA has no “expiration date.” You can withdraw funds you need to pay for everyday out-of-pocket health care expenses or save them for care you may need years down the road.

Should I invest my HSA dollars?

Investing your HSA funds can be a great way to save for the future. But it's generally only a good option if you're not consistently dipping into the account to cover current medical expenses.

Can I use HSA to pay insurance premiums?

HSA funds generally may not be used to pay premiums. ... HSA funds roll over year to year if you don't spend them. An HSA may earn interest or other earnings, which are not taxable. Some health insurance companies offer HSAs for their HDHPs.

Can I use my HRA to pay for insurance premiums?

A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) isn't traditional health coverage through a job. Your employer contributes a certain amount to the HRA. You use the money to pay for qualifying medical expenses. For some types of HRA, you can also use the money to pay monthly premiums for a health plan you buy yourself.

What are qualified HRA expenses?

An eligible HRA expense is any healthcare expense incurred by an employee, their spouse, or dependent, that is approved by the IRS and eligible for reimbursement under your specific company plan. Refer to your enrollment materials for the details of your plan.

What happens to money left in HRA?

Unused HRA money stays with the company. HRA money can be used to pay for family medical expenses.

What happens to unused HRA funds after death?

Amounts remaining in the account at death can be used to reimburse qualified medical expenses for the spouse or dependents of the deceased employee/retiree. The terms of the Plan would dictate how this continued coverage will be provided.