Can you use an HSA to pay for insurance premiums?
Asked by: Miss Josephine Wilderman | Last update: January 17, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (62 votes)
What insurance premiums can be paid with HSA funds?
You can use your HSA to pay for premiums on long term care insurance, COBRA (health insurance you might use if you become unemployed), and even Medicare if you are age 65 or older.
How does HSA work for insurance?
What's a Health Savings Account? 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.
Can HSA pay for gym membership?
Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.
Can HSA funds be used to pay insurance deductible?
You can use an HSA to cover a wide range of routine medical costs, including: Qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses you incur before you've met your HDHP deductible. Medical, dental or vision coinsurance and copayments. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.
Can You Pay The High Deductible Health Insurance Premiums From The HSA (No - with some exceptions)?
Can I use my HSA to pay health insurance premiums if I retire early?
If you pay for your medical expenses out of pocket now, you'll have more saved in your HSA account to help pay for medical expenses once you retire. If you retire before age 65 and you aren't yet eligible for Medicare, you can use money in your HSA to pay your medical coverage premiums.
What is the downside of an HSA?
Drawbacks of HSAs include tax penalties for nonmedical expenses before age 65, and contributions made to the HSA within six months of applying for Social Security benefits may be subject to penalties. HSAs have fewer limitations and more tax advantages than flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?
Why other fitness trackers don't qualify. Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.
Can I use my HSA for vitamins?
In general, vitamins are not considered an HSA eligible expense unless they are prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition.
Can you pay for Peloton with HSA?
The partnership will make it easier for qualified US-based Peloton customers to use pre-tax Health Savings Account (HSA)/Flexible Spending Account (FSA) dollars to purchase applicable Peloton products, saving customers up to 40% off their purchase.
What is the 12 month rule for HSA?
It means you must remain eligible for the HSA until December 31 of the following year. The only exceptions are death or disability. If you violate the testing period requirement, your ineligible contributions become taxable income.
What can I use my HSA for Blue Cross Blue Shield?
- Doctor and hospital visits.
- Copays and coinsurance.
- Prescriptions.
- Some over-the-counter medications like pain relievers, allergy relief, cough suppressants, etc.
- Feminine hygiene products.
- Dental and vision care, including prescription eyeglasses.
- Health insurance or medical expenses if unemployed.
What happens to unused HSA funds?
Unlike many flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), unused HSA funds automatically carry over to the following year. Even if your employer provided the account and made contributions, the account belongs to you — so any remaining funds are carried over every year.
Can you use insurance and HSA together?
See IRS Publication 502 for a list of eligible expenses. Yes, you may use the money in your HSA to pay your spouse's or other covered dependent's uncovered medical expenses. However, you are not allowed to have both an HSA and a Health Care FSA at the same time unless it is a Limited Healthcare FSA (LEX HCFSA).
Can I use my HSA to pay for cobra premiums?
Can you use HSA for COBRA premiums? The short answer is yes. You can use funds from your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for COBRA premiums. This option is particularly beneficial for individuals who want to maintain their health insurance coverage but face the financial burden of COBRA premiums.
Can I use HSA for glasses?
Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses. (FSAs and HSAs can be used for many other vision- and eye health-related expenses, too, but we'll discuss that more in a bit.)
Can I pay health insurance premiums with HSA?
You can hold and add to the tax-free savings to pay for medical care later. HSAs may earn interest that can't be taxed. You generally can't use HSA funds to pay premiums.
Can you buy tampons with HSA?
Yes! Thanks to the CARES Act, tampons are now considered a “medical expense.” That means you can use pre-tax income to pay for them through your HSA. More questions about tampons? Learn the truth behind some of the most common tampon myths.
Can you use HSA for gym membership?
Gym memberships are generally not considered qualified medical expenses under IRS guidelines. While physical fitness is important, gym memberships are typically viewed as personal or recreational expenses rather than a medical necessity. So using HSA funds for them could result in taxes and penalties.
Can I buy Gatorade with HSA?
You can grab a pack of ORS using your HSA or FSA funds without a prescription. However, rehydration sports drinks (think Gatorade) and electrolyte solutions containing additional additives (such as caffeine, immunity boosters, or the like) are not eligible.
What is not eligible for HSA?
If you or your spouse participates in a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (Healthcare FSA) or a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that allows for reimbursement of your medical expenses, you are not eligible to establish a new HSA or make contributions to a current HSA.
Is a gym membership FSA eligible?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually doesn't allow funds from an FSA to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms. However, the IRS allows FSA funds to be used for paying separate fees charged at health clinics or physical therapy centers for specific activities prescribed by doctors for an individual.
When should you not use an HSA?
HSAs might not make sense if you have some type of chronic medical condition. In that case, you're probably better served by traditional health plans. HSAs might also not be a good idea if you know you will be needing expensive medical care in the near future.
Can HSA be used for dental?
Yes, you can use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) for dental expenses.
What happens to your HSA when you turn 65?
One benefit of the HSA is that after you turn age 65, you can withdraw money from your HSA for any reason without incurring a tax penalty. You are, however, subject to normal income tax on any non-qualified withdrawals.