Is a health savings account for you? Learn about 2025 health savings accounts updates, including contribution and deductible changes.
If you are enrolled in only one health insurance plan and it has a high deductible, you are probably eligible to open a Health Savings Account (HSA). Learn about 2025 health savings accounts updates, including contribution and deductible changes.
The IRS recently released the 2025 contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), as well as the 2025 minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket amounts for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).
These changes impact how you can save and manage healthcare costs effectively. In this post, we'’ll explore the key numbers for health savings accounts in 2025 and how they can benefit you.
FAQs
Q1: What are qualified medical expenses?
A1: Qualified medical expenses include costs for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for treatments affecting any part or function of the body.
Q2: Can I use HSA funds for non-medical expenses?
A2: Yes, but withdrawals for non-medical expenses are subject to income tax and a 20% penalty. After age 65, the penalty is waived, though income tax still applies.
Q3: How do state taxes affect heath savings accounts?
A3: Most states follow federal tax rules for HSAs, but it’s important to check your state’s specific regulations as they can vary.
What is a Heath Savings Account?
A health savings account is a tax-advantaged savings account that enables you to save money to cover health-care and medical costs that your insurance doesn’t pay.
By using untaxed dollars in a health savings account to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other qualified medical expenses, you may be able to lower your out-of-pocket health care costs.
HSA funds generally may not be used to pay premiums
The funds contributed are made with pre-tax dollars if you contribute via payroll deduction or are tax deductible if you make them yourself using after-tax dollars.
If you use after-tax dollars to fund your HSA, you can claim a tax deduction for your contributions to the account, even if you don’t itemize your deductions
Money can also accumulate in the account from year to year; unlike many flexible spending accounts that do not allow you to roll money over to the next year, if you don’t spend it all that year. With a health savings account, you can use that money to avoid a shock to your finances from a sudden large medical bill.
Withdrawals used to pay qualified medical expenses are free from federal income tax.
Health Savings Account Eligibility and Benefits
You can establish and contribute to a health savings account only if you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, which offers “catastrophic” health coverage and pays benefits only after you’ve satisfied a high annual deductible.
Typically, you will pay much lower premiums with an high-deductible health plan than you would with a traditional health plan such as an HMO or PPO
If health savings account withdrawals are not used to pay qualified medical expenses, they are subject to ordinary income tax and a 20% penalty.
When you reach age 65, you can withdraw money from your health savings account for any purpose.
Such a withdrawal would be subject to income tax if not used for qualified medical expenses, but not the 20% penalty
Health savings account contributions, earnings, and withdrawals may or may not be subject to state taxes; most states with an income tax follow the federal tax rules for health savings accounts.
Find The Heath Savings Account That Is Suited For You
When comparing different health savings accounts, review the account disclosures for fee information, the interest rate expressed as the Annual Percentage Yield (APY), and other important terms and conditions.
Comparison shopping for the best terms and rates can make a significant difference in the amount of funds available to you for your medical expenses.
Many HSAs charge monthly maintenance fees, paper statement fees, outbound transfer fees, and account closure fees which can exceed the interest earned on the account
Also, consider how convenient it will be to add money to your HSA and to make payments from your HSA.
If you’re considering moving an existing heath savings account to another bank, first check with your health insurance company to make sure it will permit the switch. Also be aware that HSAs may impose “exit” fees, including outbound transfer fees and account closure fees, if you move your account and be sure to ask about delays on the availability of funds when transferring.
Be Aware Of Any Investment Risks
Your HSA provider may allow you to transfer some of your savings from an FDIC-insured deposit account to a non-deposit investment product.
Non-deposit investment products, such as one or more mutual funds, are not FDIC-insured
Before considering whether to invest some of your HSA money in the market, consider whether you have enough in your FDIC-insured HSA deposit account to cover unplanned medical expenses that you may be responsible for next year, in case the investments lose value.
Regularly Monitor Your Account Activity
You should review your account statements immediately after they are issued to limit your lost funds in the event of fraud or an error. Some health savings accounts may require you to either review your statement online or pay an additional fee to receive paper statements in the mail.
HSA Debit Cards
Unless you expect to use your HSA debit card for a medical expense, consider keeping it at home in a safe place and separate from your other debit and credit cards.
This will reduce the risk of using it for non-medical purchases and inadvertently incurring a tax penalty. You may also want to tape a note to the front of the card as a reminder that it should not be used for everyday expenses. If your debit card is lost or stolen, contact your bank as soon as possible.
What Are The 2025 Heath Savings Account Changes?
Here are the updated key tax numbers relating to health savings accounts for 2024 and 2025.
Annual contribution limit | 2024 | 2025 |
Self-only coverage | $4,150 | $4,300 |
Family coverage | $8,300 | $8,550 |
High-deductible health plan: Self-only coverage | ||
Annual deductible: minimum | $1,600 | $1,650 |
Annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid (other than for premiums) can’t exceed | $8,050 | $8,300 |
High-deductible health plan: Family coverage | ||
Annual deductible: minimum | $3,200 | $3,300 |
Annual maximum out-of-pocket expenses (other than for premiums) | $16,100 | $16,600 |
Catch-up contributions | ||
Annual catch-up contribution limit for individuals age 55 or older | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Understanding the 2025 key numbers for health savings accounts is crucial for maximizing your healthcare savings and making informed financial decisions.
With increased contribution limits and updated high-deductible health plan requirements, health savings accounts continue to be a valuable tool for managing medical expenses.
Stay informed and plan your contributions wisely to take full advantage of these benefits. By keeping these updates in mind, you can better navigate your healthcare options and optimize your savings strategy for 2025.
Contact your tax and financial advisors to determine the best moves for your situation.