HSA Health Equity Tips (2026) | HSA Tracker

Do not assume your plan qualifies. Check your plan documents or ask your HR department to confirm the 2026 deductible and out-of-pocket maximums meet the IRS minimums and maximums.

Contributing directly from your paycheck via Section 125 cafeteria plan saves you FICA taxes (7.65%) in addition to income tax. This is a major advantage over contributing after-tax.

If you have family HDHP coverage at any point in 2026, your annual limit is the full family amount of $8,750, prorated by months of eligibility.

A spouse's general-purpose FSA or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that covers you will disqualify you from HSA contributions. Verify the type of account they have.

Starting in 2026, you can use a Direct Primary Care arrangement and still be HSA-eligible if the monthly fees are $150 or less for individual coverage or $300 or less for family.

Create a simple system to store receipts for every qualified expense. This is your proof for audits and for future tax-free reimbursements from the HSA.

These are fully eligible expenses. This includes cleanings, fillings, orthodontia, eyeglasses, contacts, and LASIK surgery.

Since 2020, over-the-counter drugs and medicines (like pain relievers, allergy medicine) are eligible without a prescription. Menstrual care products are also eligible.

Log into your HealthEquity portal and activate the investment feature once your cash balance exceeds the required threshold. Choose your fund allocations.

Treat your HSA like a retirement account for healthcare. Invest contributions you do not need for current expenses in diversified, growth-oriented funds.

You can make contributions for a given tax year until the federal tax filing deadline of the following year, typically around April 15.

Your contribution limit is based on the number of months you were HSA-eligible. Use the IRS worksheet if your eligibility starts, stops, or changes type mid-year.

Check your account fee schedule. Some accounts have monthly administration or investment fees. Knowing these helps you assess the account's total cost.

Once you are on Medicare, you can use HSA funds tax-free to pay for Medicare Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage plan premiums.

Withdrawals for non-eligible expenses before age 65 are subject to income tax plus a 20% penalty. After 65, you pay income tax but no penalty.

Your HealthEquity HSA is yours forever, even if you change jobs, become unemployed, or switch to a non-HDHP plan. The account stays open.

Many employers contribute seed money to employee HSAs. This free money counts toward your annual limit, so adjust your personal contributions accordingly.

You can reimburse yourself from your HSA at any time for past eligible expenses. Letting the money grow and reimbursing later is a powerful strategy.

The extra $1,000 contribution is per eligible individual. If both spouses are 55+ and have separate HSAs, each can contribute their own catch-up.

You cannot contribute to an HSA after you enroll in any part of Medicare, including Part A. Plan your last HSA contribution for the month before Medicare starts.