Step 1
Pick the health plan first
The HSA is not the health insurance. During open enrollment, choose the medical plan first, then confirm whether it is HSA-eligible.
Compare HSA vs FSABenefits season decision guide
Use HSA Trackr During Open Enrollment
Most people do not start by opening an HSA. They start inside a benefits portal, staring at PPO, HDHP, HSA, FSA, and limited-purpose FSA options. This page turns that moment into a decision path.
The open-enrollment rule
Choose the medical plan first. If it is HSA-eligible, choose how much to contribute, capture any employer match, avoid a general-purpose FSA conflict, then set up receipt tracking before the first bill arrives.
The 4 decisions to make before you click submit
This is the part HSA Trackr should make obvious during benefits season. Work through these in order.
Step 2
Verify the HDHP numbers
For 2026, the HDHP floor is $1,650 self-only or $3,300 family. Also check the out-of-pocket maximum.
Check 2026 limitsStep 3
Choose HSA, FSA, or LP-FSA
If you choose the HDHP, avoid a general-purpose FSA. A limited-purpose FSA can still work for dental and vision.
Run the calculatorStep 4
Open or keep the right HSA
Use the employer HSA for payroll and match. Use an individual provider for old balances, self-employed coverage, or lower fees.
Compare providersWhere HSA Trackr fits
The tracker is not the thing you use to pick insurance. It is the thing you set up once the HSA path is real, so the tax benefit does not leak away because receipts disappear.
Before you submit benefits
Use the site to check whether the HDHP actually qualifies, compare HSA vs FSA tradeoffs, and spot spouse-FSA conflicts before you lock elections.
When setting contribution amounts
Subtract employer contributions from the $4,400 self-only or $8,750 family cap before choosing payroll deductions.
After your HSA starts
Log receipts, EOBs, prescriptions, and letters of medical necessity so you can reimburse yourself later without scrambling for records.
If this is your situation, do this
Your employer offers HDHP + HSA
Use the employer HSA for payroll deductions and match. If the provider is expensive or hard to invest with, compare transfer options for old balances later.
You buy your own health insurance
Pick an HSA-eligible marketplace or individual HDHP first. Then open an HSA at the provider with the best fee and investment setup for you.
You want HSA + FSA together
Choose the HSA only with a limited-purpose FSA, not a general-purpose health FSA. Use the LP-FSA for dental and vision so your HSA can stay invested.
Provider decision after open enrollment
If payroll deductions or employer match are available, start with the employer HSA. If you need an individual HSA, or want to move an old balance away from fees, compare the providers people usually use for long-term investing.
We track visits to provider links so we can see which recommendations actually move readers forward. Affiliate links are surfaced directly on the page when a provider has a commercial relationship.
Lively
Modern HSA built for self-directed investors. No-fee individual plan and Schwab brokerage integration.
- No-fee individual plan
- Investment options via Schwab brokerage
- FDIC-insured cash balance
- Mobile receipt capture and reimbursement
Fidelity HSA
Zero account minimums, no fees, and Fidelity's full investing universe.
- No account fees or minimums
- Same investment menu as a Fidelity brokerage account
- Integrated with Fidelity 401(k) and IRA accounts
- Free debit card and bill pay
Shoebox strategy supplies
The app is the system of record. A physical receipt organizer or document bag is still useful as a backup for paper receipts, EOBs, and LMNs.
Disclosure: HSA Trackr earns a commission if you sign up or buy through these links. It doesn't change what you pay. We only feature providers we'd recommend without the commission.
Open enrollment checklist
- Save the Summary of Benefits and Coverage for each plan you are comparing.
- Confirm whether the HDHP is explicitly HSA-eligible.
- Subtract employer HSA money before setting your payroll contribution.
- Avoid a spouse general-purpose FSA if you want HSA eligibility.
- Use a limited-purpose FSA only for dental and vision if pairing with an HSA.
- Create a receipt system before January 1 so expenses are not lost.
Common questions
How do I know if my plan lets me use an HSA?
The plan must be HSA-eligible HDHP coverage. For 2026, that means the deductible is at least $1,650 self-only or $3,300 family, and the out-of-pocket maximum is no higher than $8,300 self-only or $16,600 family. The benefits portal should label the plan HSA-eligible, but you should still verify the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum in the Summary of Benefits and Coverage.
Should I choose the employer HSA or open my own HSA?
If your employer offers payroll deductions or a match, usually start with the employer HSA so you capture the match and FICA savings. You can still open an individual HSA later and transfer old balances if the employer provider has high fees or weak investment options.
Can I use an FSA and HSA in the same year?
A general-purpose health FSA usually blocks HSA contributions. A limited-purpose FSA for dental and vision is compatible with an HSA, and a dependent-care FSA is also separate. This is one of the biggest open-enrollment traps for households where one spouse has an FSA.
When should I use HSA Trackr?
Use HSA Trackr after you choose an HSA-eligible plan or already have an HSA. The point is to save receipts and expense records so you can reimburse yourself later. If you choose an FSA only, you still need receipts, but the long-term shoebox strategy does not apply because FSA funds do not roll over forever.