FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 5, 2007

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Healthcare consumers may realize significant financial benefits from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Created under the 2003 Medicare Act, an HSA is a tax-favored savings plan offered by many banks, insurance companies, brokerages, and other financial institutions and that can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses. According to the New York State Society of CPAs, Health Savings Accounts offer significant tax benefits to individuals who qualify.

ELIGIBILITY

To establish an HSA, you must have coverage under a high deductible health plan. For 2007, these are defined as having a $1,100 deductible for individuals and $2,200 or higher for families, up from $1,050 and $2,100 respectively for 2006. HSAs are designed, in part, to help those with high-deductible policies to pay for health expenses until insurance benefits kick in. To be eligible for a HSA, you can not be covered by any other type of medical plan.

CONTRIBUTION LIMITS

Each year that you are eligible, you, your employer, or both of you can contribute up to the amount of the deductible for your high-deductible health plan. An individual who is age 55 or older and not enrolled in Medicare may make a catch-up contribution of $700 for 2006 and $800 for 2007. Like IRAs, contributions for 2006 may be made through April 15 of this year.

QUALIFIED EXPENSES AND DISTRIBUTIONS

HSA funds can be used to pay for qualified health expenses that the account owner and his or her spouse or dependents incur. Qualified expenses include costs for doctor visits, prescription drugs, over-the-counter remedies, Medicare premiums (but not supplemental Medicare benefits) and more. Once you meet your deductible, your health insurance policy covers your medical expenses according to your policy provisions.

Funds withdrawn before age 65 for non-medical purposes are subject to a 10 percent penalty, as well as taxes on the amount withdrawn. Taxpayers who are 65 and older pay taxes, but not a penalty, on amounts withdrawn for non-medical reasons.

Be aware, too, that funds remain in your Health Savings Account from year to year. This means your HSA funds continue to accrue tax-free until needed.

TAX BENEFITS

For 2006, you may deduct up to the amount of your policy’s deductible, but not more than $2,700 if you have individual coverage or $5,450 for family coverage. (In 2007, the maximum HSA deduction moves up to $2,850 for individuals and $5,650 for family coverage.) The HSA deduction is an above-the-line deduction, meaning you don’t have to itemize to benefit from it. There is also no income or phase-out limit.

If your employer makes an HSA contribution for you, it is excluded from income, and not subject to income tax or FICA. Some states allow you to take a state income tax deduction for Health Savings Account contributions.

Dividends and interest in the account are tax-exempt, which means the account grows tax-free until funds are withdrawn. Withdrawals are tax-free for qualified expenses.

CONTINGENCIES

Should you change jobs, become unemployed, or retire, your HSA account stays with you. Upon death, any balance remaining in your Health Savings Account becomes the property of the beneficiary you named.

ADVICE

A CPA can help you understand the value of Health Savings Accounts and determine if an HSA makes sense for your particular situation.

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HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS: A TAX SMART WAY TO PAY MEDICAL COSTS
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If you have a high-deductible health insurance policy, you may be able to pay some of your future health care costs by contributing to a Health Savings Account. The New York State Society of CPAs explains that these accounts enable qualified individuals and their employers to contribute funds that can then be withdrawn tax free for qualified medical expenses. For 2006, high-deductible health plans are defined as those with a $1,050 deductible for individuals and a $2,100 deductible for families. If you did not take advantage of this type of plan for 2006, the New York State Society of CPAs says you should consider it for 2007. To qualify in 2007, your plan must have a deductible of $1,100 for individuals and $2,200 for families. To find out if HSAs make sense for you, contact your CPA.