Health savings accounts, or H.S.A.s, are offered only in tandem with specific high-deductible health plans, which are becoming more prevalent as employers seek to manage costs. The lofty deductible — at least $1,300 for an individual, and $2,600 for a family — means that workers pay more for medical care out of pocket before insurance pays.
The plans can be a boon for workers who understand how to take advantage of the tax benefits that H.S.A.s offer. (The money is tax-free as long as it's spent on eligible health care, and workers take the money with them if they switch jobs.) But there may be caveats — for lower-income workers, in particular.
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