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Health Savings Accounts

Can I use my HSA to pay for non-health-related expenses?

You are responsible for that decision, and therefore should familiarize yourself with what qualified medical expenses are (as partially defined in IRS Publication 502) and also keep your receipts in case you need to defend your expenditures or decisions during an audit.

Do I need to file medical claims with an HSA?

No. You just pay qualified expenses using your HSA debit card or HSA check.

How and when can I rollover HSA funds?

Funds can be rolled over from one HSA to another or from an Archer Medical Savings Account to an HSA. You must deposit the rollover funds into the HSA within 60 days of withdrawing them from the Archer MSA or HSA. You can also rollover funds from your FSA or HRA – Talk to your employer for more details.

You may also initiate a one\-time transfer from an IRA. Unlike the rollovers described above, these transfers do count towards your maximum annual contribution amount.

Who sends the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the information regarding all of the contributions and withdrawals I made from my HSA?

Guaranty Bank \& Trust N.A. will send Form 1099\-SA to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to report all withdrawals from your HSA as well as send Form 5498\-SA to the IRS to report all contributions to your HSA in a given tax year. Guaranty Bank \& Trust N.A. files electronically and sends you a statement copy to be filed with your tax return and kept for your personal records.

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How can I keep track of my HSA balance?

You will receive monthly statements detailing your account activity.

How does the HSA account debit card work?

The HSA debit card is tied to your current HSA balance. You can use it to pay for qualified medical expenses billed from insurance companies, doctors’ offices, and pharmacies. However, if you make purchases for non-qualified medical expenses, you will be subject to taxes and penalties.

The debit card will work wherever MasterCard^TM debit cards are accepted; however, you cannot use it at an ATM to get a cash advance.

How do I access my HSA funds?

Once you've made contributions to your account, you can use your HSA debit card to get instant access to your HSA dollars and pay for eligible out-of-pocket health expenses. You can also use your checkbook to access the funds in your HSA.

How do I contribute to my HSA?

You can make contributions to your HSA by:

• Depositing check(s) into your HSA in any amount up to the maximum limit
• Authorizing funds transfers to be deducted electronically from your personal checking account into your HSA account. (Note: all deposits made via automatic transfer will be applied to current year totals.)
• Rolling over funds from another HSA or Archer Medical Savings Account (MSA)
• Requesting that your employer contribute to the account with pre\-tax deductions
• Initiate a one\-time transfer in from your IRA
• Find out if your employer offers a roll\-over from your FSA or HRA

How much can I contribute to an HSA?

The federal government sets yearly maximum contribution levels. For detailed information please review IRS publication 502. Please contact your tax advisor if you have additional questions.

What are qualified medical expenses I can use my HSA for?

Your HSA can be used to pay for covered expenses that apply toward your high deductible health plan (HDHP) annual deductible. In addition, you can pay for qualified medical expenses that your health plan might not cover, such as vision care (eyeglasses and contact lenses), dental and orthodontic services, and even long-term care insurance.

Remember, you must comply with HSA spending regulations. You can find detailed information about qualified medical expenses in Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and IRS Publication 502.

What are the limitations to the access of my HSA funds?

You cannot use the HSA debit card at an ATM to get a cash advance. In addition, the HSA will not have access to Bill Pay or the online transfer functions.

What happens if I cancel my high deductible health plan (HDHP)?

When your HDHP coverage ends, you are no longer eligible to make HSA contributions. However, the money in your HSA is yours until you spend it. As a result, you may keep your account with Guaranty Bank & Trust and continue to use your HSA funds. Once you are eligible again, you can make additional contributions. Please remember that you are responsible for tracking your personal contribution limit and contact your tax advisor if you have additional questions about your specific situation.

What happens if I contribute too much to my HSA and exceed the maximum allowable contribution?

The IRS imposes a penalty on excess contributions. Additionally, you'll be required to pay tax on the interest earned on those excess funds. You are responsible for tracking your contributions to ensure you do not exceed the maximum allowable contribution. However, you can withdraw excess contributions before the tax-filing deadline to avoid the penalties. You should also consult your tax advisor if you have additional questions.

What happens if I don't spend all the funds in my HSA by the end of the year?

All unused funds carry over from year to year.

What happens to the money in a HSA after you turn age 65?

You can continue to use your account tax-free for out-of-pocket health expenses. When you enroll in Medicare, you can use your account to pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance under any part of Medicare. If you have retiree health benefits through your former employer, you can also use your account to pay for your share of retiree medical insurance premiums. The one expense you cannot use your account for is to purchase a Medicare supplemental insurance or “Medigap” policy.

Once you turn age 65, you can also use your account to pay for things other than medical expenses. If used for other expenses, the amount withdrawn will be taxable as income but will not be subject to any other penalties. Individuals under age 65 who use their accounts for non-medical expenses must pay income tax and a 10% penalty on the amount withdrawn.

What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged account that works with a high deductible health plan. You can use it to pay for qualified medical expenses tax-free, or grow the account and use it for qualified medical expenses in the future.

What is a high deductible health plan (HDHP)?

A high-deductible health plan (HDHP) is a health plan with a minimum deductible amount. For detailed information please review IRS publication 502. Please contact your tax advisor if you have additional questions.

What is the annual fee for an HSA account?

There is an annual maintenance fee of $25.00 per year that will be charged to your HSA on June 30th. If the balance of the HSA account is $500 or above on June 30th, the minimum balance fee is waived. There are no transaction fees for using the debit card or writing checks. However, additional fees do apply for things like insufficient funds, additional cards, etc. A complete fee schedule is available when you enroll.

What is the deadline to establish and contribute to an HSA?

For detailed information please review IRS publication 502.

Who decides whether the money I’m spending from my HSA is for a “qualified" medical expense?

You are responsible for that decision, and therefore should familiarize yourself with what qualified medical expenses are (as partially defined in IRS Publication 502) and also keep your receipts in case you need to defend your expenditures or decisions during an audit.

Who else can contribute to my HSA?

Eligible individuals, such as your spouse, dependents, and your employer, can contribute to your HSA.