Coverage for your health care and a savings account for your costs

An Aetna HealthFund® Health Savings Account (HSA)* gives you access to quality health care. Plus, it gives you a way to manage what you pay. Our HSA includes:

• An Aetna high-deductible health insurance or benefits plan for medical coverage.
• A health savings account to pay for qualified out-of-pocket costs.

HSA benefits

You own it. You decide whether to spend or save the funds in your health savings account. If you decide to change employers or health plans, the account is yours to keep.

You don’t lose it. Any money not used at the end of the plan year rolls over to the next year.

It can grow. Your HSA is a savings account that earns interest. You can save the money in your account and let it grow, to pay health care costs down the road, even during retirement.  And after you build up a certain amount, you may have investment options.

Tax advantages of an HSA

With an HSA, you also get:

• Tax savings. Money you put in to the account can reduce your taxable income.
• Tax-free earnings. Money you keep in your HSA earns interest tax free.
• Tax-free spending. Money you take out to pay for qualified health care costs is never taxed.
  

Use the HSA savings calculation tool to see the savings potential and tax benefits of your account.

How an HSA works

• Enroll in an HSA. You must be covered by a high-deductible health plan. And you must not be eligible for coverage under any other health plan.
• You’ll get welcome and debit card materials in the mail.
• Contribute anytime. You, your spouse and family, and your employer can contribute up to the yearly limit set by the Internal Review Service.
• Know how much you have. You can only use the money that is in your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses.
• Visit the doctor, hospital and other health care providers. Pay for your health care expenses with your account. Or pay out of your own pocket and save your account. Either way, pay until you reach your yearly deductible.
• Then pay a copay or coinsurance after each visit. Use your HSA if you want.
• Pay until you reach the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum. Then your health plan pays for covered services.
  

2014 HSA & High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) Limits

The limits for health savings account (HSA) contributions and maximum out-of-pocket amounts for high deductible health plans (HDHPs) will increase for the 2014 calendar year. Below are the 2014 limits.

2014 HSA contribution limits

• Individual: $3,300
• Family: $6,550

2014 minimum annual deductible

• Individual: $1,250
• Family: $2,500

2014 maximum out-of-pocket amounts

• Individual: $6,350
• Family: $12,700

Smart tips on using your HSA

Make the most of your HSA. Here’s how:

• Stay in network. Doctors, hospitals and other health care providers in the network have a contract to provide reduced rates to our members. This helps you save. If you’re not a member, check our directory to find network doctors and hospitals. Members can just log in to their Aetna Navigator® website.
• Know before you go. Compare what doctors and hospitals will charge you for some common services before you make an appointment. Use our member payment estimator*** and other cost of care tools. They’re also on Aetna Navigator.
• Keep track of your deductible and fund balances. Aetna Navigator makes it easy for members.
• Pay only for qualified health care expense. Otherwise you could face tax penalties from the IRS. Get a list of these expenses on Aetna Navigator. Or go to the IRS website and see Publication 502. You should also check your health plan documents.
• Pay as you go or let it grow? Our examples  (PDF, 1.32 MB) can help you decide whether to spend or save your HSA.

More help for using your HSA

Do you have tax questions? Visit the IRS website and see publication 969 called Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans.

Visit the U.S. Treasury website for answers to your questions about health savings accounts.