Yesterday, the House passed two bills that would expand HSA coverage:

The Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018 (HR 6199)

This Act would:

  • Allow plans flexibility in providing first dollar coverage up to $250 for a single and $500 for a family for additional services, such as those related to treatment of chronic conditions and telehealth services.
  • It would also make certain OTC drugs a qualified medical expense.
  • Allow HSA funds to pay for direct primary care up to $150 per month for an individual and $300 per month for a family.
  • Expand HSAs to allow physical activity, fitness and exercise related services (i.e., gym memberships, sports equipment) to be qualified medical expenses (up to $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a family).
  • It would also loosen some of the contribution restrictions on spouses who have a flexible spending account (FSA) at their employer.
  • Allow employees, at the employer’s discretion, to convert their FSA and HRA balances into an HSA contribution upon enrolling in a high deductible health plan with an HSA. The conversion amount is capped at $2,650 for an individual and $5,300 for family coverage.

Increasing Access to Lower Premium Plans and Expanding Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018 (HR 6311)

This Act would:

  • Increase the maximum contribution to health savings accounts (HSAs) to $6,650 for an individual and $13,300 for a family.
  • Allow both spouses to make catch-up contributions to the same health savings account. Under current law, if both spouses are HSA-eligible and age 55 or older, they must open separate HSA accounts for their respective “catch-up” contributions.  This provision would allow both spouses to deposit their catch-up contributions into one account.
  • Allow working seniors enrolled in Medicare Part A to contribute to an HSA.
  • Allow individuals in a bronze or catastrophic health plan to contribute to an HSA.
  • Allow balances on flexible savings accounts to be carried over.
  • Allow HSAs opened within 60 days after gaining coverage under a HDHP as having been opened on the same day as the HDHP. This would give a grace period between the time coverage begins through an HDHP and the establishment of an HSA.  Currently, HSA funds can only be used for qualified expenses after the HSA has been established.
  • It would also delay the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance tax for another two years to 2021.

There are a handful of other healthcare related bills yet to be taken up by the House. It is unclear if they will act prior to the August break (beginning July 30th). Both of the above Acts will most likely be taken up by the Senate after the break.

Diversified Group will be following the progress of these bills closely and will provide updates as they are received.

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