To those who don’t quite understand how HSA-qualified plans work, a high deductible seems daunting. Many may say that they can’t afford the high-deductible and so they select a traditional plan and pay the significantly higher premiums typically associated with it.

Because HSA-qualified health plans have higher deductibles, the burden of upfront medical costs is more immediately apparent to those who have this type of coverage.  The plans usually have smaller monthly premiums, but the trade-off is more out-of-pocket expenses before insurance kicks in. While at first, this may be perceived as a negative, knowing you’re on the hook for more of your medical bills may actually push you to find smarter ways to put your HSA dollars to work and save.

No one wants to leave free money on the table. That’s why incentivizing employees with an HSA match can be an effective strategy to increase use and satisfaction of an HSA-qualified health plan. To best maximize the value of your matching program, keep the following ideas in mind:

As HSA-qualified health plans increase in popularity and availability, employees who select them are frequently faced with decisions about how to manage their new HSA. First, employees have to understand some of the basics; account balances carry over every year, funds can be used for a spouse or tax dependent, the fact that there are annual contribution limits, etc. These details inevitably lead employees to ask the critical question, “how much should I contribute to my HSA? 

Many companies are in the middle of their open enrollment period, and health savings accounts (HSAs) are offered by more companies than ever before. But, because not everyone can be experts on HSAs, it may be difficult to answer questions that employees might have. Your employees need to know the best way to use an HSA to maximize their benefits and ensure they are spending HSA funds on qualified medical expenses. You may be wondering how an HSA can benefit your business. Fortunately, there are some useful resources for employers and employees who are looking to educate themselves about HSAs. Check out our top 3 reccomendations:

Many employees receive health insurance through their job, and these employees expect tools, resources and information so they can make informed decisions about which health plan is best for them and their families. Providing employees with a health plan comparison tool is a great way for employers to support this decision process. Most people are not health plan experts, so it can be difficult to know what to look for when comparing health plans.