Health Savings Accounts

Six years after health savings accounts were introduced, only 59% of the population has heard of them, only half of these people actually understand them, and only 14% of the overall population own them, Guardian Life Insurance found in its Spotlight on Consumer-Driven Health Plans Survey.

Fifty-two percent did not know that contributions to HSAs are tax deductible, and 55% did not know that withdrawals used for qualified medical expenses are also not subject to taxes. In addition, 60% did not know that they can take the HSA with them when they switch jobs. For their part, employers also mistakenly think that HSAs are complex. Many also do not contribute to employees’ HSAs, which Guardian found would make the plans more attractive to 61% of employees.