How Will Senate Bill's Proposed Provisions Affect HSA Owners?

By William G. Stuart | Originally posted on Health Savings Academy

The Senate finished its version of the reconciliation bill and sent it to the next step in the legislative process. Which Health Savings Account provisions survived the upper chamber?

The Senate has been busy for nearly a month since the House of Representatives sent a reconciliation bill to the upper chamber for review. A reconciliation bill is particularly important because it can pass the Senate with 51 (of 100 or 101) votes. In contrast, all other bills must have a 60-vote majority if the minority demands that standard.

The House bill contained 10 provisions to expand or enhance Health Savings Accounts. Of the 10, only two survived the final Senate vote of 51-50 earlier this week. In addition, the Senate added a topic that was not addressed by the House. Here are the Health Savings Account provisions in the Senate-approved bill:

SUBCHAPTER C—ENHANCING CHOICE FOR PATIENTS

Sec. 71306. Permanent extension of safe harbor for absence of deductible for telehealth services.

Sec. 71307. Allowance of bronze and catastrophic plans in connection with health savings accounts.

Sec. 71308. Treatment of direct primary care service arrangements.