HSA News for October 5, 2026
HSA news is compiled weekly by Mr. HSA, Roy Ramthun.
News from Washington
White House begins mailing $500 ObamaCare ‘refund’ checks
The White House began mailing $500 refund checks September 30 to almost 1 million Americans across 30 states that use Healthcare.gov who the Trump administration says were overcharged for their ObamaCare insurance.
Shaheen Presses Senate to Cap Insulin Costs
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is pressing Senate leadership to hold a floor vote on bipartisan legislation to cap insulin costs in private insurance before lawmakers leave town until after the midterm election. The legislation would out-of-pocket costs for insulin at $35 for people with commercial insurance. A similar cap already applies to Medicare enrollees.
Bipartisan Team in Congress Looks to Expand Insurance Coverage for Ovarian Cancer Screening
A group of lawmakers spanning both parties and chambers introduced legislation that would require insurance plans to cover genetic testing for patients with hereditary risk factors and expand education and outreach about gynecologic cancer risk. The legislation is a rare alignment of Democrats and Republicans on expanding healthcare coverage and spending federal money on cancer prevention.
Compliance Corner
You Can Roll Balances from One HSA to Another, but Don't "Play with Fire!"
HSA owners can roll over funds from one HSA to another but you are limited to one rollover per year. When you execute a rollover, you must deposit the full amount into a new HSA within 60 days of the withdrawal or the entire distribution is considered a withdrawal for non-qualified expenses.
HSAs & Retirement
My Journey to Medicare: What You Ned to Know, Regardless of Your Age
I am now enrolled in Medicare and will be for the rest of my life. I have lots of coverage choices that I can review annually to meet my medical and financial situation. However, one choice that I no longer have is to remain eligible to fund my HSA. Fortunately, I understood the power of HSAs and made decisions during my years of eligibility that will ease my financial angst over medical care during my remaining years.
Why a Medicare Choice at 65 Matters at 75
For many Americans, turning 65 brings a run of Medicare decisions in quick succession. At first, these look like choices a client can revisit later, and Medicare does let beneficiaries change coverage. But some decisions made at initial enrollment can narrow the options, costs and protections available at 70 or 75. That makes the first Medicare decision more than a comparison of this year's premiums and benefits.
Should You Keep Your Employer Insurance or Go on Medicare?
Turning 65 doesn’t necessarily mean leaving your workplace health insurance and going on Medicare. For many Americans who work past 65, it brings a choice: Stick with your employer plan or see whether Medicare offers a better deal. There is no rule that requires a switch to Medicare for primary insurance at age 65 unless you work for a company with fewer than 20 employees.
Maximizing Your HSA
She Paid $40,000 of Medical Bills From Checking Over 15 Years and Kept Every Receipt. At 68 She Pulled $40,000 Out of Her HSA Tax-Free in One Afternoon
IRS rules let you reimburse yourself from an HSA years after paying a medical bill, making old receipts worth their full value in tax-free withdrawals. At 68 with receipts, a $40,000 HSA withdrawal is completely tax-free; without them, the same withdrawal is taxed as ordinary income.
Your HSA Needs a Succession Plan
The tax benefits of HSAs effectively cease upon the account owner’s death, or the death of his or her spouse if that person is the beneficiary. That makes it crucial to have a succession plan for your HSA, including a plan to encourage tax-free spending during your lifetime (and your spouse’s), as well as naming the correct beneficiary for the account in an effort to maximize the tax benefits.
Vision Expenses Piling Up? Use Your HSA or FSA
Visual health is a vital component of overall well-being, and unexpected eye-related expenses can put a strain on your finances. However, there are ways to alleviate the financial burden associated with vision-related costs for participants of HSAs or FSAs. Here are a few common vision-related questions related to your HSA or FSA.