HSA News for February 23, 2026
HSA news is compiled weekly by Mr. HSA, Roy Ramthun.
Compliance Corner
Your Spouse's General Health FSA Does Not Affect Your HSA Eligibility? Think Again.
You must understand the interaction of HSAs and a general Health FSA if you and your spouse both work and one of you is contributing to an HSA. If your spouse is covered by a health FSA, you are automatically covered by your spouse's Health FSA, even if you do not realize that you are covered or never file a claim.
Can I Use a Health Savings Account to Pay Medicare Premiums?
You can take tax-free withdrawals to pay premiums for the various parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). The premium for a Medicare supplemental policy, though, isn’t considered to be a qualified medical expense, so you’d owe taxes on any withdrawal for that.
Why You Can’t Use Your Health Savings for These 5 Common Items in 2026
HSAs feel like a cheat code until a receipt gets questioned and you realize “health-related” isn’t the same as “HSA-eligible.” The rules still hinge on whether something is a qualified medical expense under IRS standards, not whether it looks like wellness. Here are five everyday items people try to swipe with an HSA that still commonly do not qualify unless very specific conditions apply.
Market Trends
Employers Find New Option for Workers' GLP-1 Demand
Employers who are wary of paying for workers' pricey weight-loss drugs are discovering a workaround: Offer coverage through a telehealth vendor and split the cost. Alternatively, some employers are funding Health Reimbursement Accounts for employees to use pre-tax dollars to cover some of the cost of GLP-1s.
HSAs & Retirement
Retirees’ Health Care Costs Far Outpace Social Security COLA
Health care costs are accelerating in 2026, straining both employer-sponsored health plans and retirees’ budgets, as new data show double-digit premium increases for group plans and long-term retirement health care inflation projected to more than double the pace of Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.
Maximizing Your HSA
5 HSA Power Moves Most People Don't Take Advantage Of (But Should)
An HSA is one of the most powerful tools available for managing both your health and your long‑term financial wellbeing. But many people only use their HSA for the basics—prescriptions, copays, or the occasional unexpected bill. Here are five lesser‑known ways to get more value from your HSA right now.
This Little-Known HSA Rule Can't Be Overlooked
HSAs have a huge advantage over health FSAs because you never risk forfeiting money you've saved each year. With an HSA, the money you put in never expires. You can fund an HSA in your 20s and take withdrawals in your 50s to pay for qualifying medical expenses. And there's really no such thing as overfunding an HSA. Here's why.
The Wisdom of Participating in a Limited-Purpose Health FSA Program
A Limited-Purpose Health FSA delivers first-dollar (no deductible) reimbursement for dental and vision services only. The design limits reimbursement so that participants are not disqualified from opening and funding an HSA. Not all employers sponsor a Limited-Purpose Health FSA. If yours does, consider participating after reviewing how four benefits of a Limited-Purpose Health FSA may enhance your financial strategy.
Consumer-Driven Health Care
Health Insurance After Divorce Has Gotten Pricier. These Moves Can Help.
Following a divorce, each party is usually responsible for paying for their own health insurance. Many ACA plans are eligible to be paired with an HSA. Don’t overlook this triple-tax-advantaged powerhouse. Although you generally can’t use HSA funds to pay monthly premiums, you can put that savings toward out-of-pocket costs, such as the hefty deductible that many policies have.