HSA News for May 11, 2026
HSA news is compiled weekly by Mr. HSA, Roy Ramthun.
News from Washington
Republicans See High Deductible Plans as the Future of Health Insurance
Nearly 4 in 10 Obamacare enrollees are covered by “high-deductible” plans now, compared to 3 in 10 a year ago. President Donald Trump and GOP senators want to encourage more to go that route by shifting remaining Obamacare subsidies into tax-advantaged savings accounts that come with the high-deductible plans. For many Republicans, that’s a worthwhile trade-off, considering the plans also reduce overuse of the health care system and put downward pressure on prices.
Republicans' Midterm Health Care Dilemma
Health care affordability is shaping up to be a defining midterm election issue, yet many Republicans are wary of wading into major health policymaking before facing voters. Many GOP operatives think it'd be crazy to take a huge swing at health care costs between now and November. But some Republicans are making the argument that it's crazier not to.
Compliance Corner
If the Plan Excludes a Benefit, Can an Employer Offer First-Dollar Coverage?
When an employer offers both a medical plan and an HRA, neither plan can reimburse non-preventive services below the deductible. The fact that a benefit is excluded from the medical plan or a benefit is defined as a program does not change how the federal tax code treats it.
Managing Gaps between HSA Eligibility: Confusing, but Potentially Rewarding
Protect your ability to reimburse expenses that you incur prior to funding a new HSA. If you lose your eligibility to contribute to your account and think that you may regain eligibility in the future, make sure that you maintain an account balance. You do not want to miss this opportunity because of insufficient planning or failure to understand the rules.
Market Trends
Why Employees Stick With the Wrong Health Plan (and What We Can Do About It)
The rinse and repeat benefits election cycle comes with a cost. For example, if you don’t fully understand your current plan, “high deductible” just sounds like more risk and more money out of your pocket. And if I’m an employee who’s already tired and unsure, that’s an easy "no." But the problem isn’t the plan. It’s the lack of education before the choice.
Industry News
Mesirow to Acquire LeafHouse Financial Advisors
Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc. will acquire LeafHouse Financial Advisors, including the FlexFiduciary and InvestBuild business lines. Following the 3Q transaction close, LeafHouse’s advisory business will operate as part of Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions, which offers outsourced ERISA fiduciary services, investment due diligence, reporting, and custom default solutions for retirement plans, HSAs and IRAs.
Commonplace Becomes First Secondhand Marketplace to Accept HSA and FSA Payments for Eligible Categories
Commonplace has launched HSA and FSA payment support across eligible wellness and fitness categories, making them the first-ever secondhand marketplace to allow consumers to use tax-advantaged healthcare funds to purchase items which are often listed at significant discounts compared to retail prices.
HSAs & Retirement
How HSAs Can Bridge the Retirement Gap and Support Lifetime Income
As the industry focus continues to shift towards reframing the 401(k) account from savings accounts while working to accounts used in retirement to provide income, bringing HSAs along into the conversation can help. Demonstrating how HSAs can be used to pay for healthcare expenses in retirement can help increase assets available in retirement to provide income for other expenses.
The 'Broken Handoff' Leaving Retirees Lost on Medicare Choices
When an employee retires after many years on a company-sponsored healthcare plan, they are often handed a COBRA notice and a last paycheck and given little advice about the transition to Medicare. The decisions they make in the next few months can follow them for years. Employees get lost in the shuffle because all of the people who are supposed to help them with the transition that someone else is taking care of it.
Consumer-Driven Health Care
Dealing With Insurance Denial? Christy Carlson Romano’s PET Scan Is a Wake-Up Call for High-Deductible Plan Holders
If you’re tracking your own screenings, managing your deductible and shopping your options, here’s where the system actually gives you leverage. As of March 31, 2026, ACA marketplace insurers are required to publicly post their prior authorization approval rates, denial rates and appeal outcomes.