HSA News for June 15, 2026
HSA news is compiled weekly by Mr. HSA, Roy Ramthun.
News from Washington
GOP Divided on Pursuing Third Reconciliation Bill Amid Election Tensions
Republicans are divided over whether to pursue a third party-line spending package, with some lawmakers expressing skepticism that such an ambitious effort can clear Congress in a high-stakes election year. GOP leaders and top budget writers have already begun laying the groundwork for a third package despite concerns.
Bankers Want Health Savings Accounts in Reconciliation 3.0
A lobbying group backed by companies that manage Health Savings Accounts is launching a six-figure ad campaign in Washington to convince President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress to pursue a third party-line budget bill to boost the tax-advantaged plans. Trump is already a fan of the accounts.
Compliance Corner
When Will HSA Rules Stop Penalizing Those Who Answered the Call to Serve?
The tax code erects impediments that prevent active and retired military personnel from enjoying the same financial opportunities that their civilian counterparts experience through Health Savings Accounts. This situation is unintentional, but federal tax law still discriminates unfairly against those who have served our country.
The Six-Month Medicare Lookback That Costs a 66-Year-Old HSA Holder $7,800 in Excess Contributions Penalties She Didn’t See Coming
Many people assume they can continue contributing to an HSA as long as they’re enrolled in a qualifying high-deductible health plan. What you may not realize is that if you keep working past age 65, it’s important to stop HSA contributions. If you file for Social Security benefits before age 65, you’ll typically be enrolled in Medicare automatically at age 65.
Small Business Owner? Beware These Two Distinctions in HSA Contributions
I own my small company. Can I still offer my employees an HSA, and can they enjoy tax benefits from it? Yes, and yes. If you are a partner in a partnership, a member of an LLC, or a 2% or greater owner of an S-Corp, you face limitations on how you fund your HSA. Those rules affect only you (and any other owners) – not your employees.
Best Practices
2027 HSA Limits Are Up: Here’s What Employers Should Do Now
The IRS just released the 2027 limits for HSAs and high-deductible health plans, and yes, the numbers are going up. The 2027 updates may look minor on paper, but they affect the details employers cannot afford to miss. Here is where the new limits landed and what to review before open enrollment picks up.
5 Ways Advisors Can Get More Out of HSAs
HSAs are worth consideration for advisors and their clients because of the triple tax advantages. In addition, the contribution limit for HSAs is increasing for 2027, creating an occasion for advisors to remind clients of the advantages these plans can bring -- far beyond simply paying for medical expenses.
Market Trends
Healthcare Costs Poised to Jump 9% in 2027 as Health Plans Blame AI Adoption, Drug Prices
Health plans expect the cost of treating patients to climb in 2027, projecting the highest medical cost trend in nearly two decades, according to a new analysis from PwC. Payers are pointing the finger at several inflationary factors, including the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools by health systems, hospitals and medical practices.
Mercer: Employers Eye Cost-Shifting Strategies as Health Benefit Spend Rises
As medical costs continue to rise, employers are weighing a return to policies that shift additional expense to workers, according to a new survey. 48% of those with at least 500 employees are planning to make changes to their benefits in the coming year that will likely lead to higher costs for employees, such as increasing deductibles or copayments.
ACA Premium Shock: Health Insurers Request Hikes up to 30% for 2027
Consumers and small businesses could face a substantial financial burden in 2027, as major health insurance providers officially submit rate requests seeking steep premium increases of up to 30%. Soaring medical service costs and the expiration of pandemic-era federal premium subsidies are driving the steep rate hike requests.
HSAs & Retirement
8-in-10 Americans Expect High Healthcare Costs in Retirement, and Fidelity’s 2026 Study Shows How They’re Responding
Healthcare in retirement has become the single highest cost Americans cannot reliably predict, and the anxiety around it is now mainstream. 8 in 10 Americans expect high healthcare costs in retirement. Healthcare now accounts for roughly 24.5% of all service spending, second only to housing. The first response is the most direct, as 25% of Americans are funding HSAs specifically because of retirement healthcare concerns.
The Longevity Paradox: Increased Health Care Costs
At age 65, the average American can expect to live another 20 years. However, those with significant wealth can expect to live almost a decade beyond that. But living longer not only extends the amount of time you'll need to pay for routine health care but also increases your risk of chronic disease.
Medicare Carries Lifetime Warning for Late Enrollees
Delaying Medicare enrollment can trigger penalties that permanently inflate monthly premiums under Medicare rules. The penalty structure covers three components of Medicare coverage, Parts A, B, and D, along with a separate excise tax risk for retirees who are still contributing to Health Savings Accounts.
Consumer-Driven Healthcare
7 Popular Affordable High-Deductible Health Plans for Self-Employed in 2026
A few years ago, I went through open enrollment as a brand‑new solo founder. I needed real coverage, but I also needed to protect cash flow. An HSA‑eligible HDHP felt like the smartest middle ground if I picked the right one. You don’t need the fanciest metal level or the biggest brand to get good value. A solid HSA‑qualified Bronze or Silver plan can work great if preventive care is $0 and your providers are in‑network.
5 Smart Strategies for Cutting Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs keep rising, and for many employees, medical expenses can take a big bite out of their budget. The good news? There are simple ways to take control of your healthcare spending—without sacrificing quality care. By making informed choices and using the benefits available to you, you can keep costs in check. Here’s how.