Health Savings Account (HSA)

The High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) includes a Health Savings Account (HSA), which allows you to set-aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. As an additional benefit, the university will contribute $500 in January 2024 to the HSAs for employees who enroll in the HDHP. Unlike a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you own your HSA account and therefore it’s portable, which means that if you separate from Brandeis, you can take your HSA funds with you. Another key difference between an FSA and an HSA is the ability to invest your HSA funds.

But unlike an FSA, you must qualify for and meet the following IRS requirements to contribute to an HSA:

  • You are covered under the HDHP, and
  • You are not claimed as a dependent on anyone else’s tax return, and
  • You are not enrolled in Medicare, and
  • You cannot have contributions to a HealthCare FSA as of 1/1/2024 (see below).

Opening and Contributing to Your HSA

HSA Contribution FAQs

Four things to know about HSAs

Note: Keep in mind that investing involves risk. The value of your investment will fluctuate over time, and you may gain or lose money.