SmarterHSA Blog #2: Start with the Basics

SmarterHSA Blog: Start with the Basics

With high deductible health plan (HDHP) election at an all-time high, it’s critical that your employees know how to make best use of an H.S.A.  How do you educate them?  It’s best to do so in a series of communications, both in-person and electronically.   
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Giving employees a base knowledge of the basics is important, regardless of how long a HDHP/H.S.A. program has been offered to them at your organization.  We have seen a lot of confusion about the basics of an H.S.A. over the past couple of open enrollments, so it’s important to not take the basics for granted. 

What are some of the key items that we would consider good starting points?

1. Key differences between traditional plans and high deductible health plans (HDHP).
2. Explain to them what makes a health plan “health savings account eligible/qualified”.
3. The general concept of a health savings account.
4. This is your money.  You do not lose it when you change jobs.  You do no lose it if you don’t use the funds during a particular calendar year.

I will go into more detail about these items, but this is a good reminder to start with the basics.  Keeping the message simple and concise has worked for us when educating employees.

As always, your feedback and comments are appreciated.