Health savings accounts (HSA) and high-deductible plans
A tax break for money you set aside for care, paired with a plan that has a higher deductible.
Last checked October 24, 2026 · Written by licensed advisors · Sources are numbered and listed under Notes and sources
HSA limits for 2027 (and 2026)
The IRS sets these every year. For 2027 you can put up to $4,500 in an HSA with self-only coverage, or $9,000 with family coverage. Just you / family:123
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Most you can put in an HSA | $4,400 / $8,750 | $4,500 / $9,000 |
| HDHP minimum deductible | $1,700 / $3,400 | $1,750 / $3,500 |
| HDHP out-of-pocket maximum | $8,500 / $17,000 | $8,700 / $17,400 |
| Extra you can put in at 55 or older | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Not sure which plan fits? Get a quote in about 2 minutes
A Certified Insurance Advisor goes over the plans in your ZIP code with you, at no cost to you.
By calling this number, you will reach a licensed insurance agent.
New: bronze Marketplace plans now count
Starting in 2026, bronze and catastrophic plans bought through the Marketplace are treated as HSA-eligible. For self-employed people, that means a low-premium bronze plan plus an HSA, with the tax break on what you save for care.45
What is a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)?
A high-deductible health plan, or HDHP, is a plan with a lower monthly premium and a higher deductible. For 2027 the IRS sets the minimum deductible at $1,750 for one person and $3,500 for a family.2
- Lower monthly premium
- Higher deductible
- Can pair with an HSA
- 2027 minimum deductible: $1,750 or $3,500
How an HSA works
A health savings account is your own savings account for medical costs. Money you put in lowers your taxable income, it grows tax-free, and it comes out tax-free when you spend it on qualified care. Unused money rolls over every year and stays yours if you change jobs or plans.
To put money in, you need an HSA-eligible health plan, called a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), and no other health coverage that disqualifies you, such as Medicare.63
- Put money inLowers your taxable income
- It growsTax-free
- Spend on careTax-free for qualified costs (key step)
- Next yearUnused money rolls over and stays yours
HDHP or PPO?
An HDHP has a lower monthly premium and a higher deductible, and it lets you use an HSA. A PPO usually costs more each month, has a lower deductible, and lets you see out-of-network doctors at a higher price. The two can overlap: some PPOs are HSA-eligible HDHPs.
An HDHP with an HSA tends to fit people who are mostly healthy and can put money aside. If you expect regular care, a plan with a lower deductible can cost less overall.7
- Lower monthly premium
- Higher deductible
- Lets you use an HSA
- Tends to fit people who are mostly healthy
- Usually higher monthly premium
- Lower deductible
- Out-of-network doctors at a higher price
- Can cost less overall with regular care
Who should not pick an HDHP
An HDHP saves money mainly for people who rarely need care. If you see doctors often, take costly prescriptions, expect a baby or a planned surgery, or could not pay the deductible from savings, a plan with a lower deductible may cost less over the year, even with a higher premium.7
- You see doctors or specialists often
- You take costly prescriptions
- You expect a baby or a planned surgery
- You couldn’t pay the deductible from savings
Keep in mind
You pay the full price of care until you meet the deductible, which can run to thousands. An HSA helps only if you actually put money in. Supplemental coverage, such as hospital indemnity, pays you a fixed cash amount after a covered hospital stay, which you can put toward the deductible.3
What to do: Ask your tax professional how much to contribute. We can show you which plans in your county are HSA-eligible.
Ready to see your options? An advisor is one call away.
By calling this number, you will reach a licensed insurance agent.
Related guides
Obamacare Hotline and/or Medicare Po Polsku are private companies not affiliated with any local, state, or federal government agency. This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice.