8 Best Health Savings Account (HSA) Providers [2024]

We all know just how expensive medical bills can be. Whether you’ve just had a baby or your child has broken their arm by falling off the swing set, associated costs can be in the thousands depending on your healthcare plan. These costs aren’t just burdensome—they’re all too common. A recent Kaiser Family Foundation study estimates that 23 million in the U.S. carry medical debt, with around 3 million owing more than $10,000 to medical providers. Given that medical debt is fairly common and it’s difficult to predict (and prevent) many health issues, most people would do well to set aside some money to cover healthcare expenses. And one of the best places to save is a health savings account (HSA). An HSA is a savings and investment account you can use to cover qualifying medical costs such as copays, prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, medical supplies, and more. And in addition to offering flexibility, HSAs are unique in that they offer triple tax benefits (more on that in a moment). Read along as we shine a light on the best health savings accounts (HSAs) you can find. After that, we’ll discuss some of the tax benefits of these unique savings and investment vehicles, and we’ll answer many of the most frequently answered questions surrounding HSAs.

The Best HSA Account Providers—Our Top Picks

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Best HSA Accounts

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  As HSAs have become more commonplace, the provider marketplace has erupted, giving consumers a wealth of choices. The following are among the most noteworthy (and in some cases, longest-standing) HSA providers. Please note that exact interest rates on cash balances are not listed. Interest rates frequently change, so make sure to check the provider’s listed rate when you enroll. Also note that most listed fees, investment minimums and other data are for individual plans, and these numbers might or might not be different under employer-sponsored plans.

1. Fidelity HSA

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• Debit card: Yes
• Insured: Yes (Uninvested cash is insured)
• Minimum balance: $0
• Minimum to invest: $0 for Fidelity HSA, $10 for Fidelity Go HSA
• Investment options: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs (investments depend on account type)

Fidelity offers two options for HSA accounts: the Fidelity HSA or the Fidelity Go HSA. The self-directed Fidelity HSA is best for people who prefer to handle their own investments. With this account, you can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs. It’s also rarity in that it allows you to buy fractional shares of stock. You’ll also benefit from commission-free trades, minimal fees, and no account minimums. This HSA account also comes with a debit card that you can use for qualifying healthcare expenses. These features make the Fidelity HSA a good option for those seeking the flexibility of a self-directed account, as well as individuals or families who might not have a ton of extra cash to set aside for healthcare expenses. People seeking a managed account could opt instead for Fidelity Go HSA, a robo-advised HSA solution. Answer just a few questions, and Fidelity Go will build a portfolio for you. Funds in a Fidelity Go account are invested in Fidelity Flex mutual funds, which feature no management fees and often no fund expenses. Related: 11 Best Investment Accounts

2. HealthEquity HSA

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• Debit card: Yes
• Insured: Yes (Uninvested cash is insured)
• Minimum balance: $0
• Minimum to invest: $500
• Investment options: Mutual funds, annuities

HealthEquity is a fintech company that has provided health savings accounts to customers since 2002. In addition to its HealthEquity HSA, it also offers flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). With a HealthEquity HSA, you can invest in low-cost Vanguard funds with average annual investment fees of just 0.09%, or $9 a year for every $10,000 invested. HealthEquity also charges a 0.03% monthly fee on invested balances, with a maximum total fee of $10/month. And accountholders who don’t want to risk their health savings on mutual funds can earn more than the traditional cash account through HealthEquity’s “Yield Plus,” an uninsured group funded annuity agreement. Interest rates for Yield Plus vary based on account balance. While it’s low-cost, this HSA account is not low on benefits. You can access your account and view your balance anytime through the HealthEquity mobile app. HealthEquity’s Advisor platform can help you determine your investments and allocations. And as an account holder, you’ll also get 24/7 support from real people. This peace of mind is useful if you ever run into an issue or have a question about your account. Related: 9 Best Tax-Advantaged Investments & Accounts to Build Wealth

3. Lively HSA

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• Debit card: Yes
• Insured: Yes (Uninvested cash is insured)
• Minimum balance: $0
• Minimum to invest: $0
• Investment options: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs (investments depend on account type)

Lively HSA offers two investment options: a self-directed health savings brokerage account (HSBA) through Schwab and an HSA Guided Portfolio from Devinir. Both accounts can be managed through the Lively mobile app, and both offer an HSA Visa debit card. The self-directed account offers free access, while the managed portfolio has a 0.50% annual account management fee. Those who opt for a self-directed account can choose to invest in stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, and more, and many trades are commission-free. The Guided Portfolio allows investors to choose from roughly two dozen mutual funds. As its name suggests, the Guided Portfolio offers personalized investment suggestions that align with your risk tolerance. It also offers automatic rebalancing so your investment aligns with your needs and goals. While this account does have an annual fee, its automated features can be useful for those who aren’t interested in a fully self-managed account. Related: 10 Best Stock Trading & Investment Apps for Beginners

4. Starship HSA

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• Debit card: Yes
• Insured: Yes (Uninvested cash is insured)
• Minimum balance: $0
• Minimum to invest: $0
• Investment options: ETFs

Financial technology company Starship offers an HSA with minimal fees, no minimum balance requirement, and a convenient mobile app that lets you view your HSA balance and track your spending all in one place. Those who choose to invest the money in their HSA account will pay $1 per month for balances under $5,000 and an additional 0.35% annually for balances over $5,000. Starship’s investments are limited to ETFs. With the Starship mobile app, you can view your balances, invest money, set savings goals, pay yourself back for healthcare costs, and spend with your Starship debit card. You can also track your spending over time, which could help you predict and prepare for routine healthcare costs each year. Related: 10 Best Micro Investing Apps [Small, Automated Stock Trading]

5. Optum Bank HSA

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• Debit card: Yes
• Insured: Not disclosed
• Minimum balance: $0
• Minimum to invest: $2,000*
• Investment options: Mutual funds, ETFs (investments depend on account type)

Optum Bank is a health and wellness company that was founded in 2003. It offers multiple health accounts, including HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs. Members with a balance over $2,000 can opt to invest their HSA money in either mutual funds through Optum, or a digitally managed portfolio of exchange-traded funds through robo-advisor platform Betterment. Optum offers online bill payment, a mobile app that allows you to directly pay your healthcare provider, and debit cards for the primary accountholder as well as a spouse or dependent. Some members also might have the option of investing in a self-directed health savings brokerage account through Schwab. Employers may charge varying monthly maintenance fees for the Optum Bank HSA. * For individuals and families enrolling on their own. Investment minimums vary from $0 to $2,000 for Optum HSAs provided through an employer group. Related: 20 Best Stock Research & Analysis Apps, Tools and Sites

6. Further HSA (Owned by HealthEquity)

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• Debit card: Yes
• Insured: Sometimes (Uninvested cash is only insured with Further Select HSA accounts)
• Minimum balance: $0
• Minimum to invest: $1,000
• Investment options: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs (investments depend on account type)

Further, acquired by HealthEquity in 2021, is an HSA account provider that also offers HRAs, FSAs, voluntary employee beneficiary associations (VEBAs), and more. Those interested in a Further HSA can choose from three options:

1. Further Premium HSA
2. Further Value HSA
3. Further Select HSA

The Further Value HSA has a $1 monthly administration fee and has the second-highest interest rates of the three. The Further Select HSA has a $3 monthly fee, and while it has the lowest interest rates, it is also FDIC-insured. The Premium offering offers interest rates well above the other two plans, but it’s the most expensive at $4 per month. All three offer varying investment options depending on account balance. (Note: All costs listed are for individuals; employer plan costs may vary.) Members with a base balance of more than $1,000 can invest any amount over that $1,000 in a Basic Investment Account, which allows you to select from more than 30 mutual funds. If a member’s base balance grows to above $11,000, they can open a Schwab HSBA, where they have access to stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs, as well as various financial planning tools. They can invest $10,000 (or any larger amount) in the Schwab HSBA; $1,000 must remain in the savings account. Users also can sign up for Crossover, also known as Automated Claim Payment, that lets your health plan electronically submit your claims to Further to be reimbursed, saving you some paperwork hassles. Related: 18 Best Debit Cards for Teens to Become Money Savvy

7. HSA Bank

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• Debit card available: Yes
• Insured: Not disclosed
• Minimum balance: $0
• Minimum to invest: $1,000
• Investment options: Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs (investments depend on account type)

Initially established as State Bank of Howards Grove in 1913, health savings account administrator HSA Bank has been focused exclusively on providing HSAs to its members since 2004. Its health savings accounts come with minimal fees, and like Lively, it offers two investment options: a self-directed brokerage account through TD Ameritrade or a guided portfolio from Devinir. Through TD Ameritrade, account holders can choose to invest in stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. With Devinir, you can invest in a select group of no-load mutual funds and take advantage of automatic rebalancing. Maintenance fees for the savings portion of the account are variable, though these fees typically can be avoided by maintaining some hold of minimum balance in your HSA Bank cash account that varies by employer plan. Related: Best Long-Term Investments for Young Adults to Make

8. HSA Authority

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• Debit card available: Yes
• Insured: Yes (Uninvested cash is insured)
• Minimum balance: $0
• Minimum to invest: $1,000
• Investment options: Mutual funds

Launched by Old National Bank in 2004, HSA Authority is one of the longest-standing providers of HSAs in the U.S. Old National Bank sold its HSA business to UMB Healthcare Services in June 2022, but HSA Authority will continue to serve employers and individuals across the U.S. Health savings accounts opened through HSA Authority require no enrollment fee, nor any monthly or annual fees on savings. You can begin investing your savings in no-load/no-fee-to-purchase mutual funds once your account balance reaches $1,000, but you are required to open an HSA Checking Account through Old National before investing. Accountholders who invest through their HSA must pay a $36 annual fee. Related: 14 Best Discount Brokers [Low-Cost Online Brokerage Accounts]

What Is a Health Savings Account?

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A health savings account (HSA) is a special type of account that’s available to individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). HSA accounts offer both a savings component and an investment component. The cash balances held in savings often earn interest and might be Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-insured, while the investment portion can serve as a supplementary retirement fund. Health savings accounts offer some valuable tax benefits, including pre-tax or tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. If you’re 65 or older, you can also use HSA funds for non-qualified expenses, too, though those funds will be subject to regular income taxes. HSAs can be a useful vehicle for offsetting the cost of qualified medical costs, building a retirement nest egg, and even helping contributors reduce their total taxable income.

What Are Qualified Medical Expenses?

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HSAs’ primary use, of course, is to cover qualified medical expenses, which in short is any type of medical expense you could typically deduct on your annual taxes. Examples of common qualified expenses include (but aren’t limited to):

• Copays
• Prescriptions
• Over-the-counter medications
• Premiums
• Eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Certain types of medical equipment/devices
• Hearing aids
• Fertility treatments
• Addiction treatments
• Ambulance services
• Dentures
• Chiropractic care

What Are the Tax Benefits of HSAs?

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HSAs are often said to have “triple” tax benefits.

1. Contributions are pre-tax if your HSA is employer-provided or post-tax but tax-deductible if you’ve signed up for a personal HSA. This exemption is from federal income, Social Security, and Medicare taxes. Contributions are also exempt from state taxes in most states.
2. Investment gains, dividends, and interest income are tax-free.
3. You won’t pay taxes on withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

For 2023, individuals with self-only health insurance coverage can contribute up to $3,850 to an HSA, and people with family coverage can contribute up to $7,750 ($4,150 and $8,300, respectively, for 2024). And unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), unused cash in an HSA will roll over each year, so you don’t need to worry about losing any money you haven’t used. This is what makes HSA a great option for stashing away additional retirement savings.

Who Is Allowed to Open an HSA?

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While contributing to an HSA has advantages, not everyone is eligible for this type of account. To qualify, you’ll need a high-deductible health plan, which for 2023 must have a minimum deductible of $1,500 for self-only coverage or $3,000 for family coverage ($1,600 and $3,200, respectively, for 2024). In addition, the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum for 2023 can’t exceed $7,500 for self-only coverage or $15,000 for family coverage ($8,050 and $16,100, respectively, for 2024). YATI Tip: Depending on your provider and account rules, HSA funds might not cover deductibles, so you’ll also need the financial means to cover a hefty deductible. HSAs are frequently offered by employers, though you can also get one on your own as long as you have an HDHP.

Features to Look for in Health Savings Accounts

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People with high-deductible healthcare plans can generally open an HSA on their own if their employer doesn’t offer these accounts. So, if you’re thinking about getting an HSA to save for medical bills and/or retirement, here are some important features to look for:

	Minimum Balance to Invest	Maintenance/ Recurring Fees	Investment Fees	Investment Options
Lively	$0	None	Schwab HSBA: $24/yr. HSA Guided Portfolio: 0.50% annually	Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs*
Starship	$0	None	$1/mo. on investing balances below $5,000. Additional 0.35%/yr. on balances over $5,000	ETFs
Fidelity	Fidelity HSA: $0 Fidelity Go HSA: $10	None	Fidelity HSA: No fees. Fidelity Go HSA: No advisory fees for balances under $10,000; $3/mo. for a balance of $10,000-$49,999, 0.35%/yr. for balances of $50,000 and above.	Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs*
HealthEquity	$500	None	0.03%/mo. (0.36%/yr.) on average daily invested balance, with a $10 monthly fee cap	Mutual funds, Yield Plus
Further	$1,000	Value: $1/mo. Select: $3/mo. Premium: $4/mo.	$18/yr. for Basic Investment Account and/or Schwab HSBA**	Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs*
HSA Authority	$1,000	None	$36/yr.	Mutual funds
HSA Bank	$1,000	Variable, waived at certain account thresholds	Devenir Mutual Fund Investment Account: 0.075%/qtr. (0.30%/yr.), not assessed on funds over $50,000. Minimum fee of $1.50/qtr. TD HSBA: Variable, may be waived at certain account thresholds	Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs*
Optum Bank	$2,000***	Variable, waived at certain account thresholds	Variable	Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs*
* Investment options vary depending on account type/threshold ** Members with both a Basic Investment Account and Schwab HSBA will only pay one $18/yr. fee *** When investing in mutual funds through Optum, the minimum amount that can be transferred is $100, effectively making $2,100 the minimum threshold to invest

Low (or no) monthly maintenance fees

Research the monthly fees charged by HSA providers. While many HSA administrators advertise no hidden fees, charges such as monthly maintenance fees are relatively common, so be on the lookout for those. Monthly fees can add up, so it’s best to choose an account with minimal (or ideally no) fees.

Other account fees

While we’re on the subject, determine how much you’ll be charged for the investment portion of your account. For instance, annual account management fees or another type of investment fee might apply. Account management fees could vary based on investment types and whether your account is self-directed, guided, or managed. And some HSAs charge employers recordkeeping fees when they offer HSAs to their employees; some eat the cost, others pass it along to employees. Again: The less you pay, the more you save.

HSA debit card access

Find out if the HSA administrator offers free debit card access along with its accounts. Having a specific debit card for your healthcare spending can be useful, as it makes things easy to track. Some HSAs also offer debit cards for your spouse and dependent children. Using separate debit cards for medical expenses can give you a helpful paper trail if you’re ever audited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Online bill pay

Online bill pay is another useful feature offered by some HSA administrators. Instead of paying your qualifying medical bills with a credit card or debit card, you might be able to pay them directly using your HSA account. Other providers may let you reimburse yourself with your HSA funds by linking up your HSA account balance with a savings or checking account at your bank or credit union.

Investment options

Your investment options within an HSA might vary not just from one HSA provider to another, but even within the different accounts offered by the same provider. For instance, one HSA provider might allow you to choose from among several low-cost Vanguard mutual funds, while another provides access to numerous mutual fund families, as well as stocks, bonds, and ETFs. Research investment options to find an account that aligns with your needs.

Comprehensive medical expense tracking and reporting

You can gain insights into your healthcare spending with comprehensive medical expense tracking and reporting. This insight can help you determine where your money is going and project your future medical expenses. Tracking and reporting can also be useful in the event that the IRS audits you.

Tax reporting

As you shop around, ask how HSA providers help at tax time. HSA contributions and distributions are reportable on your tax returns, using IRS Forms 5498-SA and 1099-SA, respectively. Confirm that your HSA will distribute those forms to you before tax season arrives.

Minimum balance requirements

Determine whether a minimum balance is required for each HSA’s cash account and investment account. Some HSA providers require a minimum balance, while others don’t. For instance, you might need at least $2,000 in an HSA in order to invest, depending on the company you have an account with. Generally, there’s no minimum balance required for uninvested cash balances, but be sure to double-check just in case.

Interest rates

Many providers offer interest-bearing HSA accounts. Compare interest rates for the savings portion of different HSAs. Look for an account that offers competitive interest rates as well as other features that appeal to you. Also weigh the differences in interest rates against account fees. If an account comes with a higher interest rate, high fees could offset any additional interest you earn.

Insurance

Cash balances stored in HSA accounts are often insured by the FDIC or NCUA. As you compare providers, determine whether the bank or credit union holding your funds is insured by these institutions. Note that only cash balances in a bank account are likely to be insured; investment balances aren’t insured against market downturns. However, investment balances might be insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which can protect your balance if the investment firm managing your account goes out of business.

Designed for individual HSA accounts or employers

Certain HSA providers might work exclusively with employers, while some will also work with individuals. If you plan to open an account on your own, then, you’ll need to choose a provider that offers plans to individuals.

Intuitive desktop portal

If you typically access your health savings account information on your laptop or desktop computer, look for an HSA provider that offers an intuitive desktop portal—one that allows you to access your account quickly and easily.

Mobile app

If you prefer to be able to access your account on the go, ensure that your HSA provider offers a mobile app. Many providers have mobile apps that let you track your balances and spending, review reimbursements to your checking or savings accounts, pay bills online, and more.

How to Choose the Right HSA For You

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If your HSA account is employer-provided, you might not have a choice about which account you sign up for. But if you’re comparing options independently, your range of options is broader. Look for accounts with minimal fees and features (like those above) that suit your needs. For instance, you might opt for a Fidelity HSA, which has no monthly maintenance fee and a self-directed investment account. Also compare interest rates, investment options, and minimum balance requirements as you shop around. While we’ve provided objective rankings of the best HSAs above, the best health savings account for you will depend on your unique needs and investment preferences.

Other FAQs About Health Savings Accounts

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Who should open a health savings account?

You should open an HSA if you want a tax-advantaged way to save for medical expenses and/or retirement. Contributions can be used to pay medical bills, or you can simply let them grow tax-free, using them as supplementary funds for retirement. Naturally, whether an HSA makes sense for you specifically depends on your unique situation.

What are the rules for having an HSA?

If you’d like to contribute to a health savings account, HSA providers will require you to clear a few bars, including:

Be covered by a qualifying high-deductible health plan

HSAs are reserved for individuals that have high-deductible health plans, or HDHPs. These plans come with higher-than-average deductibles, but might also offer lower premiums. HDHPs have minimum deductibles of $1,500 for people with self-only coverage or $3,000 for family coverage in 2023 ($1,600 and $3,200, respectively, for 2024). Annual out-of-pocket expenses for 2023 can’t exceed $7,500 for self-only coverage or $15,000 for family coverage with an HDHP ($8,050 and $16,100, respectively, for 2024).

Not be covered by another health insurance plan

If you’re covered by another health insurance plan that’s not an HDHP, you might not qualify for a health savings account. Those with a separate dental plan, vision plan, or long-term disability coverage still might qualify.

Don’t have any disqualifying medical savings accounts (FSA, HRA, etc.)

Generally, you can’t have both a flexible spending account (FSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) and an HSA. You also generally won’t be able to open a new HSA account or contribute to an existing one if you’re enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B.

How much can I contribute to an HSA?

Health savings accounts have annual contribution limits, but if you have a remaining balance in the account at the end of the year, that balance can carry over (i.e., it’s not a “use it or lose it” account). For 2023, anyone with self-only coverage under a HDHP can contribute up to $3,850 to an HSA and those with a family plan can contribute up to $7,750 ($4,150 and $8,300, respectively, for 2024). Those older than 55 can make catch-up contributions of an extra $1,000 annually.

How can you use HSA funds?

Account holders can use HSA funds to pay medical bills, either in the current year or in the future. But if you’re under 65, medical bills need to be for qualified expenses. Those 65 and older can use HSA distributions for pretty much any expense, though distributions are subject to ordinary income taxes. Your HSA account can also serve as a tax-advantaged supplemental retirement account.

What happens if you use HSA funds for non-qualified medical expenses?

If you’re under 65 and you use HSA funds for a non-qualified expense, you’ll need to pay federal income taxes at your regular income tax rate on the distribution as well as a 20% penalty. Those over 65 can draw from their HSA to cover any cost; if it’s for a non-qualified expense, the distribution will be taxable but won’t incur the additional 20% penalty.

Should you invest your entire HSA balance?

Whether you should invest your entire HSA balance depends on how you’re using your account. If you draw from it frequently to cover medical bills, investing your entire balance might not be the best choice. But if you don’t, you might opt to invest your entire balance to allow it to grow tax-free; after all, in the future, you could still use it to pay for medical expenses. Talk to an investment professional if you’re wondering if investing your HSA balance makes sense for you.

What is the difference between an HSA and an FSA?

There are multiple differences between a health spending account and a flexible spending account. HSAs are generally owned by the employee, while FSAs are owned by the employer. This means that if you leave your job, you can generally take the funds in your HSA with you, while funds in your FSA will stay behind. Unused contributions to an HSA also carry over to the next year, while contributions to an FSA generally do not. Here’s a quick comparison of HSAs vs. FSAs to give you a sense of how they’re different:

	HSA	FSA
Who owns it?	Employee or individual	Employer
Do funds carry over?	Yes	No
What are max contributions in 2023?	$3,850 for individuals	$3,050 for individuals
	$7,750 for families	N/A
Can you take the account with you if you leave your job?	Yes	No
What is the tax treatment?	Contributions are pre-tax (if made by employer) or tax-deductible (if made by employee)	Contributions are pre-tax
HDHP required?	Yes	No, but a regular health plan is required

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