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Understanding HSA & FSA Cards

HSA FSA_KB Media

What Is an HSA Card?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) card works like a debit card, allowing individuals with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to pay for qualified medical expenses directly from their HSA account.

Who Can Use It?

Anyone who:

  • Is enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)

  • Is not enrolled in Medicare

  • Meets other IRS eligibility requirements

Where and When to Use It:

You can use an HSA card:

  • Anytime a qualified medical expense occurs

  • At any healthcare provider or merchant that accepts debit cards and sells eligible products or services

Why Use an HSA Card?

  • Streamlined payments

  • Easy expense tracking

  • Tax-advantaged contributions, earnings, and withdrawals for medical expenses


What Is an FSA Card?

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) card also works like a debit card, but it's tied to an employer-sponsored FSA plan. It allows employees to pay for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses using pre-tax dollars from their FSA account.

Who Can Use It?

Anyone who:

  • Is employed by a company that offers an FSA

  • Elects to participate during their employer's open enrollment

  • Remains employed and enrolled in the plan

Where and When to Use It:

You can use an FSA card:

  • Throughout the plan year or grace period (if allowed)

  • At merchants and providers that accept FSA cards and sell eligible products/services

Why Use an FSA Card?

  • Pre-tax funds reduce taxable income

  • Immediate access to the full annual election amount at the start of the plan year

  • Helps manage healthcare expenses without waiting for account balance to build


HSA vs FSA Comparison
Feature HSA FSA
Eligibility Must have a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) Offered through employer
Account Ownership Individual Employer
Rollover Funds roll over indefinitely Limited rollover or use-it-or-lose-it
Portability Stays with employee Usually forfeited if employment ends
Contribution Limits Higher annual limits (IRS-defined) Lower annual limits (IRS-defined)
Tax Benefits Triple tax advantage Pre-tax contributions
Enrollment Self-initiated Employer enrollment
Access to Funds Only what's contributed so far Full annual election available on Day 1