This course explores health savings accounts: a new way to help consumers meet their health care needs. Used in conjunction with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), health saving accounts, or HSAs, allow individuals to save for current and future medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis. Those in the financial planning or health insurance market must understand these plans and know how and when they may be an appropriate option for any client. The course explains HSAs in detail, including how they are established, how they are maintained, who is eligible, and how account funds may be used. The course covers the following topics:

• the nature, purpose and benefits of HSAs;
• eligibility for an HSA;
• high-deductible health plans that may be used in conjunction with an HSA;
• allowable contributions and distributions
• qualified medical expenses