HSA Eligibility Checklist: How to Know If You Even Qualify
You can only contribute to an HSA if you meet all four requirements. This step-by-step checklist helps you confirm your eligibility.
The Short Answer
You can only contribute to an HSA if all of the following are true:
- You're enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP)
- You don't have other disqualifying health coverage
- You're not enrolled in Medicare
- You're not claimed as someone else's tax dependent
If even one of those isn't true, you don't qualify to contribute to an HSA — even if your benefits portal says "HSA available."
Why HSA Eligibility Is So Commonly Misunderstood
HSAs sound simple, but eligibility rules trip people up because employers advertise HSAs without explaining the fine print, spouse and dependent coverage is easy to overlook, Medicare rules surprise people later, and benefits portals don't flag conflicts clearly.
As a result, people contribute when they shouldn't, miss out when they actually qualify, or get hit with penalties months later. This checklist exists to prevent that.
Step 1: Are You Enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)?
This is the non-negotiable requirement. To qualify for an HSA, your health plan must be classified as an HDHP for the year.
- Has a higher deductible
- Has a lower monthly premium
- Meets IRS minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket rules
If your plan documents explicitly say "HSA-eligible" or "HDHP", that's a good sign — but don't stop here.
If you're not enrolled in an HDHP, you are not eligible for an HSA. You can still use an FSA instead.
Step 2: Do You Have Any Other Health Coverage?
This is where many people accidentally disqualify themselves. You cannot contribute to an HSA if you have other health coverage that pays for medical expenses before your HDHP deductible is met.
- A general-purpose FSA (even through a spouse)
- Coverage under a non-HDHP plan
- Certain employer-sponsored health reimbursement arrangements
- Some veteran or military benefits (depending on timing)
- A limited-purpose FSA (vision/dental only)
- A dependent care FSA
- Accident-only or disability coverage
If any plan can pay for your medical expenses before your deductible, HSA contributions are not allowed.
Step 3: Is Your Spouse's Plan Affecting You?
This is one of the most overlooked rules. If your spouse has a general-purpose FSA that can reimburse your medical expenses, you are not eligible to contribute to an HSA — even if you didn't sign up for the FSA.
This catches a lot of couples by surprise. Eligibility looks at household coverage, not just your own elections.
- Spouse has a limited-purpose FSA
- Spouse has a dependent care FSA
- Spouse has coverage that does not cover you
Step 4: Are You Enrolled in Medicare?
If you're enrolled in any part of Medicare, you cannot contribute to an HSA.
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
- Medicare Advantage plans
Important timing detail: Medicare can apply retroactively. Many people must stop HSA contributions before their Medicare start date.
You can still use existing HSA funds after enrolling in Medicare — you just can't add new money.
Step 5: Are You Claimed as Someone Else's Tax Dependent?
If someone else claims you as a dependent on their tax return, you cannot contribute to an HSA — even if you otherwise meet the requirements.
- Young adults on a parent's tax return
- Certain family situations during transitions
HSA eligibility requires that you are not a dependent for tax purposes.
Step 6: Did Your Eligibility Change Mid-Year?
HSA eligibility is determined month by month. That means you might qualify for part of the year, or you might lose eligibility due to a job change, spouse's plan change, or Medicare enrollment.
- Contribution limits may need to be prorated
- Overcontributing can trigger penalties
If anything changed this year, your contribution strategy should reflect that.
Quick Eligibility Summary
You are HSA-eligible if and only if:
- You have an HSA-eligible HDHP
- You have no other disqualifying health coverage
- Your spouse's coverage doesn't cover you pre-deductible
- You are not enrolled in Medicare
- You are not claimed as a dependent
Miss one? You don't qualify for contributions (though existing HSA funds can still be used).
Common Mistakes People Make
- Assuming "HDHP" automatically means HSA-eligible
- Forgetting about spouse FSAs
- Contributing after Medicare starts
- Not adjusting contributions after job changes
- Relying on payroll systems to catch errors
Payroll systems often don't stop you from contributing — the IRS enforces eligibility later.
One Thing to Remember
HSA eligibility is strict — but once you qualify, the flexibility is powerful.
Knowing where you stand is the first step to choosing confidently.
Confirm your eligibility in under 2 minutes
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or medical advice. Eligibility rules vary by individual situation and plan design.
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