Health Savings Plan with HSA

The Health Savings Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA) is a high deductible health plan that combines current-year coverage with the opportunity to save for both current and long-term health expenses. The Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings feature that lets you save money to cover medical expenses now and in the future.

The Health Savings Plan covers the same types of expenses the BCBS PPO Plan covers, including 100% coverage for preventive care. Additionally, the same BCBS National PPO network of providers applies to both plans.

To learn more about the BU Health Savings Plan, take a look at these resources:

The Health Savings Account (HSA)

If you elect the Health Savings Plan, you are eligible to open a Health Savings Account (HSA) through Fidelity. A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-exempt account established primarily to pay for qualified out-of-pocket expenses not covered by the health plan. Money in your HSA can be used to pay for deductibles, coinsurance, and qualified health services such as doctor visits, hospital care, and prescription drugs

Funding Your HSA

For 2026, the University will contribute $500 for single coverage and $1,000 for other coverage levels once you open and contribute to your HSA with Fidelity. The University’s contributions will be credited once you open the HSA account. Like all other funds in your account, it can be used immediately to pay eligible expenses, tax-free, saved for future expenses or even withdrawn (although such withdrawals may then be taxable). Even if you leave the University, these contributions remain yours. Unlike a Flexible Spending Account for Health Care, you do not forfeit any unused funds at the end of the year in which they were contributed. 

You may contribute to your HSA using pre-tax dollars through payroll deduction. Your contributions plus the University’s contribution cannot exceed the IRS maximum:

HSA Coverage Level
2026 IRS Limit
BU Contribution*
Maximum Employee Contribution
Single, under age 55 $4,400 $500 $3,900
Family, under age 55 $8,750 $1,000 $7,750
Single, age 55 and over $5,400 $500 $4,900
Family, age 55 and over $9,750 $1,000 $8,750

*  In order to receive University contributions, you must open and contribute to an HSA with Fidelity Investments. If you have a Health Care FSA balance remaining from 2025, neither you nor the University can contribute to an HSA until April 1, 2026.

The University’s contributions will be credited to your HSA once your first payroll contribution is made to the account.

Important HSA Rules

To contribute to an HSA, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan as defined by the IRS; the Health Savings Plan is intended to qualify as a high-deductible plan.
  • You cannot be covered under any other medical plan.
  • Neither you nor your spouse can have a health care flexible spending account (FSA) in 2026 to pay for medical expenses.
  • You cannot be claimed as a dependent on anyone else’s tax return.
  • Neither you nor the University may contribute to the HSA once you attain age 65 if you enroll in Medicare Part A.

Medicare and Health Savings Accounts:

  • If you are enrolled in Medicare, you cannot be enrolled in a Health Savings Account, and you can no longer contribute to the HSA or receive employer contributions to your HSA. However, you may continue to invest your money and be reimbursed for qualified expenses.
  • If you delay your enrollment in Medicare, you may continue to make contributions to your HSA past the age of 65, as long as you are still covered by a qualified High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account until 6 months prior to enrolling in Medicare Part A. In addition, you are eligible to make an additional $1,000 in yearly HSA catch-up contributions.
  • If you enroll in SSI (the income portion of Social Security), this automatically enrolls you in Medicare Part A and you would not be eligible to contribute to your HSA or receive employer contributions.

NOTE: In Alabama, California and New Jersey, state income taxes may apply to your Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions. For more information, consult your personal tax advisor.

For additional questions, please contact the Human Resources Service Center at hr@bu.edu or 617-353-2380.