The impact of health reform on HSAs

The health care reform law contains only two direct changes to health savings accounts (HSAs): eliminating the ability to use the HSA for over-the-counter drugs and increasing the early withdrawal penalty from 10% to 20%. The indirect changes, however, could drastically curtail the growth of HSAs or even result in the end of HSAs. The actual impact is uncertain at this time because much of the detail of the law is left to regulatory interpretation. This article identifies and analyzes seven areas in the new law that could indirectly impact HSAs.