Health Savings Account

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA)

The Health Savings Account (HSA) is a feature of the Green Plan. (You are not eligible for an HSA if you elect the Blue Plan or Gold Plan.)

Here’s how the HSA works:

• Throughout the year (over 24 pay periods), Children’s Mercy will incrementally fund your HSA – up to $500 to $1,000, depending on your coverage level. You can use the money to pay for eligible medical expenses before you pay anything out of your pocket, or you can choose to pay for the eligible expenses out of your pocket and save your HSA dollars for future eligible medical expenses.
• You can contribute to your HSA, too, up to the annual IRS maximum. For 2023, you and Children’s Mercy together can contribute up to $3,850 if you cover yourself only and $7,750 if you cover dependents. If you’re age 55 or older, you can contribute an extra $1,000 in catch-up contributions. Your contributions will be withheld from the first two pay checks of each month (24 pay periods). (Refer to chart below for information on how to determine your maximum employee contribution.)
• The money you put into your HSA is not taxed, the money you take out of your HSA to pay for eligible expenses is not taxed and the interest you earn on your account balance is not taxed. In other words, you benefit from a triple-tax advantage.
• Unless you owe a copay for a medical service, you don't pay anything at the time of your visit. You'll receive an Explanation of Benefits from Cigna, which will clearly state what you owe after receiving medical care. If you have money in your HSA, you can use it to pay for your services (using the debit card you’ll receive shortly after you enroll). Or, you can pay out of your pocket and save your HSA dollars for future eligible medical expenses.
• Any unused dollars in your HSA at the end of the plan year will roll over for you to use in the next plan year. Log in to your HealthEquity account to check your HSA balance throughout the year.
• Your HSA is yours to keep. If you leave Children’s Mercy or retire, you take it with you to pay for future eligible expenses. Note: While you're actively enrolled in the Green Plan (which is a Children's Mercy sponsored qualified high deductible health plan), Children's Mercy will pay the associated HealthEquity monthly HSA administration fee. Once you are no longer enrolled in the Green Plan (due to separation from Children's Mercy, enrolling in a different plan, etc.), you are responsible for paying the monthly HSA administration fee. For fee inquires, please see your account or contact HealthEquity.
• When you and/or your covered spouse complete wellbeing activities, you earn points, which convert to dollars in your HSA. If you are a new hire and your benefit eligibility period is between June 1 and Dec. 31, you automatically will receive $400. If your eligibility period is between Jan. 1 and May 31, you automatically will receive $200. Your wellbeing dollars will be funded to your HSA throughout the year on the first two paychecks of each month (a maximum of 24). To learn more, call (833) 724-2453 or visit Virgin Pulse online today. To activate your Virgin Pulse account, you will need your date of birth and employee ID number.
• Refer to the chart below to estimate the maximum contribution you can make to your HSA. Keep in mind that the annual limit includes your contributions as well as Children's Mercy contributions and all wellbeing dollars you earn.

*The Children’s Mercy employer contribution will be funded over 24 pay periods. Employees and eligible spouses can receive up to $400 each in additional HSA contributions for completing wellbeing activities.