Deduction allowed
In the case of an individual who is an eligible individual for any month during the taxable year, there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to the aggregate amount paid in cash during such taxable year by or on behalf of such individual to a health savings account of such individual.
Limitations
In general
The amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) to an individual for the taxable year shall not exceed the sum of the monthly limitations for months during such taxable year that the individual is an eligible individual.
Monthly limitation
Additional contributions for individuals 55 or older
In general
In the case of an individual who has attained age 55 before the close of the taxable year, the applicable limitation under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) shall be increased by the additional contribution amount.
Additional contribution amount
For taxable years beginning in: | The additional contribution amount is: |
|---|---|
2004 | $500 |
2005 | $600 |
2006 | $700 |
2007 | $800 |
2008 | $900 |
2009 and thereafter | $1,000. |
Coordination with other contributions
Special rule for married individuals
Denial of deduction to dependents
No deduction shall be allowed under this section to any individual with respect to whom a deduction under section 151 is allowable to another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning in the calendar year in which such individual’s taxable year begins.
Medicare eligible individuals
The limitation under this subsection for any month with respect to an individual shall be zero for the first month such individual is entitled to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act and for each month thereafter.
Increase in limit for individuals becoming eligible individuals after the beginning of the year
In general
Failure to maintain high deductible health plan coverage
In general
Exception for disability or death
Subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (i) shall not apply if the individual ceased to be an eligible individual by reason of the death of the individual or the individual becoming disabled (within the meaning of section 72(m)(7)).
Testing period
The term “testing period” means the period beginning with the last month of the taxable year referred to in subparagraph (A) and ending on the last day of the 12th month following such month.
Definitions and special rules
Eligible individual
In general
Certain coverage disregarded
Special rule for individuals eligible for certain veterans benefits
section 101(16) of title 38An individual shall not fail to be treated as an eligible individual for any period merely because the individual receives hospital care or medical services under any law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for a service-connected disability (within the meaning of , United States Code).
Special rule for individuals receiving benefits subject to surprise billing statutes
An individual shall not fail to be treated as an eligible individual for any period merely because the individual receives benefits for medical care subject to and in accordance with section 9816 or 9817, section 2799A–1 or 2799A–2 of the Public Health Service Act, or section 716 or 717 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or any State law providing similar protections to such individual.
Treatment of direct primary care service arrangements
In general
A direct primary care service arrangement shall not be treated as a health plan for purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii).
Direct primary care service arrangement
In general
The term “direct primary care service arrangement” means, with respect to any individual, an arrangement under which such individual is provided medical care (as defined in section 213(d)) consisting solely of primary care services provided by primary care practitioners (as defined in section 1833(x)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, determined without regard to clause (ii) thereof), if the sole compensation for such care is a fixed periodic fee.
Limitation
With respect to any individual for any month, such term shall not include any arrangement if the aggregate fees for all direct primary care service arrangements (determined without regard to this subclause) with respect to such individual for such month exceed $150 (twice such dollar amount in the case of an individual with any direct primary care service arrangement (as so determined) that covers more than one individual).
Certain services specifically excluded from treatment as primary care services
High deductible health plan
In general
Exclusion of certain plans
Such term does not include a health plan if substantially all of its coverage is coverage described in paragraph (1)(B).
Safe harbor for absence of preventive care deductible
A plan shall not fail to be treated as a high deductible health plan by reason of failing to have a deductible for preventive care (within the meaning of section 1861 of the Social Security Act, except as otherwise provided by the Secretary).
Special rules for network plans
Annual out-of-pocket limitation
Such plan shall not fail to be treated as a high deductible health plan by reason of having an out-of-pocket limitation for services provided outside of such network which exceeds the applicable limitation under subparagraph (A)(ii).
Annual deductible
Such plan’s annual deductible for services provided outside of such network shall not be taken into account for purposes of subsection (b)(2).
Safe harbor for absence of deductible for telehealth
A plan shall not fail to be treated as a high deductible health plan by reason of failing to have a deductible for telehealth and other remote care services.
Special rule for surprise billing
A plan shall not fail to be treated as a high deductible health plan by reason of providing benefits for medical care in accordance with section 9816 or 9817, section 2799A–1 or 2799A–2 of the Public Health Service Act, or section 716 or 717 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or any State law providing similar protections to individuals, prior to the satisfaction of the deductible under paragraph (2)(A)(i).
Safe harbor for absence of deductible for certain insulin products
In general
A plan shall not fail to be treated as a high deductible health plan by reason of failing to have a deductible for selected insulin products.
Selected insulin products
In general
The term “selected insulin products” means any dosage form (such as vial, pump, or inhaler dosage forms) of any different type (such as rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting, ultra long-acting, and premixed) of insulin.
Insulin
42 U.S.C. 262Public Law 111–148The term “insulin” means insulin that is licensed under subsection (a) or (k) of section 351 of the Public Health Service Act () and continues to be marketed under such section, including any insulin product that has been deemed to be licensed under section 351(a) of such Act pursuant to section 7002(e)(4) of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 () and continues to be marketed pursuant to such licensure.
Bronze and catastrophic plans treated as high deductible health plans
Permitted insurance
Family coverage
The term “family coverage” means any coverage other than self-only coverage.
Archer MSA
The term “Archer MSA” has the meaning given such term in section 220(d).
Health savings account
In general
Qualified medical expenses
In general
The term “qualified medical expenses” means, with respect to an account beneficiary, amounts paid by such beneficiary for medical care (as defined in section 213(d)) for such individual, the spouse of such individual, and any dependent (as defined in section 152, determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof) of such individual, but only to the extent such amounts are not compensated for by insurance or otherwise. For purposes of this subparagraph, amounts paid for menstrual care products shall be treated as paid for medical care.
Health insurance may not be purchased from account
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any payment for insurance.
Exceptions
Menstrual care product
For purposes of this paragraph, the term “menstrual care product” means a tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation or other genital-tract secretions.
Account beneficiary
The term “account beneficiary” means the individual on whose behalf the health savings account was established.
Certain rules to apply
Tax treatment of accounts
In general
A health savings account is exempt from taxation under this subtitle unless such account has ceased to be a health savings account. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any such account is subject to the taxes imposed by section 511 (relating to imposition of tax on unrelated business income of charitable, etc. organizations).
Account terminations
Rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 408(e) shall apply to health savings accounts, and any amount treated as distributed under such rules shall be treated as not used to pay qualified medical expenses.
Tax treatment of distributions
Amounts used for qualified medical expenses
Any amount paid or distributed out of a health savings account which is used exclusively to pay qualified medical expenses of any account beneficiary shall not be includible in gross income.
Inclusion of amounts not used for qualified medical expenses
Any amount paid or distributed out of a health savings account which is not used exclusively to pay the qualified medical expenses of the account beneficiary shall be included in the gross income of such beneficiary.
Excess contributions returned before due date of return
In general
Excess contribution
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “excess contribution” means any contribution (other than a rollover contribution described in paragraph (5) or section 220(f)(5)) which is neither excludable from gross income under section 106(d) nor deductible under this section.
Additional tax on distributions not used for qualified medical expenses
In general
The tax imposed by this chapter on the account beneficiary for any taxable year in which there is a payment or distribution from a health savings account of such beneficiary which is includible in gross income under paragraph (2) shall be increased by 20 percent of the amount which is so includible.
Exception for disability or death
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the payment or distribution is made after the account beneficiary becomes disabled within the meaning of section 72(m)(7) or dies.
Exception for distributions after medicare eligibility
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any payment or distribution after the date on which the account beneficiary attains the age specified in section 1811 of the Social Security Act.
Rollover contribution
In general
Paragraph (2) shall not apply to any amount paid or distributed from a health savings account to the account beneficiary to the extent the amount received is paid into a health savings account for the benefit of such beneficiary not later than the 60th day after the day on which the beneficiary receives the payment or distribution.
Limitation
This paragraph shall not apply to any amount described in subparagraph (A) received by an individual from a health savings account if, at any time during the 1-year period ending on the day of such receipt, such individual received any other amount described in subparagraph (A) from a health savings account which was not includible in the individual’s gross income because of the application of this paragraph.
Coordination with medical expense deduction
For purposes of determining the amount of the deduction under section 213, any payment or distribution out of a health savings account for qualified medical expenses shall not be treated as an expense paid for medical care.
Transfer of account incident to divorce
The transfer of an individual’s interest in a health savings account to an individual’s spouse or former spouse under a divorce or separation instrument described in clause (i) of section 121(d)(3)(C) shall not be considered a taxable transfer made by such individual notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, and such interest shall, after such transfer, be treated as a health savings account with respect to which such spouse is the account beneficiary.
Treatment after death of account beneficiary
Treatment if designated beneficiary is spouse
If the account beneficiary’s surviving spouse acquires such beneficiary’s interest in a health savings account by reason of being the designated beneficiary of such account at the death of the account beneficiary, such health savings account shall be treated as if the spouse were the account beneficiary.
Other cases
In general
Special rules
Reduction of inclusion for predeath expenses
The amount includible in gross income under clause (i) by any person (other than the estate) shall be reduced by the amount of qualified medical expenses which were incurred by the decedent before the date of the decedent’s death and paid by such person within 1 year after such date.
Deduction for estate taxes
An appropriate deduction shall be allowed under section 691(c) to any person (other than the decedent or the decedent’s spouse) with respect to amounts included in gross income under clause (i) by such person.
Cost-of-living adjustment
In general
Rounding
If any increase under paragraph (1) is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $50.
Reports
Pub. L. 108–173, title XII, § 1201(a)117 Stat. 2469 Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 404(c)119 Stat. 2634 Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title III120 Stat. 2949 Pub. L. 111–148, title IX124 Stat. 854 Pub. L. 114–41, title IV, § 4007(b)(1)129 Stat. 466 Pub. L. 115–97, title I131 Stat. 2060 Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(57)132 Stat. 1186 Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III134 Stat. 415 Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title I, § 102(c)(4)(A)134 Stat. 2796 Pub. L. 117–103, div. P, title II, § 307(a)136 Stat. 807 Pub. L. 117–169, title I, § 11408(a)136 Stat. 1905 Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, § 4151(a)136 Stat. 5931 Pub. L. 119–21, title VII139 Stat. 325 (Added , , ; amended , , ; , §§ 302(b), 303(a), (b), 304, 305(a), 307(b), , , 2950, 2953; , §§ 9003(a), 9004(a), , ; , , ; , §§ 11002(d)(1)(V), 11051(b)(3)(E), , , 2090; , (58), , , 1187; , §§ 3701(a), (b), 3702(a), , , 416; , , ; , (b), , ; , , ; , (b), , ; , §§ 71306(a), (b), 71307(a), 71308(a)–(c), , , 326.)
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
section 1 of this titleFor inflation adjustment of certain items in this section, see Revenue Procedures listed in a table below and under .
Editorial Notes
References in Text
act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531 49 Stat. 620 lsection 1305 of Title 42The Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(7), (c)(1)(E)(ii)(I), (2)(C), (d)(2)(C)(iv), and (f)(4)(C), is , . Title XVIII of the Act is classified generally to subchapter XVIII (§ 1395 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Sections 1811, 1833, 1861, and 1882 of the Act are classified to sections 1395c, 1395, 1395x, and 1395ss, respectively, of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.
Sections 2799A–1 and 2799A–2 of the Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(D), (2)(F), are classified to sections 300gg–111 and 300gg–112, respectively, of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
Sections 716 and 717 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(D), (2)(F), are classified to sections 1185e and 1185f, respectively, of Title 29, Labor.
section 7002(e)(4) of Pub. L. 111–148section 262 of Title 42Section 7002(e)(4) of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(G)(ii)(II), is , which is set out in a note under , The Public Health and Welfare.
Pub. L. 111–148124 Stat. 119 section 18001 of Title 42The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(H), is , , . Sections 1302, 1311, and 1321 of the Act are classified to sections 18022, 18031, and 18041, respectively, of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Prior Provisions
section 226 of this titleA prior section 223 was renumbered .
Amendments
Pub. L. 119–21, § 71306(b)2025—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii). , struck out “(in the case of months or plan years to which paragraph (2)(E) applies)” after “long-term care, or”.
Pub. L. 119–21, § 71308(a)Subsec. (c)(1)(E). , added subpar. (E).
Pub. L. 119–21, § 71306(a)Subsec. (c)(2)(E). , amended subpar. (E) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In the case of—
“(i) months beginning after , and before , and
“(ii) plan years beginning on or before , or after , and before ,
a plan shall not fail to be treated as a high deductible health plan by reason of failing to have a deductible for telehealth and other remote care services.”
Pub. L. 119–21, § 71307(a)Subsec. (c)(2)(H). , added subpar. (H).
Pub. L. 119–21, § 71308(b)Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(v). , added cl. (v).
Pub. L. 119–21, § 71308(c)(1)Subsec. (g)(1). , (3), substituted “in subsections (b)(2), (c)(2)(A), and in the case of taxable years beginning after 2026, (c)(1)(E)(ii)(II)” for “in subsections (b)(2) and (c)(2)(A)”, in introductory provisions, and inserted “, (c)(1)(E)(ii)(II),” after “(b)(2)”, in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 119–21, § 71308(c)(2)Subsec. (g)(1)(B). , substituted “clauses (ii) and (iii)” for “clause (ii)”, in cl. (i), and added cl. (iii).
Pub. L. 117–328, § 4151(b)2022—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii). , which directed the substitution of “(in the case of months or plan years to which paragraph (2)(E) applies)” for “(in the case of plan years beginning on or before , or in the case of months beginning after , and before )”, was executed by making the substitution for “(in the case of plan years beginning on or before , or in the case of months beginning after , and before ,)”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 307(b), inserted “, or in the case of months beginning after , and before ,” after “”.
Pub. L. 117–328, § 4151(a)Subsec. (c)(2)(E). , substituted “In the case of—” and cls. (i) and (ii) for “In the case of plan years beginning on or before , or in the case of months beginning after , and before ,”.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 307(a), inserted “or in the case of months beginning after , and before ,” after “,”.
Pub. L. 117–169Subsec. (c)(2)(G). added subpar. (G).
Pub. L. 116–136, § 3701(b)2020—Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(ii). , substituted “long-term care, or (in the case of plan years beginning on or before ) telehealth and other remote care” for “or long-term care”.
Pub. L. 116–260, § 102(c)(4)(A)(i)Subsec. (c)(1)(D). , added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 116–136, § 3701(a)Subsec. (c)(2)(E). , added subpar. (E).
Pub. L. 116–260, § 102(c)(4)(A)(ii)Subsec. (c)(2)(F). , added subpar. (F).
Pub. L. 116–136, § 3702(a)(1)Subsec. (d)(2)(A). , substituted “For purposes of this subparagraph, amounts paid for menstrual care products shall be treated as paid for medical care.” for “Such term shall include an amount paid for medicine or a drug only if such medicine or drug is a prescribed drug (determined without regard to whether such drug is available without a prescription) or is insulin.”
Pub. L. 116–136, § 3702(a)(2)Subsec. (d)(2)(D). , added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(57)2018—Subsec. (c)(2)(C). , substituted “section 1861” for “section 1871”.
Pub. L. 115–141, § 401(a)(58)Subsec. (d)(2)(A). , substituted “section 213(d))” for “section 213(d)”.
Pub. L. 115–97, § 11051(b)(3)(E)2017—Subsec. (f)(7). , substituted “clause (i) of section 121(d)(3)(C)” for “subparagraph (A) of section 71(b)(2)”.
Pub. L. 115–97, § 11002(d)(1)(V)Subsec. (g)(1)(B). , substituted “for ‘calendar year 2016’ in subparagraph (A)(ii)” for “for ‘calendar year 1992’ in subparagraph (B)” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 114–412015—Subsec. (c)(1)(C). added subpar. (C).
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9003(a)2010—Subsec. (d)(2)(A). , inserted at end “Such term shall include an amount paid for medicine or a drug only if such medicine or drug is a prescribed drug (determined without regard to whether such drug is available without a prescription) or is insulin.”
Pub. L. 111–148, § 9004(a)Subsec. (f)(4)(A). , substituted “20 percent” for “10 percent”.
Pub. L. 109–432, § 303(a)(1)2006—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). , substituted “$2,250.” for “the lesser of—
“(i) the annual deductible under such coverage, or
“(ii) $2,250, or”.
Pub. L. 109–432, § 303(a)(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(B). , substituted “$4,500.” for “the lesser of—
“(i) the annual deductible under such coverage, or
“(ii) $4,500.”
Pub. L. 109–432, § 307(b)Subsec. (b)(4)(C). , added subpar. (C).
Pub. L. 109–432, § 305(a)Subsec. (b)(8). , added par. (8).
Pub. L. 109–432, § 302(b)Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(iii). , added cl. (iii).
Pub. L. 109–432, § 303(b)Subsec. (d)(1)(A)(ii)(I). , substituted “subsection (b)(2)(B)” for “subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii)”.
Pub. L. 109–432, § 304Subsec. (g)(1). , inserted concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 109–1352005—Subsec. (d)(2)(A). inserted “, determined without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) thereof” after “section 152”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2025 Amendment
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 71306(c)139 Stat. 325
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 71307(b)139 Stat. 325
Pub. L. 119–21, title VII, § 71308(d)139 Stat. 326
Effective Date of 2022 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, § 4151(c)136 Stat. 5931
Pub. L. 117–169, title I, § 11408(b)136 Stat. 1905
Pub. L. 117–103, div. P, title II, § 307(c)136 Stat. 807
Effective Date of 2020 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–260, div. BB, title I, § 102(c)(4)(B)134 Stat. 2796
Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3701(c)134 Stat. 415
section 3702(a) of Pub. L. 116–136section 3702(d)(1) of Pub. L. 116–136section 220 of this titleAmendment by applicable to amounts paid after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2017 Amendment
section 11002(d)(1)(V) of Pub. L. 115–97section 11002(e) of Pub. L. 115–97section 1 of this titleAmendment by applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
section 11051(b)(3)(E) of Pub. L. 115–97section 71(b)(2) of this titlesection 11051 of Pub. L. 115–97section 11051(c) of Pub. L. 115–97section 61 of this titleAmendment by applicable to any divorce or separation instrument (as defined in former as in effect before ) executed after , and to such instruments executed on or before , and modified after , if the modification expressly provides that the amendment made by applies to such modification, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2015 Amendment
Pub. L. 114–41, title IV, § 4007(b)(2)129 Stat. 466
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
section 9003(a) of Pub. L. 111–148section 9003(d)(1) of Pub. L. 111–148section 220 of this titleAmendment by applicable to amounts paid with respect to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as a note under .
section 9004(a) of Pub. L. 111–148section 9004(c) of Pub. L. 111–148section 220 of this titleAmendment by applicable to distributions made after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title III, § 302(c)(2)120 Stat. 2949
Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title III, § 303(c)120 Stat. 2950
Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title III, § 305(b)120 Stat. 2951
Pub. L. 109–432, div. A, title III, § 307(c)120 Stat. 2953
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–135Pub. L. 108–311section 404(d) of Pub. L. 109–135section 21 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the provisions of the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date
section 1201(k) of Pub. L. 108–173section 62 of this titleSection applicable to taxable years beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date of 2003 Amendment note under .
Inflation Adjusted Items for Certain Years
Provisions relating to inflation adjustment of items in this section for certain years were contained in the following:
2023—Revenue Procedure 2022–24.
2022—Revenue Procedure 2021–25.
2021—Revenue Procedure 2020–32.
2020—Revenue Procedure 2019–25.
2019—Revenue Procedure 2018–30.
2018—Revenue Procedure 2017–37.
2017—Revenue Procedure 2016–28.
2016—Revenue Procedure 2015–30.
2015—Revenue Procedure 2014–30.
2014—Revenue Procedure 2013–25.
2013—Revenue Procedure 2012–26.
2012—Revenue Procedure 2011–32.
2011—Revenue Procedure 2010–22.
2010—Revenue Procedure 2009–29.
2009—Revenue Procedure 2008–29.
2008—Revenue Procedure 2007–36.