New York Health Benefit Exchange Study: Health Savings Accounts

Among the policy decisions facing New York is whether and to what extent Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) should be offered through the Health Benefit Exchange.  HSAs are savings accounts established by individuals and employers and used to pay for qualified health care costs. 

This report describes requirements and design features of HSAs and High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs), and reviews current market trends for HSAs nationally, in New York State, and in currently established Exchanges.  Finally, it presents options and considerations for New York State that highlight some of the potential advantages and disadvantages of offering HSAs or HSAs and HDHPs through the Exchange.