Healthcare Spending Accounts are growing in popularity as a way for Canadian employers to provide flexible health benefits to employees. Healthcare Spending Accounts allow employees to be reimbursed from a pre-determined amount for eligible medical expenses not covered under other health plans.
But what exactly are Health Spending Accounts, how do they work, and what are the key benefits? This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of everything you need about Health Spending Accounts in Canada.
What are Health Spending Accounts?
A Health Spending Account (HCSA) is an employer-sponsored plan that provides employees with tax-free funds to pay for eligible medical expenses not covered under other health benefit plans.
Healthcare Spending Accounts work similarly to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) in the United States. However, unlike FSAs, unused HCSA funds can be rolled over in subsequent years. This makes them more flexible and appealing to employees.
With an HCSA, the employer allocates a set dollar amount each year to an account for each participating employee. Employees can use these funds to reimburse themselves for eligible out-of-pocket health expenses.
Employees who incur eligible expenses submit claims and receipts to draw down their HCSA balance. The employer or an administrator then reimburses the employee from HCSA funds.
Any unused HCSA funds at the end of the year may be eligible to roll over to the following year, depending on the plan. This allows employees to save HCSA funds for anticipated more considerable expenses in the future.
How Do Healthcare Spending Accounts Work in Canada?
The employer sponsors the HCSA plan and determines the terms, contribution amounts, and expenses that are eligible for reimbursement.
At the beginning of each year, the employer allocates a pre-determined amount to an HCSA for each participating employee. This is often a flat dollar amount for all employees or tiered by employee group.
Employees can submit claims to draw down their HCSA balance and be reimbursed for eligible expenses throughout the year. Expenses reimbursed through an HCSA are not taxable for the employee.
HCSA funds can be used to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses such as:
- Deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance under health and dental plans
- Services not covered or partially covered under health and dental plans
- Vision care expenses like eye exams, glasses, and contacts
- Prescription drugs
- Paramedical services like massage therapy, chiropractic, and physiotherapy
Any unused HCSA funds at the end of the year may roll over to subsequent years, up to a maximum, if the plan allows it.
After reimbursement, employees must provide supporting documentation such as detailed receipts and explanations of benefits. Expenses must qualify as eligible medical expenses under the Income Tax Act.
The employer or a third-party administrator manages the Healthcare Spending Accounts on the employer’s behalf. They reimburse claims, provide record-keeping, and issue tax information slips if required.
Tax Considerations for Healthcare Spending Accounts in Canada
One of the most significant advantages of Healthcare Spending Accounts is that they provide tax-free benefits to employees in most provinces. The employer’s contributions and claims reimbursed from the HCSA are not taxable income for the employee.
Here are some key tax considerations:
- Employer HCSA contributions are a tax-deductible business expense.
- HCSA contributions and benefits are tax-free for employees in all provinces except Quebec. In Quebec, HCSA contributions are a taxable benefit.
- Investment income earned on HCSA funds is tax-free.
- Employees cannot make personal contributions to an employer-sponsored HCSA.
- The amount is taxable income if HCSA funds are used for ineligible expenses.
- Forfeited HCSA amounts returned to the employer are a taxable benefit if they were not previously taxed.
Healthcare Spending Accounts must follow Canada Revenue Agency guidelines for private health services plans to maintain preferential tax status. The plan needs an element of insurance risk, and funds can only be used for eligible medical expenses.
Who Offers Healthcare Spending Accounts?
There are two main avenues to access an HCSA in Canada:
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare Spending Accounts
Most healthcare spending accounts in Canada are offered to their workforce through employers as part of their overall benefits package.
Healthcare Spending Accounts are typically offered in conjunction with traditional group health plans. This gives employees expanded coverage for medical expenses not fully covered under regular benefits.
Employers can offer Healthcare Spending Accounts independently or alongside other account-based plans like health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). Employers may also offer Healthcare Spending Accounts under a flexible benefits program.
Individual Healthcare Spending Accounts
Some insurance companies offer individual or family Healthcare Spending Accounts that individuals can purchase independently. These operate like insurance plans with monthly premiums.
Individual Healthcare Spending Accounts can provide an option for self-employed Canadians or those without employer-sponsored benefits. However, individual plans lack some of the main advantages of group Healthcare Spending Accounts, like tax-free contributions from an employer.
What Expenses are Eligible with Healthcare Spending Accounts?
One of the most attractive features of Healthcare Spending Accounts is that they allow reimbursement for a wide range of medical expenses. Eligible expenses are based on the medical expense tax credit under the Income Tax Act.
Employers can restrict HCSA coverage to certain expenses or reimburse any eligible medical expense. Common expenses include:
Medical Expenses
- Prescription drugs
- Vaccines
- Fertility treatments
- Medical equipment and supplies
- LASIK eye surgery
- Acupuncture
- Ambulance fees
Dental Expenses
- Cleanings, fillings, and other preventative services
- Root canals, crowns, dentures
- Orthodontics like braces and retainers
Vision Care
- Eye exams
- Prescription glasses and contacts
- Laser eye surgery
Other Eligible Expenses
- Physiotherapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic
- Hearing aids and batteries
- compression stockings
- Hospital expenses
- Travel costs for medical treatment
- Home care and nursing services
- Medical marijuana (with a prescription)
- Cosmetic procedures (if medically necessary)
Employees can use HCSA funds to cover unpaid balances after submitting a claim through their regular health and dental plans.
What are the Benefits of Health Spending Accounts?
Healthcare Spending Accounts offer advantages for both participating employees and sponsoring employers.
Benefits for Employees
From the employee perspective, here are some of the main benefits of using an HCSA:
- Tax-free way to pay for medical expenses – HCSA funds are not taxed when reimbursed in most provinces. This saves employees up to 40-50% compared to paying out-of-pocket with after-tax dollars.
- Pay for expenses health plans don’t cover – Healthcare Spending Accounts provide expanded coverage beyond regular health benefit plans. Employees can use HCSA funds for dental implants, prescription sunglasses, massage therapy, etc. if they are eligible for expenses.
- Rollover of unused funds – If the plan allows employees to roll over unused HCSA funds from year to year and save for anticipated expenses.
- Portable benefit – Employees who leave can take any remaining HCSA balance with them to use for eligible expenses.
- Save premium costs – Employers can offer Healthcare Spending Accounts paired with higher deductible health plans to make benefits more affordable to both parties.
- Member choice – Employees can choose how and when to use HCSA funds for optimal personal utility.
Benefits for Employers
For employers, Healthcare Spending Accounts offer these advantages as part of an overall benefits package:
- Added employee benefits in Canada – Healthcare Spending Accounts allow employers to enhance their benefits offering and stand out. This can aid with talent acquisition and retention.
- Tax deduction – HCSA contributions are tax-deductible for employers. There are no payroll taxes or deductions.
- Cost control – Employers have more control over HCSA costs since contributions are fixed. Healthcare Spending Accounts paired with high-deductible health plans also help manage costs.
- Administration outsourced – Third-party administration minimizes the HR burden of managing Healthcare Spending Accounts.
- Employee satisfaction – Healthcare Spending Accounts allow employees to customize health benefits to suit their needs, likely improving satisfaction.
- Fewer claims issues – Employees manage their own HCSA funds; reimbursement is guaranteed if expenses are eligible. This saves HR time resolving claims.
How Much Does an HCSA Cost?
The overall cost of an HCSA depends on the employer contribution strategy, plan administration fees, and employee utilization.
Employer Contributions
Employers can determine how much to contribute to each employee’s HCSA annually. Common HCSA contribution strategies include:
- Flat dollar amount – e.g. $500 per year per employee
- Percentage of deductible – e.g. 50% of the health plan deductible
- Based on coverage tier – e.g. $300 for singles, $600 for couples, $900 for families
- Percentage of salary – e.g. 0.5% of base salary
The average employer contribution to an HCSA is $850 per employee per year. Higher contributions allow employees to save more for health expenses.
Employee Contributions
Employees cannot contribute directly to an employer-sponsored HCSA with pre-tax money. Additional employee contributions must be made after-tax, eliminating the benefit.
Employers can structure a portion of HCSA funding from employees’ flex dollar credits or salary deductions if they want to implement employee cost-sharing.
Administrative Costs
On top of employer contributions, administering an HCSA plan comes with costs, including:
- Third-party administrative fees – Typically $2 to $6 per member per month
- Promotion and communication expenses
- Tax reporting requirements, if applicable
- Ongoing HCSA management and coordination
Considering contribution amounts and administrative overhead, employers can budget approximately $1,000 to $2,000 per employee annually for an HCSA program.
How to Use and Manage an HCSA?
If offered an HCSA by an employer, employees need to understand how to use the account properly to maximize the benefits.
Submitting Claims
Employees should follow these steps when submitting HCSA claims:
- Incur an eligible out-of-pocket medical expense.
- Submit the expense first to any other health plans to receive reimbursement.
- Determine the unpaid portion of the expense.
- Complete an HCSA claim form and provide supporting documentation such as detailed receipts and explanations of benefits from other plans.
- Submit the claim to the employer or HCSA administrator for reimbursement from HCSA funds.
- Receive reimbursement either by paper check or direct deposit.
Tracking HCSA Balance and Expenses
To effectively manage their HCSA funds, employees should track:
- The HCSA effective date, annual contribution from the employer, and account balance
- Claims submitted for reimbursement and payment received
- Eligible expenses incurred but still need to be reimbursed.
- Receipts and documentation for every claim
Some HCSA administrators provide online portals for employees to view their account balance and activity easily in real-time.
Investing HCSA Funds
Unlike Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), unused HCSA funds can accrue year-to-year if allowed by the employer’s plan. Some HCSA custodians allow participants to invest some of these accumulated funds for more significant growth potential.
Investment options rules around minimum balances, applicable fees, and risk vary by HCSA custodian. Employees can discuss participating in an investment HCSA with their employer.
Changing HCSA Coverage
For most group Healthcare Spending Accounts, employees can only adjust their coverage during open enrollment or if they experience a qualifying life event like marriage, divorce, or having a baby.
Employees should understand their company’s specific HCSA plan rules for enrollment changes and life events.
Healthcare Spending Accounts vs. Other Options: FSA, HRA, LSA, etc.
While Healthcare Spending Accounts offer significant advantages, employers can choose account-based benefit plans. Here’s how Healthcare Spending Accounts compare to some alternatives:
Healthcare Spending Accounts vs. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
FSAs allow reimbursement from pre-tax funds for eligible health expenses. However, they differ from Healthcare Spending Accounts in several key ways:
- FSA funds are forfeited if not used by year-end. HCSA funds can roll over from year to year.
- Employers can only contribute to Healthcare Spending Accounts. Employees can contribute pre-tax dollars to FSAs.
- FSA contributions have annual federal limits. There are no legal HCSA contribution limits.
- HCSA funds are portable after employment termination. FSA funds are forfeited.
- Only Healthcare Spending Accounts require funds to be used exclusively for eligible medical expenses.
For these reasons, Healthcare Spending Accounts tend to give employees more flexibility and control over funds than FSAs.
Healthcare Spending Accounts vs. Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)
Learn more: Health Reimbursement Arrangements in Canada
Like an HCSA, an HRA is funded solely through employer contributions and can roll over unused funds yearly. However, there are some differences:
- HRAs can only reimburse group health plan expenses. Healthcare Spending Accounts can reimburse a broader range of eligible expenses.
- HRA funds are forfeited upon termination of employment. HCSA funds are fully portable.
- Employers have more control over reimbursement rules with an HRA versus employee control of HCSA funds.
Healthcare Spending Accounts give employees more flexibility, while HRAs offer more employer control.
How Healthcare Spending Accounts Compare to LSAs
Learn more: Lifestyle Spending Accounts for Employees
Healthcare Spending Accounts and Lifestyle Spending Accounts allow tax-free reimbursement of certain expenses. The key differences are:
- HCSA funds can only be used for eligible medical expenses. LSA funds are for general wellness expenses.
- HCSA contributions and benefits are tax-free for the employee. LSA benefits are taxable income.
- Employers can only contribute to Healthcare Spending Accounts. Employees can contribute to LSAs.
- HCSA unused funds can roll over. LSA funds are “use it or lose it”.
- Healthcare Spending Accounts require supporting documentation. LSAs have fewer restrictions.
Pros and Cons of Different Account-Based Plans
Here is a comparison of the relative advantages and disadvantages of HSAs, FSAs, HRAs, and LSAs:
Plan Type | Pros | Con |
HSA | – Triple tax savings- Rollover of unused funds – Employee control and flexibility- Broad eligible medical expenses | – Employees could overspend account – Administrative costs- Lack of employer control |
FSA | – Employee tax savings- Employer tax savings – Employer control | – Use it or lose it funds – Limited flexibility for employees – Narrow eligibility |
HRA | – Employer control – Tax savings | – Limited rollover of unused funds- Forfeited after termination – Restrictive reimbursement rules |
LSA | – Tax savings for employees – Flexible wellness spending | – Benefits are taxable income – Use it or lose it funds- Employer administrative requirements |
Tips for Getting the Most from an HCSA
For employees offered an HCSA, here are some tips to maximize the value:
Use Healthcare Spending Accounts for Predictable Expenses
Healthcare Spending Accounts work best for predictable medical expenses rather than unpredictable ones. Optimal use cases include budgeting for planned:
- Dental work like implants or orthodontics
- New eyeglasses or contacts
- Ongoing prescription medications
- Physiotherapy visits
Understand Usage Requirements
While Healthcare Spending Accounts are flexible, they come with rules set by the Canada Revenue Agency. Employees should understand requirements like only using funds for eligible medical expenses and providing proper documentation. Misusing HCSA funds can result in paying taxes on the amount plus penalties.
Save Receipts
Employees should save all itemized receipts and documentation related to HCSA claims. Records should be kept for at least a year in case of a CRA audit. Some plans may require longer record retention.
Consider an HCSA/High-Deductible Plan Combination
Employers can pair a high-deductible health plan with generous HCSA contributions. This helps employees pay the higher deductible while the employer/employee enjoys premium savings from the high-deductible plan.
The Bottom Line
Health Spending Accounts provide a versatile way for Canadian employers to enhance their benefits offerings and empower employees to pay for medical expenses tax-free.
Healthcare Spending Accounts are growing as employers aim to attract and retain talent by providing innovative benefits and more excellent consumer choices. Employees appreciate gaining more control over their health spending while saving on taxes.
With expanded eligibility, rollover of unused funds, and high satisfaction, healthcare spending accounts are expected to continue gaining traction as a new breed of tax-advantaged benefit plans in Canada.
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Article Sources
This article is referenced from the following reputable sources:
Health Spending Account Frequently Asked Questions – pac.bluecross.ca
Health Spending Accounts For Canadians Explained – simplybenefits.ca