You can open and fund a health savings account (HSA) if you are:

• Covered by an HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan
• Not covered by any other non-HSA-eligible health plan (Dental, vision, disability and some other types of additional coverage are permissible)
• Not enrolled in Medicare, TRICARE or TRICARE for Life
• Have not received VA benefits within the past three months
• Not eligible to be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
• Not an account holder of a health care flexible spending account (FSA)

About high-deductible health plans
Preventive care, such as annual physicals and screenings like mammograms, is covered by many high-deducible health plans. Plan participants do, however, pay other health care costs, such as prescriptions, out-of-pocket until they reach their annual deductible.

After you’ve reached the deductible, the plan begins to cover a portion of your health care costs, similar to traditional insurance. There is also an out-of-pocket maximum –- when you reach the maximum, the plan covers all medical costs. And monthly premiums for high-deductible plans are typically lower than for traditional health plans.

The 2009 guidelines for high-deductible plans are:

The 2010 guidelines for high-deductible plans are:

How to open an HSA
If you have or choose a high-deductible health plan, make a health-wise investment by adding an HSA. Your employer may offer an HSA as part of your health and wellness benefits. Or, you can open one on your own if you meet the criteria.

> Visit OptumHealthBank to enroll in an HSA.