Your QHDHP Lost its “Q”
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has been selling both BluePreferred and BlueChoice HSA plans at a $1200 deductible level for years. In fact, we have many clients that have these plans. But, if you still have that plan, you no longer can (legally) contribute to an HSA.
And, just so we have our facts straight, everyone refers to their health plan as an “HSA,” but in reality, the savings account is the HSA — thus, Health Savings Account. The health plan itself is called a QHDHP which stands for “Qualified High Deductible Health Plan.”
So, if you have a QHDHP as your ONLY health insurance, then you are eligible to contribute to an HSA. If it is not qualified, then you can be taxed and penalized if you contribute to an HSA when you are not eligible to do so. Now that we have the back story down, the IRS sets limits for what a deductible must be as a minimum, which the $1200 deductible used to satisfy. In 2013, that now has to be at least $1250 for an individual and $2500 for a family. It should also be pointed out here that if you have a deductible on your health plan that meets this criteria, that DOES NOT mean you can contribute to an HSA. It must be classified as a QHDHP which many high deductible plans are not.
The fix is simple. If you no longer want to contribute to an HSA, then you do not need to make a change and your health plan will work as is. If you do want to make contributions, then CareFirst now offers a $1400 ($2800 for two more) that you can easily convert your existing plan to and get your “qualified” back.
Just follow this link http://www.insurancepickle.com/health-insurance/myhsa2013.shtml and all of the forms you need will be right there, along with additional important information. Also, it does not matter if you made the error of not doing business with us when you originally bought your plan, that is easily fixed with the forms we have provided. If yours is a group plan, then just contact our office and we will help you out.