| Details |
HSA |
HRA |
|
Summary |
Buy Qualified High-Deductible Health Plan and Marry with Health Savings Account. Employee uses Plan and HSA to pay medical expenses. Unused funds remain in savings account. |
Buy Higher Deductible Plan, agree with Employees to reimburse them for difference in deductibles. Unused funds reduce benefit costs. |
|
Ownership |
Employee Owns Account. |
No Account Must Exist. If created, Employer Owns. |
|
Focus |
High Ded + Savings Account = Medical Coverage. |
High Ded = ER Savings - Reimbursements. |
|
Flexibility |
Must Buy Qualified High-deductible Health Plan (QHDHP). Limited flexibility. |
Can Match to Any Plan or be Stand Alone. Can customize to Employer situation. |
|
Biggest Advantage |
Employees may be more careful with health matters. Tax-Advantaged spending and saving. |
Maximum Savings and Flexibility. Can deliver the same benefits to the employee without buying the same plan. |