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Health Savings Account (HSA)

A Health Savings Account (HSA), similar to a checking account, allows you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to help pay for eligible medical, dental, vision, and prescription expenses. Unlike the flexible spending account, a HSA allows you to “roll-over” unused dollars into the next year.  There is no “use it or lose it” provision.

Health Savings Account (HSA) Index

Eligibility

Macalester employees with a .50 FTE or higher are eligible to enroll in the HSA, with some additional requirements:

  • Employees must be enrolled in the Macalester High Deductible Health Plan;
  • Employees must not be enrolled in Medicare;
  • Employees must not be covered by other health insurance
  • Employees must not have received Veterans Affairs medical benefits at any time in the past three (3) months;
  • Employees’ spouses/domestic partners may not  be contributing to/participating in a general-purpose health FSA through their employers

HSA Contribution Levels and Annual Limits

2025 Matched Contribution Levels

.75 FTE and aboveLevel 1 MacLevel 1 EELevel 2 MacLevel 2 EELevel 3 MacLevel 3 EE
Employee Only$100.00$0.00$121.75$21.75$143.50$43.50
Employee + Child(ren)$200.00$0.00$243.50$43.50$287.00$87.00
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$200.00$0.00$243.50$43.50$287.00$87.00
Employee + Family$200.00$0.00$243.50$43.50$287.00$87.00
.50-.74 FTELevel 1 MacLevel 1 EELevel 2 MacLevel 2 EELevel 3 MacLevel 3 EE
Employee Only$80.00$0.00$90.88$10.88$101.75$21.75
Employee + Child(ren)$160.00$0.00$181.75$21.75$203.50$43.50
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$160.00$0.00$181.75$21.75$203.50$43.50
Employee + Family$160.00$0.00$181.75$21.75$203.50$43.50

2026 Employer Contributions

HDHP Coverage LevelFull-Time Mac Monthly ContributionPart-Time Mac Monthly Contribution
Employee Only$140.00$100.00
Employee + Child(ren)$280.00$200.00
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$280.00$200.00
Employee + Family$280.00$200.00

2025 HSA Annual Limits

HDHP CoverageContribution LimitContribution Limit  (if 55+)
Employee Only$4,300$5,300
Employee + Child(ren)$8,550$9,550
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$8,550$9,550
Employee + Family$8,550$9,550

2026 HSA Annual Limits

HDHP CoverageContribution LimitContribution Limit  (if 55+)
Employee Only$4,400$5,400
Employee + Child(ren)$8,750$9,750
Employee + Spouse/Domestic Partner$8,750$9,750
Employee + Family$8,750$9,750

Accessing My Account

When you go online to create your account, Optum may ask for you to provide additional documentation that proves your identity in accordance with the US Patriot Act.  Failure to provide this information can result in a closing of your Health Savings Account.   Often, you may need to provide a copy of your utility bill, a copy of your Social Security card, and a copy of your US passport to establish your identity.

Initial Account Setup

Go online to secure.optumfinancial.com and follow the prompts for Member Sign in and to create your new username and password.

Enter your First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, Zip Code, and Social Security Number (SSN) to begin the identity verification and account creation process. You will create a HealthSafe ID – which will help keep your account safe and secure by using two-factor authentication.

Adding a Dependent as a Cardholder

  • Sign in to your Optum Financial account.
  • Select “My Payment Card” from your dashboard.
  • Select “Add Cardholder” then order a debit card for anyone listed.

If your dependent(s) name is not listed in the drop down, select “Add New Dependent”.

My spouse also has an HSA

There is a special contribution limit for married individuals, which provides that if either spouse has family HDHP coverage, then both spouses are treated as having only that family coverage. This means that if both spouses are HSA eligible and either has family HDHP coverage, the spouses’ combined contribution limit is the annual maximum limit for individuals with family HDHP coverage.

Employee StatusSpouse has no health plan coverageSpouse has self-only non-HDHP coverageSpouse has self-only HDHP coverageSpouse has family non-HDHP coverageSpouse has family HDHP coverage
Married employee with self-only non-HDHP coverageNo HSA contributionsNo HSA contributionsSpouse may contribute up to the current annual employee-only limit. No contribution for employee.No HSA contributionsSpouse may contribute up to the current annual limit. No contribution for employee.
Married employee with self-only HDHP coverageEmployee may contribute up to the current annual  limit. No contributions for spouse.Employee may contribute up to the current annual limit. No contributions for spouse.Both employee and spouse are eligible for HSA contributions. Each may contribute up to the current annual limit to their respective HSA’s.No HSA contributions if the employee is covered under spouses coverage. If not covered, employee may contribute up to the current annual limit. No contributions for spouse.Both employee and spouse are eligible for HSA contributions and are treated as having only the family coverage. The maximum contribution limit allocated between them is the current annual limit.
Married employee with family non-HDHP coverageNo HSA contributionsNo HSA contributionsNo HSA contributions if spouse is covered under employees coverage. If not covered, spouse may contribution up to the current annual limit. No contributions for employee.No HSA contributionNo HSA contributions if spouse is covered under employees coverage. If not covered, spouse may contribute up to the current annual limit. No contributions for employee.
Married employee with family HDHP coverageEmployee may contribute up to the current annual limit. No contributions for spouse.Employee may contribute up to the current annual limit. No contributions for spouse.Both employee and spouse are eligible for HSA contributions and are treated as only having the family coverage. The maximum contribution allocated between them is the current annual limit.No HSA contributions if employee is covered under spouses coverage. If not covered, employee may contribute up to the current annual limit. No contributions for spouse.Both employee and spouse are eligible for HSA contributions and are treated as only having the family coverage. The maximum contribution allocated between them is the current annual limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When can I use my HSA dollars?

    The money in your account is yours as soon as it is deposited into your account.  You can change health care coverage or change jobs in the future and still keep the money in your account.
  • What can I use my HSA dollars on?

    You can use your HSA dollars on any any number of medical supplies, from prescriptions and eye glasses to chiropractors and hearing aids.  Review the Qualified Medical Expenses list for specific items.  You can also use your HSA dollars to pay for qualified expenses for your dependent family members even if they are not on your health insurance.
  • What happens if I use my HSA dollars on a non-qualified expense?

    The participant is responsible for documenting that all withdrawals have been used for qualified medical expenses and they will be liable for state and federal taxes if the expenses were not qualified medical expenses. You can submit an Account Refund Form to Optum’s Claims Department to refund your health savings account for amounts used for ineligible items.
  • Can I make changes to my HSA contributions?

    You can change your HSA contribution at any time by logging into the Benefits Portal.
  • What if my Optum HSA card is going to expire?

    A new card(s) will be mailed to the home address on file during the first 2 weeks of the month that the old card expires. New cards will have an expiration date that is 4 years in the future.
  • What happens if I contribute to an HSA in error?

    Optum’s HSA excess contribution removal form (see under Resources section) can be used to request this correction.  This form is also available to members under “Tools and Resources” when they are logged in online. The form includes detailed instructions/information, but Optum does advise that members consult with a qualified tax adviser for any assistance needed outside of what’s included on the form. There’s a link to the form as well in the next section.