What type of account is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is indeed classified as a tax-exempt account specifically designed for medical expenses. The primary function of an HSA is to allow individuals to save money for qualified medical expenses on a tax-free basis. Contributions made to an HSA are pre-tax, which means they are deducted from taxable income, thereby reducing the tax burden for the account holder. Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses, including deductibles, copayments, and some other healthcare costs, are also tax-exempt. This structure incentivizes individuals to save for their healthcare needs while enjoying tax benefits.

The nature of the HSA as a medical expense account distinguishes it from retirement accounts, which are primarily designed for saving for retirement and may have different tax implications upon distribution. While HSAs can be invested and grow tax-free, they are fundamentally not retirement accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s. Additionally, while an HSA can be employer-sponsored, this is not a defining characteristic of the account itself; individuals can also open HSAs independently without employer involvement. Lastly, calling an HSA a tax-deferred account is misleading, as it primarily offers tax-exempt treatment for qualified distributions, rather than deferring taxes until withdrawal.