Using a Healthcare Spending Account (HCSA) to Enhance your Benefits Plan

Health care spending accounts (HCSA) have been around for many years. However, there are still many entrepreneurs out there who mistakenly think traditional employee group benefits plans are their only option to offer their teams.

What is an HCSA?

An HCSA is, in essence, an individual plan member's account that provides reimbursement for covered expenses such as:

• Eligible expenses not covered under a current benefit plan;
• Eligible expenses in excess of current plan maximums;
• Co-insurance and deductibles charged by current benefit plans; and
• Expenses for dependents not eligible under other benefit plans, but eligible under the broader Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) definition of dependent health and non-health related expenses.

A health spending account provides an attractive option to meet the needs of a diverse group of staff. It allows your team the flexibility to use their benefits dollars as they want and maximize their benefits.

For example, staff who are covered under another benefits plan through their spouse can use it for additional coverage for things like massage therapy. For those who may not have other coverage, they can use it for more routine things like dental and vision care.

The best option is always the one that works best for your business. Learn more about what group benefits options are available to your small business, how to figure out your employee needs and what offering group benefits can do for you.