Company contributions are funded on a quarterly basis. If you are a newly eligible employee, your annual company contribution is pro-rated for the number of months you are eligible.

When you see the doctor, have lab tests, go to the hospital or get other health care treatment, you can choose whether to pay the cost out of your HSA or to pay the cost out of your own pocket. You still can take advantage of discounted network fees and the plan will still pay the majority of your expenses if you have a catastrophic event or illness.

There are hundreds of qualified medical expenses, including: dental visits; orthodontics; glasses; long-term care insurance premiums; cost of COBRA coverage; medical insurance premiums while receiving federal or state unemployment compensation; and post age-65 premiums for coverage other than Medigap or Medicare supplemental plans. In addition, HSA funds may be used to pay your Medicare Parts A and B premiums and for employer-sponsored retiree plans.

Eligible health care expenses include:

Amounts paid for over-the-counter drugs are no longer qualified medical expenses eligible for reimbursement from your HSA unless the over-the-counter drug was prescribed by a doctor. The prescription requirement only applies to over-the-counter drugs. It does not apply to expenses for over-the-counter items such as insulin and diabetic supplies, bandages, band aids or contact lens supplies. These items continue to be reimbursable from an HSA without a doctor's prescription.

Expenses generally can be for yourself, your spouse or your dependent children. Your spouse and tax-qualified dependents do not need to be covered by the same health plan.

It’s your responsibility to determine whether expenses qualify as a Qualified Medical Expense for tax-free reimbursement. You must maintain records to document funds used from your HSA in case of an IRS audit. To view a complete list of qualified medical expenses (including any changes to the information above), see IRS Publication 969.

Also, you can visit www.401k.com, our banking partner for the HSA bank account, and log in to learn more about HSAs.

After you turn age 65, you can use your account to pay for expenses that are not health-care related. If used for other expenses, the amount withdrawn will be taxable as income, but will not be subject to any penalties. (If you are under age 65, and use your account for expenses that are not health-care related, you must pay income tax and a 20% penalty on the amount withdrawn.)

An HSA works like an interest-bearing checking account. You’ll need to check your balance and keep records — specifically, receipts for any health care expenses paid out of the plan for IRS purposes and your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from BCBSTX. Unlike a Health Care FSA, you must have funds in your account before you can use them.

No, there is no limit on the amount of money your account can hold.

If you are under age 65, withdrawals for non-qualified expenses are subject to income tax and a 20% penalty on the amount withdrawn. After you reach age 65, the amount withdrawn is subject to income tax, but no penalty applies.

If you are new to the CDHP and elect to have payroll deductions, you will set up your account at Fidelity at www.401k.com by clicking on the HSA links. You will automatically receive an HSA debit card to use, but may also request checks or use the online bill pay feature.

If you currently have your HSA at Fidelity, it will stay open until you close the account.

Even if you enroll or your participation in the HSA begins after the start of the plan year, you still are able to contribute up to the HSA annual maximum contribution amount during the remainder of the year.

If you choose to contribute the full amount during a partial year, you must participate in the CDHP for the entire next calendar year to preserve the tax-free status of all of your contributions. If you do not participate in the CDHP for the entire next calendar-year period, any additional contributions you make above a prorated amount are deemed “excess contributions” and are subject to an excise tax.

If you are age 55 or older or you turn age 55 anytime during 2019, you may contribute up to an additional $1,000 to your HSA.

If you choose to contribute through payroll deduction, you must be enrolled in a Fidelity account. Your annual contribution is divided into a per-pay-period sum and automatically deposited to your account. You also have the option of making a tax-deductible lump-sum deposit at any time during the year. You may want to carefully consider this option if you are expecting significant health care costs early in the year. Remember that funds must be in your account to be used. Also, keep in mind that if you contribute on your own (not through payroll deductions), you’ll have to claim any tax advantage on your individual income tax return.

DallasNews Corporation will deposit any company contribution to your HSA in quarterly installments. For example, for employee-only coverage at an income level of less than $50,000, the amount deposited on the first pay date of each quarter is $162.50. For coverage at the same income level that includes dependents, the amount deposited is $325. Your account must be set up at Fidelity and be active to receive the company contribution.

Yes, you are not locked into the contribution amount you select during enrollment. If you want to make a change, you must notify DallasNews Corporation Benefits. 

Yes — DallasNews Corporation will cover monthly maintenance fees as long as you remain a participating employee in the CDHP. You are responsible for any other banking charges, such as additional debit cards or fees for non-sufficient funds.

The account earns interest similar to an interest-bearing checking account. Generally, your account earns interest at a fixed rate of return. You may also have an opportunity to move a portion of your account balance into another investment alternative once a bank-specified minimum balance is reached.

To make payroll deductions and get the company contribution for the CDHP, you must set up your HSA at Fidelity.

However, nothing prohibits you from setting up your own account at another financial institution. Because contributions you make to the other account will not be through payroll deduction, you must claim any tax advantage on your individual income tax return. In addition, DallasNews Corporation does not cover monthly maintenance fees at other institutions, and you won’t receive the company contribution.