Anthem Bronze plan and HSA issues

[505050]

First time poster and long time lurker. I wanted to bring up an issue I’m facing with Anthem Bronze plans and HSA. As most of us have learned, in 2026 all ACA Bronze plans are HSA eligible. After signing up for my Anthem Bronze plan for 2026 (Georgia) I expected to receive the normal welcome email along with information on the associated HSA.

Upon receiving my welcome email I noticed no mention of HSA. I called Anthem and was told my plan wasn’t eligible for a HSA. I explained in 2026 all Bronze plans were HSA eligible (as part of OBBBA). The issue was escalated and I was again told it wasn’t eligible. This has been going on for a couple weeks without any success with further escalation. I did some web searches and other Anthem customers are having the same issue in other states.

Today I coordinated a three way call with Anthem and Georgia Access (our state exchange). Luckily Georgia Access backed me up and told the Anthem rep the same thing. The issue isn’t solved yet but I’m feeling more confident. It appears Anthem have not updated many “normal” Bronze plan documents with HSA eligibility yet If you’re on a Bronze plan it might make sense to verify the HSA has been included - especially if it’s with Anthem.

 

[audreyh1]

There is no HSA account specifically linked to an ACA insurance plan. You open your own HSA account or use an HSA account you already own.

So there is no HSA account for Anthem to include or provide. You open one yourself if you don’t already have one.

 

[Flieger]

There is no HSA account specifically linked to an ACA insurance plan. You open your own HSA account or use an HSA account you already own.

So there is no HSA account for Anthem to include or provide. You open one yourself if you don’t already have one.

Exactly. If you already have one, you can contribute additional funds to that existing HSA.

Flieger

 

[imjustawarrior]

Fidelity is normally the best option for setting up your own HSA.

 

[505050]

Thank you for the replies.This is my first HSA and read that I had to sign/attest the plan was HSA eligible when starting the HSA. When I couldn’t find proof and then Anthem telling me it wasn’t, I wasn't confident to start one without some level of confirmation. I feel better about it now and full speed ahead. Thanks again!

 

[PaunchyPirate]

Insurance companies CAN align themselves with an HSA provider, but they do not have to do that. Even when they offer HSA-eligible health plans. My insurance company, Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield in western PA does indeed offer an HSA linked to their plans. It is serviced by another company, but I can access that account from inside my insurance portal. However, I chose to ignore it and I keep my HSA at Fidelity like many on this forum.

Unfortunately for me, three years ago when I first signed up for my first HSA-eligible plan with Highmark, I clicked on a link that I thought was going to take me to a screen where I could see more info about their offered HSA. Instead, clicking that link appeared to activate that HSA fully. So now I get annual emails from the HSA service provider telling me various things. But I never funded any money into their HSA. It's empty. But the account seems to still be open. Little things like that bother me. Someday when I'm done with Highmark, and move on to Medicare, I'll probably try to see if I can close that empty account so they'll stop sending me emails.

 

[audreyh1]

Insurance companies CAN align themselves with an HSA provider, but they do not have to do that. Even when they offer HSA-eligible health plans. My insurance company, Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield in western PA does indeed offer an HSA linked to their plans. It is serviced by another company, but I can access that account from inside my insurance portal. However, I chose to ignore it and I keep my HSA at Fidelity like many on this forum.

Unfortunately for me, three years ago when I first signed up for my first HSA-eligible plan with Highmark, I clicked on a link that I thought was going to take me to a screen where I could see more info about their offered HSA. Instead, clicking that link appeared to activate that HSA fully. So now I get annual emails from the HSA service provider telling me various things. But I never funded any money into their HSA. It's empty. But the account seems to still be open. Little things like that bother me. Someday when I'm done with Highmark, and move on to Medicare, I'll probably try to see if I can close that empty account so they'll stop sending me emails.

Well that is super annoying!

 

[Koolau]

505050 I hope you get this all figured out soon.

When you get a couple of minutes, please consider introducing yourself here: Hi, I am...

We'd love to get to know you better.

 

[hotwired]

I tend to be braver than I should be in these instances. I wouldn't think twice about simply going to Fidelity and opening an HSA and clicking whatever box I needed to click to attest that I was eligible. The new law is completely unambiguous. All bronze level plans are HSA eligible. When you go to choose a plan, that won't necessarily be in your face. Because the infrastructure technology-wise hasn't caught up with the new wall. There are many plans out there that are specifically designed to be HSA eligible so those will be front and center. Just go to Fidelity open that sucker and fully fund it.

 

[Dean56]

There is no HSA account specifically linked to an ACA insurance plan. You open your own HSA account or use an HSA account you already own.

So there is no HSA account for Anthem to include or provide. You open one yourself if you don’t already have one.

This is what I did. I live in Georgia and I have a Anthem/Georgia Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze insurance policy.
I opened my HSA with Fidelity after I retired 3 years ago.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I tend to be braver than I should be in these instances. I wouldn't think twice about simply going to Fidelity and opening an HSA and clicking whatever box I needed to click to attest that I was eligible. The new law is completely unambiguous. All bronze level plans are HSA eligible. When you go to choose a plan, that won't necessarily be in your face. Because the infrastructure technology-wise hasn't caught up with the new wall. There are many plans out there that are specifically designed to be HSA eligible so those will be front and center. Just go to Fidelity open that sucker and fully fund it.

Only ACA Bronze plans are HSA eligible, but not off exchange Bronze plans are not.

 

[audreyh1]

Only ACA Bronze plans are HSA eligible, but not off exchange Bronze plans are not.

Unless they say they are HSA eligible bought directly from the company? With BCBS there were never any ACA plan differences whether bought through the federal exchange or bought directly from the company bypassing the federal exchange. We’re on Medicare now, but before we bought bronze plans that were HSA eligible directly from BCBSTX.

From what I’m reading, starting this year all bronze ACA plans are HSA eligible whether bought directly (off exchange) or on an exchange.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Unless they say they are HSA eligible bought directly from the company? With BCBS there were never any ACA plan differences whether bought through the federal exchange or bought directly from the company bypassing the federal exchange. We’re on Medicare now, but before we bought bronze plans that were HSA eligible directly from BCBSTX.

From what I’m reading, starting this year all bronze ACA plans are HSA eligible whether bought directly (off exchange) or on an exchange.

No. Off exchange Bronze plans, unless it is explicitly stated as HSA eligible, are not HSA eligible.

 

[audreyh1]

No. Off exchange Bronze plans, unless it is explicitly stated as HSA eligible, are not HSA eligible.

IRS Notice 2026-05 explicitly states that any bronze plan offered off-exchange is HSA eligible if they are the same as a plan offered through an exchange.

Q-6. Will a bronze plan or catastrophic plan purchased off-Exchange on the individual market be treated as an HDHP if the same plan is available as individual coverage through an Exchange?

8A-6. Yes. A bronze plan or catastrophic plan purchased off-Exchange on the individual market will be treated as an HDHP if the same plan is available as individual coverage through an Exchange. This includes plans sold exclusively off-Exchange
without a cost-sharing reduction load that are otherwise identical to plans sold on-Exchange with a cost sharing reduction load.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-26-05.pdf

 

[RetiredHappy]

IRS Notice 2026-05 explicitly states that any bronze plan offered off-exchange is HSA eligible if they are the same as a plan offered through an exchange.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-26-05.pdf

The problem is that many off exchange plans are sold by insurers that are not offered on the exchange. My insurer only sells off exchange.