Can I open a health savings account (HSA) with a bronze or catastrophic ACA plan?
Yes — starting January 1, 2026, bronze and catastrophic plans count as HSA-eligible high-deductible plans under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, even if they do not meet the usual IRS deductible and out-of-pocket rules. IRS Notice 2026-05 confirmed this applies whether you buy the plan through the Marketplace or directly from an insurer. Before this change, most bronze and catastrophic plans did not qualify, so their enrollees could not contribute to an HSA. The same law made it permanent that HSA plans can cover telehealth before the deductible, and lets people in certain direct primary care arrangements contribute too. For 2027 shoppers, this makes a bronze plan plus an HSA a stronger option: contributions are tax-deductible, growth and qualified withdrawals are tax-free, and the deduction lowers your modified adjusted gross income — which can help keep you under the 400% of poverty line for an ACA subsidy. For help choosing or enrolling in a plan, call United Enrollment Services, a licensed insurance agency, at 1-866-401-4116.
More on this topic: subsidies and costs
What it means
- You still must meet the other HSA rules — for example, no other disqualifying coverage and not enrolled in Medicare.
- HSA money rolls over year to year and stays with you if you change plans.
- Lower MAGI from HSA contributions can increase your premium tax credit or keep you under the subsidy cliff.
- Catastrophic plans are generally limited to people under 30 or with a hardship exemption, and they do not qualify for premium tax credits.
Action steps
- Compare bronze plans during open enrollment, November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
- Open an HSA with a bank or brokerage once your bronze or catastrophic coverage starts.
- Check the IRS annual HSA contribution limit for 2027.
- Keep receipts for qualified medical expenses.
- Ask a licensed agent whether bronze plus an HSA beats a silver plan with cost-sharing reductions for your income.
Risks & deadlines
- If your income qualifies you for cost-sharing reductions (generally up to 250% of poverty), those only apply to silver plans — a bronze plan gives them up.
- Contributions are allowed only for months you have qualifying coverage.
- Non-qualified withdrawals are taxed and may carry a penalty.
Also asked as
- Are bronze plans HSA eligible now?
- Can I have an HSA with an Obamacare plan?
- Big Beautiful Bill HSA bronze plan
- Do catastrophic plans qualify for an HSA in 2027?
Sources
- IRS — Treasury and IRS guidance on HSA changes under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (Notice 2026-05)
- RSM — IRS Notice 2026-5: Expanded HDHP definition broadens HSA access
- Congress.gov — H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act (text)
- HealthCare.gov
Last verified: 2026-10-27