HSA contribution planner
Work out how much to put in your HSA each month. Enter your family's expected costs and your insurance, and the planner takes out what insurance should pay. You will see your yearly maximum, the amount per month and per paycheck, and about how much you save in taxes. This planner does not decide whether you are eligible.
Educational estimate only. It does not decide your eligibility or give tax advice.
Limits used
- 2026: Self-only $4,400 · Family $8,750 · 55+ +$1,000
- 2027: Self-only $4,500 · Family $9,000 · 55+ +$1,000
Sources retrieved: November 5, 2026
Whose costs can you include?
Your HSA can pay qualified costs for you, your spouse, and the dependents you claim on your tax return, even if they are not on your high-deductible plan. An adult child you cannot claim as a dependent does not count, even if they are on your plan. The limit depends on self-only or family coverage, not on how many people you cover.
Costs these accounts can pay that insurance often does not
These are allowed under IRS rules when they are for medical care. Your plan may list fewer, and some need a note from your clinician. Keep every receipt.
- Everyday pharmacy itemsOver-the-counter medicines and period products, with no prescription needed. Also pregnancy tests and condoms.
- Glasses, contacts, and eye surgeryPrescription glasses, contact lenses, contact lens solution, and laser eye surgery.
- Hearing aidsThe hearing aid, plus batteries, repairs, and upkeep.
- Dental workCleanings, fillings, braces, and dentures. Teeth whitening does not count.
- Acupuncture and chiropractic careBoth are listed as medical expenses by the IRS.
- Therapy and counselingVisits with a psychologist or therapist for medical care.
- Breast pumps and suppliesPumps and supplies that help with breastfeeding.
- Fertility treatmentFor example, IVF, including temporary storage of eggs or sperm.
- Birth control and sterilizationPrescribed birth control pills, vasectomy, and other legal sterilization.
- Programs to stop smokingFees for a stop-smoking program.
- Weight-loss programs for a diagnosed conditionAllowed when a doctor diagnoses a disease such as obesity, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Gym dues do not count.
- Travel to get careBus, taxi, train, or plane fares, plus gas, parking, and tolls. Lodging near the care can count up to $50 a night per person; a parent traveling with a sick child can count up to $100. Meals do not count.
- Home changes for a medical needFor example, ramps, wider doorways, or grab bars. If the change raises your home's value, only the cost above that increase counts.
- Service animalsBuying and training a guide dog or other service animal, and its food, grooming, and vet care.
- Special tutoring or schoolingOn a doctor's advice, a specially trained tutor or school for a child's learning disability.
- Lead paint removalRemoving peeling lead paint to protect a child who has or had lead poisoning.
- A wig after hair loss from illnessWhen a doctor advises it for the mental health of someone who lost their hair from disease.
- Medical conferencesAdmission and travel to a conference about a chronic illness in your family. Meals and lodging do not count.
- Nursing and home careHelp with medical care at home, such as giving medication or changing dressings, even if the helper is not a nurse.
- Vitamins and supplements, sometimesOnly when a clinician recommends them to treat a diagnosed condition. For general health, they do not count.
Usually not allowed
- Gym or health club dues for general fitness
- Vitamins taken for general health
- Cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening
- Diapers, unless needed because of a disease
An HSA usually cannot pay insurance premiums. Exceptions include COBRA coverage, health coverage while you get unemployment benefits, long-term care insurance (up to a yearly amount), and, from age 65, Medicare premiums other than Medigap.
How this is calculated
Insurance share: for bills insurance helps pay, you pay the deductible first, then your coinsurance percent of the rest, up to the out-of-pocket maximum. Copays and costs insurance does not pay are added in full. Yearly limit = (coverage limit × eligible months ÷ 12) + (catch-up × eligible months ÷ 12, if 55+). Most you can put in = limit − employer money. Suggested amount = your share − employer money, up to that. Per month = amount ÷ eligible months. Per paycheck = amount ÷ paychecks in those months. Tax saved = amount × (federal bracket + state rate, + 7.65% if through payroll).
Worked example (2026, self-only, 12 months, under 55): the limit is $4,400 and your employer adds $500, so you can put in up to $3,900. $2,500 in bills with a $1,700 deductible and 20% coinsurance: your share is $1,700 + 20% of $800 = $1,860. Add $300 in copays: $2,160. Minus the $500 from your employer: $1,660. That is $138.33 a month, or $63.85 a paycheck if paid every two weeks. Through payroll in the 22% bracket with no state tax, you save about $492.19, or about 30¢ of every $1.
Assumptions
- You are eligible for each month you enter.
- Your deductible and coinsurance apply to all the bills insurance helps pay. Copays are added on top and are not counted toward the out-of-pocket maximum, so the estimate may run a little high.
- Employer money includes amounts through payroll (cafeteria plan).
- Months are prorated evenly, and contributions are spread over your eligible months.
- Your bracket stays the same for the whole amount.
Not included
- The last-month rule and its testing period
- Splitting a family limit between spouses
- Medicare enrollment, including backdated Medicare
- Investment growth inside the account
- Taxes and penalties if HSA money is used for non-medical costs
When to get personal help
If you are enrolling in Medicare, changing coverage mid-year, or sharing a family limit with a spouse, ask a tax professional or your HSA provider.
Related
Where can I go for help?
Free help is often close by: the member services number on your insurance card, the billing office for your provider, your state insurance department, and nonprofit patient advocates.
Who can help, and what each one does
Prefer personal support? An independent patient advocate may help. Learn about Navigator & request beta access (Navigator is in development.)
This is general education. For decisions about your own plan, taxes, or legal rights, check your plan documents or a qualified professional.
Sources
- Rev. Proc. 2025-19 (2026 HSA, HDHP and excepted-benefit HRA amounts)
- Rev. Proc. 2026-24 (2027 HSA, HDHP, excepted-benefit HRA and DPCSA amounts)
- Publication 969 (2025), Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans
- Publication 502 (2025), Medical and Dental Expenses
- California treatment of health savings accounts