Health Savings & Spending Accounts

Stanford offers three types of accounts that let you set aside money for health care and/or dependent care expenses before taxes are calculated on your salary.

• With a health savings account (HSA), there is a limit to what you can contribute in a year, but not how much you can save over a lifetime; it will carry over every year but requires you to be enrolled in a high deductible health plan.
• With a health care flexible spending account (FSA), there is a limit to what you can contribute in a year and it is designed to be spent within the year, allowing a small amount to carry over. But it is compatible with all health plans.
• A dependent care FSA also has a contribution limit each year and is designed to be spent within the year, with no carry over.

Learn about these accounts detailed below.