• Lower Premiums: The premiums for the NAU HDHP/HSA are lower than the NAU PPO. If you switch from the NAU PPO, you can save between $1,000 and $3,400 each year in premium cost.
• Higher out-of-pocket expenses: The deductible and out-of-pocket maximums for the NAU HDHP/HSA are higher than those for the NAU PPO.
  • NAU HDHP/HSA Deductible: Individual $1,400\Family $2,800
  • NAU HDHP/HSA Out-of-Pocket Maximum: Individual $2,000\Family $4,000
• Health Care Saving Account: If you select the NAU HDHP/HSA option, each pay period NAU will contribute to your HSA account.  You can also contribute to the account up to the IRS maximum. You can use the funds in the account to help pay for your out-of-pocket expenses.

It will depend on the number of dependents you cover on your medical plan. Remember the NAU contributions to your HSA account are made each pay period.  It is a good idea to contribute some of your premium savings to your HSA to help cover your increased out-of-pocket expenses. Review the Premium and Out-of-Pocket differences.

Anyone can enroll in the HDHP but there are limitations and who participant in the Health Care Savings Account. To contribute to an HSA, the IRS requires you:

• Must be enrolled in a Qualified HDHP, such as the new NAU BCBSAZ HDHP or the State HDHP
• Cannot be covered by Health Coverage that is not Qualified (includes spousal FSA, Medicare, Tricare, IHS or a traditional health plan)
• Cannot be enrolled in Medicare A or B
• Medicare and HSA eligibility information 
• Cannot be a dependent on someone else’s tax return
• Cannot use the VA for a non-service related injury

Note: Since you are the account holder these limitations apply to you not your dependents.

Yes. Merely being eligible for to receive care does not affect your HSA eligibility. However, receiving certain services can make you ineligible to receive or make contributions to your HSA and lowers the annual amount you can contribute your HSA.  Per the IRS Notice 2012-14,

‘an individual who is eligible to receive medical services at an IHS facility, but who has not actually received such services during the previous three months, is an eligible individual within the meaning of § 223(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code who may establish and make tax-free contributions to an HSA. However, an individual generally is not an eligible individual if the individual has received medical services at an IHS facility at any time during the previous three months.’

If you receive IHS services that would make you ineligible for HSA contributions and it is your responsibility to contact Human Resources to stop NAU’s and your HSA contributions.

More information

• IRS website at https://www.plansponsor.com/irs-provides-guidance-on-hsas-for-users-of-indian-health-service/
• Health Equity’s HSA Guidebook page 39

You may also wish to contact your tax advisor

The HSA funds can only be used for tax dependents.  So, if you can claim a dependent on your taxes you can use your HSA funds their covered health care expenses.

Yes. With either HDHP/HSA, you can still see Campus Health Services (CHS) providers, but you will need to meet your deductible before eligible expenses are paid.  As CHS charges are generally lower than those of community providers, this can help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

No, unfortunately you can only request to be reimbursed, or to pay medical expenses with the funds available in the current balance. The other thing to keep in mind is that there is no time limit with an HSA to reimburse yourself for qualified medical expenses that you pay out-of-pocket.  You can accumulate the reimbursable amount until you reach a determined goal while building tax-free earnings.

Yes, but there are limitations.  If you are enrolled in an HSA you can also make contributions to a ‘Limited Purpose FSA”.  You can only pay for Dental and Vision expenses with a ‘Limited Purpose FSA”.  Medical expenses would need to be paid out of your HSA.

There are several differences.

The two plans operate similarly but have several differences.

Here are the links to the the drugs list for the NAU and the State of AZ HDHP\HSA

• NAU HDHP\HSA Preventive Drug List for the
• ADOA HDHP\HSA Safe Harbor Preventative Drug List