Check your bank statements and tax documents first

The fastest way to know if you have an HSA is to look at your bank statements from the past year. An HSA is a real bank account with a routing number and account number, so it will show up as a separate account at your bank or credit union. Search your statements for an account labeled "Health Savings Account" or "HSA" — it will not be mixed in with your checking or savings.

If you contributed to an HSA in the past year, you will also see it on your tax documents. Look at Form 1040 (your main tax return) and check for Form 8889, which is specifically for HSA contributions and withdrawals. If Form 8889 is attached to your return, you have an HSA. Your employer may have also sent you a Form 5498-SA in January or February, which reports HSA contributions made on your behalf.

If you cannot find these documents, contact your bank directly and ask whether you have an HSA account open in your name. They can tell you the account number, balance, and whether it is still active.

Key Takeaways

  • An HSA is a separate bank account, so check your bank statements for an account labeled "Health Savings Account" or "HSA."
  • Form 8889 on your tax return proves you have an HSA and shows contributions and withdrawals from the past year.
  • Your employer or the HSA custodian sends Form 5498-SA each January, listing contributions made on your behalf.
  • If you opened an HSA through your employer's health plan, your HR or benefits department can confirm whether the account is still active.
  • An inactive HSA still belongs to you — the money does not disappear if you change jobs or leave the plan.

Ask your employer's benefits department

If you are currently enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) through your job, your employer's HR or benefits team can tell you immediately whether an HSA was opened for you. When you enroll in an HDHP, the employer usually offers to set up an HSA at the same time, but it is not automatic — you have to choose it.

Call or email your benefits department and ask: "Do I have an HSA account open?" They will have the name of the bank or custodian holding the account, the account number, and your current balance. They can also tell you whether contributions are being taken from your paycheck and how much you have contributed so far this year.

Keep in mind that if you left that job, the HSA does not disappear. It remains your account even if you no longer work there. Your former employer's benefits department can still tell you where the account is held so you can access it.

Look for HSA statements from your bank or custodian

HSAs are held by banks, credit unions, or specialized custodians like Fidelity, HealthEquity, or Lively. If you have an HSA, you should receive statements at least once a year, usually in January or February. These statements show your balance, any contributions made, and any withdrawals or purchases you made during the year.

Check your email inbox and spam folder for statements from any of these institutions. Search for keywords like "HSA statement," "health savings," or the name of the custodian. If you find a statement, you have an HSA — the statement will show the account number and current balance.

If you cannot find a statement but think you opened an HSA years ago, contact the bank or custodian directly. You can search online for "HSA custodian [your name]" or call the main number for the institution and ask whether an account exists in your name. Bring your Social Security number when you call.

Check whether you are still enrolled in a high-deductible health plan

You can only open a new HSA if you are enrolled in an HDHP, and you can only contribute to an existing HSA while you remain on an HDHP. If you switched to a different health plan — a PPO, HMO, or a plan with a lower deductible — you may no longer be able to add money to your HSA, but the account itself still exists and the money is still yours.

Check your current health plan documents or your benefits summary from your employer. Look for the deductible amount. For 2024, an HDHP has a deductible of at least $1,600 for individual coverage or $3,200 for family coverage. If your plan meets these thresholds, you have an HDHP and can use or contribute to an HSA.

If you are not sure what plan you are on, ask your employer's benefits department or check your insurance card — it usually lists the plan name and type.

Search for HSA debit cards or investment statements

Many HSAs come with a debit card that you can use to pay for medical expenses directly. If you have an HSA debit card in your wallet or purse, you definitely have an HSA. The card will be labeled with the custodian's name — Fidelity, HealthEquity, Lively, or your bank's name.

Some HSAs also allow you to invest the money in mutual funds or stocks. If you have investment statements from an HSA custodian, you have an active HSA. These statements usually arrive quarterly or annually and show your investment holdings and account value.

If you have a debit card or investment statement but are not sure whether the account is still active, log into the custodian's website using your Social Security number or email address. You can see your current balance, recent transactions, and whether contributions are still being made.

Verify the account is still active and accessible

Once you find your HSA, confirm that it is still active and that you can access the money. Log into the online portal for your HSA custodian using your username and password. If you do not remember your login, use the "Forgot Password" link on the custodian's website.

Check your account balance and review recent transactions to make sure the account is working. If you cannot log in or the website says the account is closed, call the custodian's customer service number — it is usually on your most recent statement or on the back of your HSA debit card.

If your account has been inactive for several years, the custodian may have frozen it or charged maintenance fees. Ask whether the account can be reactivated and whether any fees were charged. Some custodians will waive fees if you restart contributions.

Understand what happens to your HSA if you change jobs

Your HSA is yours to keep, regardless of whether you change employers or leave your job. The account does not close, and the money does not go back to your employer. You own it completely.

If you change jobs, your new employer may offer a different HSA custodian. You have two options: keep your old HSA where it is, or roll the money into your new employer's HSA. Rolling over is usually free and takes a few weeks. Your old custodian will send the money directly to the new one, and you will have one account to manage.

If your new job does not offer an HSA, you can keep your old account open indefinitely. You just cannot add new contributions unless you enroll in an HDHP through a spouse's plan, the marketplace, or Medicare. The money you already have in the account remains yours and can be withdrawn for medical expenses at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I opened an HSA years ago and forgot about it?

The account still exists and the money is still yours. Contact the bank or custodian where you opened it — search your old emails or tax returns for the custodian's name. You can withdraw the money at any time, though withdrawals for non-medical expenses are taxed and subject to a penalty if you are under 65.

Can I have more than one HSA at the same time?

No. If you try to open a second HSA while one is already active, you will violate IRS rules and owe taxes and penalties. If you have multiple accounts, contact the custodians and close all but one. Your employer's benefits department can help you consolidate if you have accounts from different jobs.

What if my HSA custodian goes out of business?

Your money is protected. HSAs held at banks are covered by FDIC insurance up to $250,000. If a custodian closes, they must transfer your account to another institution or send you the money. You will be notified in advance and given time to move the account.

Do I lose my HSA money if I turn 65?

No. Once you turn 65, you can withdraw money from your HSA for any reason without penalty — you just pay income tax on non-medical withdrawals. The account does not close, and unused money can stay in the account indefinitely and be passed to your heirs.

How do I know if my HSA has investment options?

Log into your HSA account online or call the custodian. Ask whether your account offers investment choices beyond a savings account. Not all HSAs do — some custodians only offer a cash account with interest. If yours does offer investments, you can move money into mutual funds or stocks through the online portal.