Details | HSA | HRA |
Summary | Buy Qualified High-Deductible Health Plan and Marry with Health Savings Account. Employee uses Plan and HSA to pay medical expenses. Unused funds remain in savings account. | Buy Higher Deductible Plan, agree with Employees to reimburse them for difference in deductibles. Unused funds reduce benefit costs. |
Ownership | Employee Owns Account. | No Account Must Exist. If created, Employer Owns. |
Focus | High Ded + Savings Account = Medical Coverage. | High Ded = ER Savings - Reimbursements. |
Flexibility | Must Buy Qualified High-deductible Health Plan (QHDHP). Limited flexibility. | Can Match to Any Plan or be Stand Alone. Can customize to Employer situation. |
Biggest Advantage | Employees may be more careful with health matters. Tax-Advantaged spending and saving. | Maximum Savings and Flexibility. Can deliver the same benefits to the employee without buying the same plan. |