A health savings account is a tax-free savings account similar to an individual retirement account. It is designed specifically to pay for medical expenses. These expenses are wholly tax-deductible for self-employed account holders. Cash from these accounts can be withdrawn effortlessly by using a check or debit card. It facilitates payment of routine medical expenditures with tax-free money.

President Bush signed the new health savings account legislation on December 8, 2003. The new policies are designed to cater to modern needs. Even though some features of the plan are the same as the initial one, there have been some significant modifications. These include lower deductibles and options wherein up to 100% of the amount deducted may be contributed to a health savings account. Moreover, the new plan is designed in a manner wherein almost everyone qualifies to be an account holder.

Substantial everyday medicinal expenditure may be paid for by a low-cost, high deductible health insurance policy. The amount that is not used to pay bills accumulates and continues to collect interest according to the plan. This amount keeps growing in the account, year after year. The amount maybe used as additional income during retirement.

Account holders have the option of splitting the money presently spent on a sky-high conventional health plan by putting a fraction of it towards a low cost higher deductible policy and depositing the rest into a tax-deductible health savings account. This account should be used to pay small everyday medical expenses. In case the money in this account is not enough to clear the bills, the high deductible insurance policy can be used to help repay outstanding medical bills.

The principle idea to open a health savings account is to substitute a conventional health policy. These plans are more flexible and permits people to select their own physicians without being bound to restrictions imposed by other medical plans.