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Medical Savings Account (MSA)

Guidance for general public on Medicare Medical Savings Accounts.

Final

Issued by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Issue Date: February 27, 2012

A Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) plan is a type of Medicare Advantage plan that combines a high-deductible health plan with a medical savings account. Enrollees of Medicare MSA plans can initially use their savings account to help pay for health care, and then will have coverage through a high-deductible insurance plan once they reach their deductible. Medicare MSA plans provide Medicare beneficiaries with more control over health care utilization, while still providing coverage against catastrophic health care expenses. In Demonstration MSA plans, some MSA provisions are waived to make the plans more like other consumer-directed health plans, such as health savings accounts (HSAs) available in the private sector.

A comprehensive guide to MSA plans may be found at the following site:

https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-medical-savings-account-msa-plans

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DISCLAIMER: The contents of this database lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law (including Medicare Advantage Rate Announcements and Advance Notices) or as specifically incorporated into a contract. The Department may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not posted on the guidance repository, except to establish historical facts.