Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about using an HSA for your small business

What is an HSA?

An HSA allows employers to allocate tax-free funds for employee medical expenses. Employees pay out-of-pocket, submit claims, and receive tax-free reimbursements. Employers deduct these costs as business expenses, reducing taxable income while providing flexible benefits.

How does an HSA work?

An HSA works by reducing the amount you pay in taxes for eligible medical expenses. For example, an individual who makes $120,000 per year in Alberta would have to earn $6,955 in pre-tax income in order to cover $5,000 in medical expenses. Even when factoring in our administrative costs, by using Frontier HSA you would save $1,409 or 20% of your pre-tax dollars. To see how much you would save, please use our Tax Savings Calculator.

How is an HSA claim processed?

The process is straightforward: 1. the employer sets an annual spending limit for each class of employee; 2. employees pay for eligible medical expenses upfront using their personal accounts; 3. employees submit their claims to Frontier HSA through our web browser or easy-to-use mobile app; 4. the employer transfers payment for employee claims to Frontier HSA from their corporate account; 5. Frontier HSA reimburses the employee for their claim.

Am I eligible to start an HSA?

You are eligible to start an HSA for yourself if you: 1. own an Incorporated Business; 2. receive T4 income from your business. You are eligible to start an HSA for your employees if you: 1. own an Incorporated Business; 2. have one or more arms length employees.

Why choose an HSA over traditional insurance?

HSAs offer several key advantages over traditional insurance. For example, an HSA is: Predictable: Traditional insurance premiums are always rising, with an HSA, you won't encounter unexpected increases to your annual premiums. Transparent: Our pricing model is clear and easy to understand, with an HSA, you won't deal with hidden caps, deductibles, or co-insurance. Flexible: Get the coverage that suits your needs, with an HSA, employees have the freedom to choose how to spend their allocated funds on eligible medical expenses. Cost-Effective: Pay only for the coverage you actually use, an HSA is often more cost-effective for small businesses compared to traditional insurance since employer contributions are 100% tax-deductible, and employee claims are 100% tax-free outside of Ontario. Simple: Setting up an HSA takes just minutes and is easy to manage!

Are HSA expenses tax deductible?

Yes, contributions made by employers to Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) are 100% tax-deductible business expenses in Canada. Additionally, with the exception of Ontario, all claim submissions by employees are 100% tax-free.

What are the costs of an HSA compared to a traditional insurance plan?

In 2024, preliminary estimates suggest the average payment for public health care insurance ranges from $4,908 to $17,713 for Canadian families (Fraser Institute, 2024). In addition to this, the average Canadian Household spends an average of $2,776 on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses (Statistics Canada). With an HSA you pay only for the medical expenses you need.

Is my family covered by my HSA plan?

Yes, an HSA covers medical expenses for your spouse (legal spouse or common law partner), children (natural, step-children or adopted children), and any dependents living within your household.

What expenses are covered by an HSA plan?

An HSA covers a wide range of medical expenses including prescription drugs, dental, vision care, chiropractic care, physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, mental health services, and medical equipment. For more information on eligible medical expenses, please visit the CRA website .

What expenses are NOT covered by an HSA plan?

An HSA does not cover purely cosmetic procedures, over-the-counter medications without a prescription, and general wellness items, such as gym memberships. For more information on eligible medical expenses, please visit the CRA website .

Can I use both a traditional health provider and an HSA?

Yes, if you or your spouse have traditional health insurance, we recommend submitting claims to your provider first so that any out of pocket fees, co-pay amounts or any other fees that are not covered can be paid for through Frontier HSA. When submitting a claim for an expense that has been partially covered by traditional insurance, only submit the part of the claim that was not covered to Frontier HSA with the original receipt.

What is the annual contribution limit for my HSA?

The employer will need to establish an annual limit for each class of employee included in the Plan. In order to ensure the HSA remains CRA-compliant, Frontier HSA has established certain restrictions on these limits. For example, the Frontier HSA contribution limit cannot exceed $15,000 per employee and the highest contribution limit within the organization should not exceed the lowest account limit by a factor of 10X.

What happens to any unused contribution room in my HSA?

Any unused contribution room in your HSA will be rolled over for one additional plan year. For example, if you have an annual limit of $10,000 in 2024 but only spend $9,000, the unused amount will be rolled over, making your annual limit in 2025 $11,000. Unused contribution room can only be rolled for one year after which any unused contribution room will the forfeited.

How do I claim HSA expenses on my corporate tax return?

HSA expenses are classified as Employee Benefit Tax Deductions on your corporate tax return.

Medical Expenses Coverage

The CRA provides a detailed list of medical expenses eligible for tax deductions. Below is a comprehensive list of both eligible and ineligible expenses.

Acoustic coupler

Requires a prescription

Air conditioner

Requires a prescription

Air filter, cleaner, or purifier

Requires a prescription

Altered auditory feedback devices

Requires a prescription

Ambulance service

No prescription needed

Artificial eye or limb

No prescription needed

Assisted breathing devices (CPAP, ventilator)

Requires a prescription

Attendant care and care in a facility

Specific conditions apply; refer to CRA guidelines

Audible signal devices

Requires a prescription

Baby breathing monitor

Requires both a prescription and written certification

Bathroom aids

Requires a prescription

Dental services

No prescription needed

Dentures and dental implants

No prescription needed

Fertility-related procedures

Specific conditions apply; refer to CRA guidelines

Hearing aids

No prescription needed

Hospital services

No prescription needed

Laser eye surgery

No prescription needed

Medical cannabis

No prescription needed

Medical services by practitioners

No prescription needed

Organ transplant

No prescription needed

Orthodontic work

No prescription needed

Osteogenesis stimulator

Requires a prescription

Oxygen concentrator

Requires a prescription

Pacemaker

Requires a prescription

Page-turning devices

Requires a prescription

Phototherapy equipment

Requires a prescription

Pressure pulse therapy devices

Requires a prescription

Prosthetic limbs and devices

No prescription needed

Reading services for the blind

No prescription needed

Rehabilitative therapy

Requires a prescription

Renovation or construction expenses

Requires a prescription

Scooter (used in place of a wheelchair)

Requires a prescription

Sign-language interpretation services

No prescription needed

Speech therapy

Requires a prescription

Standing devices

Requires a prescription

Talking textbooks

Requires a prescription

Teletypewriters (TTY)

Requires a prescription

Therapy (occupational, physical)

Requires a prescription

Training (caregiver training)

No prescription needed

Travel expenses

Specific conditions apply; refer to CRA guidelines

Truss for hernia

No prescription needed

Tutoring services

Requires a prescription

Vaccines

No prescription needed

Van (20% of van's cost for wheelchair adaptation)

Requires a prescription

Vehicle modification for disabilities

Requires a prescription

Visual or vibratory signaling devices

Requires a prescription

Voice recognition software

Requires a prescription

Walking aids (canes, walkers)

No prescription needed

Water filter, cleaner, or purifier

Requires a prescription

Wheelchair

No prescription needed

Wheelchair carrier

Requires a prescription

Wigs (for medical reasons)

Requires a prescription

Athletic or fitness club fees

Not eligible

Birth control devices (non-prescription)

Not eligible

Blood pressure monitors

Not eligible

Cosmetic surgery (solely for cosmetic purposes)

Not eligible

Diaper services

Not eligible

Health club memberships

Not eligible

Non-prescription medications

Not eligible

Personal response systems (such as Lifeline)

Not eligible

Scales for weighing food

Not eligible

Sunglasses (non-prescription)

Not eligible

Toothbrushes (even if prescribed)

Not eligible

Travel expenses for non-medical reasons

Not eligible

For the complete list of eligible expenses, visit the CRA website