In some circumstances, transferring funds from one H.S.A. to a different can take weeks, throughout which the unique account continues to cost a month-to-month payment, the report mentioned. It additionally cited client complaints about funds that have been misplaced through the switch from one financial institution to a different.

The analysis agency Morningstar evaluated 10 H.S.A. plans in October utilizing standards like charges, curiosity on financial savings and funding decisions. (The agency appeared solely at accounts accessible on to people, somewhat than these supplied by employers, so particulars could differ.) Constancy Investments was the one supplier rated “excessive” total for each spending and investing. Its H.S.A. supplied an rate of interest on financial savings effectively above 2 p.c, whereas its opponents paid lower than 1 p.c.

“That’s a giant shortcoming,” mentioned Greg Carlson, senior supervisor analysis analyst at Morningstar.

Listed here are some questions and solutions about well being accounts:

How can I finest keep away from having cash left over in an F.S.A.?

Sara Taylor, senior director of worker spending accounts at the advantages marketing consultant WTW, suggests taking an in depth have a look at your previous medical bills earlier than deciding how a lot to contribute to your F.S.A. “It’s onerous to do, for some individuals,” she mentioned. However taking a look at your “rationalization of advantages” for final 12 months — the kinds that describe what remedies you had and what share of the price you owe — may also help you provide you with an affordable quantity. Was final 12 months an anomaly since you had main surgical procedure? In that case, you might need to contribute a decrease quantity. Many employers provide on-line instruments that can assist you make an estimate.

It additionally helps to know what you may spend F.S.A. cash on. That manner, if you end up with a steadiness on the finish of the 12 months, you need to use the cash to purchase eligible over-the-counter gadgets like ache medicine and even sunscreen. A useful useful resource is the F.S.A. Store, which incorporates a web-based alphabetical checklist of eligible and ineligible gadgets.

If I forfeit money in my F.S.A. to my employer, have I wasted my cash?

Nobody desires to surrender funds, however employees can nonetheless come out forward, in contrast with not contributing, due to the tax advantages of F.S.A. contributions, Mr. Spiegel mentioned. Say a hypothetical employee with a 30 p.c marginal tax fee (together with federal, state, payroll and native taxes) contributes $1,500 to an F.S.A., realizing $450 in tax financial savings. If the employee forfeits lower than $450 again to the employer, the employee will nonetheless have benefited from collaborating.