HDHP Limits Table
| Coverage | Min deductible | Max deductible | Max out-of-pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self only | $2,900 | $4,400 | $5,850 |
| Family | $5,850 | $8,750 | $10,700 |
An HSA is only available with a qualifying high-deductible health plan - and qualifying is a two-sided test, not just a big deductible. For 2026 the deductible must sit between $2,900 and $4,400 for self-only coverage ($5,850 to $8,750 family), with out-of-pocket exposure capped at $5,850 / $10,700, all verbatim from Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
The upper bounds surprise people: a plan with a $5,000 single deductible is too generous to be an HDHP, and a plan whose out-of-pocket maximum drifts past the ceiling loses HSA eligibility however lean its premium.
How to use
- Pick coverage type and enter the plan’s annual deductible - the checker says yes or no against the 2026 band.
- Check the out-of-pocket column too: the deductible passing while OOP fails is the classic disqualified-plan surprise.
- Pass both? The plan opens the HSA year - every deposit for each month of coverage becomes eligible.
Frequently asked questions
My deductible is $2,000 with an HSA-compatible network - does it qualify?
No - the 2026 minimum is $2,900 self / $5,850 family, and “HSA-compatible” marketing is not the IRS test. Plans below the band cannot open HSA eligibility no matter how the broker describes them; the checker above applies the actual statute-shaped numbers.
Does the out-of-pocket cap include premiums?
No - the $5,850 / $10,700 ceilings cover out-of-pocket costs for covered benefits: deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Premiums sit outside the test entirely, which is how a low-premium plan can still fail the OOP leg while looking cheap.
How do embedded deductibles work for family HDHPs?
A family plan may embed an individual-level deductible, but the IRS test only cares about the plan minimum ($5,850) and the family out-of-pocket ceiling ($10,700) - and under an HDHP, no family member’s benefits can be paid until the family deductible is met unless the plan uses the permitted individual-notification approach for embedded events.
Do separate dental and vision plans break HDHP status?
No - permitted coverage like separate dental and vision policies, accident insurance, and specific-disease policies coexist with HDHP status. What breaks it is any non-HDHP medical plan that pays benefits before the deductible - even a free clinic-visit rider from the same employer.