Health Spending Account FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Your Health Spending Account

View a sample HSA Statement

1. What types of expenses can I claim?

Any service or item that is eligible to be claimed as a medical expense on your tax return may be claimed under your Health Spending Account (HSA). This can include any balances not paid under your regular health care or dental plan. You can also claim services or items that meet Canada Revenue Agency's guidelines such as licensed medical practitioners, medical equipment or supplies.

2. How do I submit a claim?

You will need to fill out an HSA claim form to request payment for eligible expenses, such as any unpaid balance under your health care or dental plans. If your claims are coordinated with a spouse's plan under an insurer other than Manitoba Blue Cross, a copy of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is required and must include claim details. If your spouse's plan is covered under Manitoba Blue Cross, you would simply indicate the other contract number under the "Coordination of Benefits" section of the HSA claim form.

Some HSA plans may allow automatic payment of unpaid balances transferred from health or dental claims, once an established minimum eligible amount is accumulated - see question 5.

3. When will I be reimbursed?

HSA claims are not paid on the same schedule like other benefit claims. A group may have set up payment to be semi-monthly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or yearly.

4. Can I assign my benefit to a service provider, such as a dentist or an optician?

No. The Canada Revenue Agency requires that you must pay the cost of the expenses and then be reimbursed from your plan.

5. Is there a minimum dollar amount I need to claim before payment will be made?

Each group has established a minimum eligible expense amount before payment can be processed. Once you have reached this amount, your claim will be processed based on your group payment schedule explained above. If your eligible expenses are under this amount, Manitoba Blue Cross will hold your claim until additional expenses reach your minimum dollar amount. If you do not submit additional claims, Manitoba Blue Cross will pay out your claims on your group's year end date.

6. Can the HSA reimbursement be sent to me via Direct Deposit?

Yes. As a member of Customer E-Service you can sign up for Direct Deposit. Not yet a member? Register for Customer E-Service now.

7. How can I get specific information about my Health Spending Account?

As a member of Customer E-service you can view the status of your HSA claim and get further information on your specific Health Spending Account. Not yet a member? Register for Customer E-Service now.