If you’ve ever shopped for health insurance on Healthcare.gov, you know it’s not exactly a thrill ride. Deductibles, copays, networks — there’s a lot to keep track of.
But starting in 2026, something genuinely good (and simple!) is happening in the ACA world:
Every Bronze and Catastrophic Marketplace plan will officially become HSA-eligible.
That might sound small, but it’s actually a huge deal for millions of people who buy their own insurance — especially freelancers, small business owners, and employees using an ICHRA (Individual Coverage HRA).
What’s changing for ACA Bronze plans?
Until now, only a few ACA Bronze plans qualified as High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) — the type of plan you need to open a Health Savings Account (HSA).
The IRS has strict design rules for HDHPs, like not covering non-preventive care before you hit your deductible. That meant most ACA plans, even high-deductible ones, didn’t qualify.
But that’s about to change.
A new federal law — part of a broader benefits reform package nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — says that starting January 1, 2026, all Bronze and Catastrophic ACA marketplace plans will automatically count as HDHPs.
That means:
- Anyone enrolled in one of these plans can open and contribute to an HSA
- Plan designs that previously “disqualified” you (like having an office visit copay) will no longer matter
- You can finally pair affordable ACA coverage with tax-advantaged health savings
Quick refresher: What’s an HSA?
A Health Savings Account is like a super-charged savings account for your medical expenses. It lets you:
- Save pre-tax money — reducing your taxable income
- Spend tax-free on things like prescriptions, deductibles, and vision or dental care
- Grow tax-free if you invest unused funds
And here’s the kicker: your HSA balance never expires — it rolls over each year and even becomes a retirement savings account once you’re 65.
It’s one of the only “triple-tax-advantaged” tools available in the U.S.
Why this change matters
For years, people buying their own coverage got stuck with a strange tradeoff:
High deductibles but no access to an HSA.
That meant missing out on one of the most powerful savings tools in healthcare — especially frustrating for people who are self-employed, run small businesses, or use an ICHRA.
Starting in 2026:
- Millions more Americans will qualify for HSAs automatically
Small businesses offering ICHRAs can point employees toward ACA Bronze plans that now come with HSA benefits - Tax savings will be accessible to a much broader group of households
It’s one of the biggest consumer-friendly simplifications the ACA has ever seen.
What to keep in mind
A few important notes:
- You still have to meet the personal HSA rules — you can’t be enrolled in Medicare, be claimed as a dependent, or have another disqualifying health plan.
- This change applies to ACA marketplace plans (individual coverage), not automatically to employer-sponsored group plans.
- The rule takes effect January 1, 2026 — not before.
Why it’s great news for ICHRA users
If your company offers an ICHRA, this change unlocks a big new advantage.
Employees who choose a Bronze plan on the Marketplace will be able to:
- Pay their premiums with employer funding, and
- Save additional pre-tax money in an HSA for out-of-pocket costs.
That combination of ICHRA + HSA gives employees more financial control and tax savings than traditional group plans ever could.
The bottom line
For once, an insurance change is actually simple — and positive.
Starting in 2026, every ACA Bronze and Catastrophic plan becomes HSA-eligible.
That means fewer rules, more flexibility, and a powerful new way to save on healthcare costs.
If you’re self-employed, run a small business, or use an ICHRA to offer benefits, this is one to mark on your calendar — because next year, your Bronze plan might finally come with a built-in tax advantage.
Want to learn more about how health insurance is changing in 2026? Check out our other blog here.
