2026 FAQ How is a PPO different from a HDHP? Prior to 2025, HCCSC only sponsored High Deductible Health Plans (also called HDHPs, Consumer Driven Health Plans, or CDHPs). These plans are designed such that a participant is fully responsible for the full cost of their healthcare and medications until they reach their deductible, after which the plan begins to cover all or a portion of healthcare expenses. In 2025 HCCS switched to a PPO design, which means instead of paying the full cost of healthcare for doctor’s visits and medications, you instead pay a predictable and affordable fixed copay amount. Another major difference between HDHPs and PPOs is that you are not permitted to contribute pre-tax dollars to a Health Savings Account, or HSA. HSAs are designed to help members reach the high deductible amount in an HDHP without the burden of income tax, so if you are enrolled in the PPO, you may not contribute funds to an HSA. I had an HSA prior to 2025 that still has a balance. What happens to those funds? If you have money in an HSA today, don’t worry! The funds already in your account were not forfeited when you began participating in your PPO healthcare plan. You can continue spending available funds from a Health Savings Account even if you are no longer eligible to contribute new funds to the account. You can feel free to spend your unused HSA dollars on your eligible out of pocket medical expenses next year. Please review this list of eligible HSA expenses. Is there an alternative to an HSA I can use to pay for medical expenses on a pre-tax basis? Yes! As a PPO participant, you may be eligible to participate in a traditional Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA). You can sign up with an FSA provider of your choosing, or you can get in contact with American Fidelity before 12/31/2025 to sign up for their FSA product.