Overview
Claims carry-forward is a feature available for HSA Select Plans. It gives you extra time to use your benefits.
If you don’t submit a claim for an eligible expense in the benefit period when it was incurred, claims carry-forward allows you to submit it in the following benefit period instead.
It’s a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on using your HSA funds for eligible expenses, especially if you forgot to submit a receipt or had a lower-than-usual year for medical expenses.
The details
How does it work?
Carry-forward applies to claims, not funds. That means if you had an eligible expense last year that you didn’t submit, you may still be able to claim it this year.
With most Plans, you'll have a grace period to submit eligible expenses after your benefit period has ended but with an HSA Select you’ll be able to submit eligible expenses for reimbursement in your next benefit period.
Let’s explain with an example:
You receive $10,000 in contributions in 2025, but you have $12,000 worth of eligible expenses dated that benefit period.
Since only $10,000 is available in your 2025 benefit period, you’ll be reimbursed up to that amount and your 2025 funds will be fully used.
When your plan renews in 2026, any new contributions can go toward the remaining $2,000 from your 2025 expenses. Just make sure the expenses are still within the allowable claim window.
If you submit a claim that exceeds your available funds, you’ll see a message letting you know you’ve exhausted your Benefit Period funds.
Expense eligibility
Even when carried forward, the expense must meet eligibility requirements and must have been incurred while you were eligible on the Plan.
This feature isn’t included in every Plan
Claims carry-forward is only currently available for Members on HSA Select Plans. If you’re unsure about your Plan type, check your Member Centre for more details or reach out to our Customer Experience Team, we're happy to help!
Anything else?
Claims carry-forward only applies to claims, not unused funds. If your Plan includes contribution carry forward, that’s a separate feature with different rules.
Still not sure whether claims carry-forward applies to you, or how long you have to submit? You can find the details in your Member Centre.
And if you ever need help figuring out whether an expense qualifies, just ask!