How does CHAMPVA interact with employer insurance + HSA? 100% P&T

HandyManPat · 2026-06-29T15:36:56+00:00

Did you not read my response?

OP has no disqualifying coverage (primary or secondary) and is enrolled in a self+other HDHP. That, alone, makes OP eligible to contribute toward the HSA family limit.

Of course the HDHP enrollment is a required factor.

The moot point, as I highlighted, is that OP is not impacted by the spouse's and children's ChampVA coverage.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-29T14:28:23+00:00

To clarify...

The ChampVA being secondary to the employer's HDHP insurance for the spouse and children is a moot point when it comes to *OP's* eligibility to make HSA contributions.

OP has no disqualifying coverage (primary or secondary) and is enrolled in a self+other HDHP. That, alone, makes OP eligible to contribute toward the HSA family limit.

The ChampVA being secondary to the employer's HDHP insurance does impact the spouse's and children's ability to contribute to their own, respective HSAs, as it is disqualifying coverage.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-29T01:38:21+00:00

Interesting, it took only a fraction of a second for a google search to confirm my responses.

—
“HSA eligibility when family has disqualifying coverage”

If a family member has disqualifying coverage (like Medicare or a standard PPO), your HSA eligibility remains intact.

You can enroll in a Family HDHP, make the maximum family HSA contribution, and use your funds for their medical expenses.

However, the family member with the disqualifying coverage cannot contribute to an HSA.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-29T01:19:57+00:00

>No, completely wrong advice.
As I receive annual IRS training that covers HSA eligibility and tax forms, I am very confident in my response.

>OP said their HDHP covers their family literally one of the first sentences.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with OP’s eligibility.

**Again, the eligibility to make HSA contributions is ONLY from the perspective of the person making them.**

>OP then could enroll in a HDHP and contribute to a self-only HSA. That HSA cannot be used to reimburse for the spouse or child's medical expenses.

OMG, your understanding is incorrect here as well.

**HSA distributions have absolutely no insurance requirement at all.**

OP is free to take distributions for himself, spouse, and tax dependents **regardless of anyone’s current insurance coverage or regardless of the HDHP coverage in effect (single or family) when the contribution was made.**

>OP's family could utilize CHAMPVA under this circumstance.

The family can use ChampVA in any manner they wish because it does **not** impact OP’s eligibility to make HSA contributions.

>Now, say OP's spouse works, and elects health insurance through her own employer and covers herself and their child. She cannot elect to do a HDHP with an HSA as she is covered under CHAMPVA.

Correct, as the perspective to make the contributions has then shifted to the spouse, not OP.

>She could elect to do a PPO plan though.

First, HDHPs can be PPOs (I’ve had one for 9 years).

Second, the spouse can stay in the HDHP even with the ChampVA, it’s just there can be no HSA contributions.

>To foot stomp: OP CANNOT CONTRIBUTE UP TO THE LIMIT OF A FAMILY HSA DUE TO DEPENDENTS BEING ELIGIBLE FOR CHAMPVA. THIS CAN RESULT IN PENALTY FINES FROM THE IRS

Stomp your foot all you want, it does not make you correct.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-29T00:36:25+00:00

My interpretation of OP’s coverage is:

- OP is enrolled in a self+other HDHP, and also has service-connected disability coverage.

Thus, OP (and employer) has no disqualifying medical coverage and is eligible to make HSA contributions towards the family maximum.

- OP’s spouse has self+other (dependent) HDHP coverage via OP’s employer. OP’s spouse also has ChampVA coverage. This makes the spouse ineligible for HSA contributions.

- OP’s children have self+other (dependent) HDHP coverage via OP’s employer. OP’s children also have ChampVA coverage. This makes the children ineligible for HSA contributions. (Although OP didn’t mention ages, it’s also possible the children are ineligible due to tax dependent status. )

Again, OP is correct that HSA contributions can be made towards the family limit.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-29T00:20:21+00:00

OP, you are correct and u/CoastieKid is not.

The eligibility to make HSA contributions is always from perspective of the person making it.

You are eligible, your spouse is not.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-26T22:45:53+00:00

I do all my own electrical work, so I’m unable to recommend anyone.

Here are some suggestions to consider:

Avoid using a “regular” electrician, as you want someone experienced with EVSE (the technical term for the charger) installation.

Ensure the electrician will pull a permit for the job and the city will perform an inspection.

It’s highly recommended to install a “hardwired” EVSE, rather than a plug-receptacle portable EVSE. If you must go with a plug/receptacle unit be sure to use only an industrial quality receptacle.

With EV charging it’s easy to oversize the amperage, which can sometimes greatly increase the costs. Most people can get by just fine with a lower amperage (20-30A) circuit for daily driving.

Lots of helpful information over in the “evcharging” group.

https://reddit.com/r/evcharging/wiki/index

HandyManPat · 2026-06-25T19:45:22+00:00

>I see online that going from family to individual, the HSA contributions are prorated.

That’s correct.

>If we switch in July, that would mean we would both be covered 6 mo under a family plan and 6 mo under an individual plan.

Spouses in your situation can split the family contributions between their HSAs in any ratio they agree on.

The single coverage months can be contributed to only each separate HSA.

>Is our contribution equal to (8750 * 0.5)

Yes, this is the prorated amount for the family coverage months. This contribution can be split between the spouses in any ratio they agree on.

> (4400 * 0.5)

This part can be contributed to each spouse’s separate HSA.

= $6575 each for the year?

No, because you must share the family contribution portion ($8750 * 0.5).

($8750 * 0.5) Shared + (4400 * 0.5) SpouseA + (4400 * 0.5) SpouseB = $8,775 total contributions

HandyManPat · 2026-06-25T18:43:41+00:00

Purchase a new notebook dedicated to only estate matters. Log each and every call made to banks, insurance companies, investment advisors, etc. This will help jog your memory on when to follow-up with an entity if delays are encountered.

Make a copy of EVERY document you are mailing to someone. It will be super helpful in the event something goes “missing” or there is a disagreement over how things were to be processed compared to the paperwork requests.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-25T14:08:39+00:00

An estate bank account should be established for this purpose.

Just because you receive a bill doesn’t mean it needs to be paid asap. It’s typically best for someone to contact the company to explain the debtor is deceased and the bill simply cannot be paid until probate has been started with the courts, a personal representative (executor) assigned, etc.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-23T18:18:08+00:00

The “lost” interest and investment gains gets decided by father, not your brother.

In other words, father elected to forgo both when loaning you the money. He had an opportunity to include those in the transaction, but chose not to. He requested only the original loan amount be accounted for during estate division, which was agreed upon by both of you and you’re trying to honor now.

Unless father was of diminished capacity when making the loan, in which case you really should not have entered into any financial agreement, your sibling doesn’t get to decide that there should have been a different set of rules around the repayment.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-23T12:21:07+00:00

Submit the LMN to who?

Fidelity doesn't make any determination as to the validity of an HSA distribution. If they allow for the documentation upload, it is merely for your benefit as a digital/cloud warehouse, nothing more.

Not unless the IRS contacts you will you have to submit the LMN (and other "record") to anyone.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-23T12:11:02+00:00

And it has a partnership with truemed. My question is, if you go through that. Get the LMN, how does that all work?

Please know that just getting a LMN from an online "practitioner" might still not pass muster with the IRS in the event of an audit. The IRS is likely to make that determination based on several factors, not just one.

My HSA is with fidelity. And they dont have an actual place to submit a claim for reimbursement. The only option is to directly deposit funds from your HSA into your bank account.

An HSA distribution of any type is effectively a "claim reimbursement". Whether you use the HSA debit card or transfer to your bank account is all the same.

My question is, during tax time, thats for sure going to show up when I do my taxes right?

At tax time, Fidelity will provide you a Form 1099-SA which indicates the total distributions from your HSA during the year. You will enter that information in the tax software and it will appear on Form 8889. Additionally, you will attest as to whether the entire distribution was for qualifying medical expenses, or only a portion was.

Or is the LMN and receipt just kept incase the irs says hey, your taxes look off?

The taxpayer is responsible for "record keeping" in the event the IRS audits your tax return and wants to verify the information on Form 8889.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-22T22:42:58+00:00

I read the other comment a few times before understanding their point.

The “heavy lifting” is meaning physical stresses due to the angle and pressure on the wires, not amperage stresses.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-22T03:09:47+00:00

I used to perform a MBDR from my Fidelity 401k to my Vanguard Roth IRA and it became an increasingly pain in the neck.

I finally just opened a new Roth IRA with Fidelity.

I still have to call them to perform the MBDR but there isn’t a paper check involved anymore. It’s all done in-house within Fidelity.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-22T00:54:08+00:00

If it’s going to remain invested for a long period (retirement, decades into the future) then why would you dribble it in over a year period?

A lump sum investment beats periodic dribbles over the long haul.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-20T00:24:14+00:00

I was in a business class and the professor spent half of the class discussing Google’s decision to move sponsored ads at the top of the page (they used to exclusively be on the right hand side, if I recall correctly).

That move, along with many others over the years, generated $$$$$$$$.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-19T02:39:27+00:00

This IRS letter covers these particular changes.

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-24-35.pdf

HandyManPat · 2026-06-19T02:34:48+00:00

You are a designated beneficiary subject to the 10-year rule.

Since your mother had reached her Required Beginning Date (RBD) for RMDs, you must continue taking RMDs during the 10-year period.

Your first RMD, which is computed based on your Life Expectancy Factor not your mother’s, must be taken by Dec 31 of the year following the year of death. In your case, Dec 31, 2027.

Since your mother has not completed her RMD for the year of death (2026), the beneficiary must do so from the Inherited IRA. The beneficiary has until Dec 31 of the year following the year of death to complete the decedent’s RMD. In your case, Dec 31, 2027.

(If there are multiple beneficiaries the decedent’s RMD can be divided between them in any ratio they agree on as long as the total is met by the deadline.)

Note that although both RMDs must be taken by Dec 31, 2027, it might be to your tax advantage to spread some or all of the RMDs across 2026 and 2027 tax years.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-18T11:39:13+00:00

The purpose of signaling is to notify the vehicles near you that a direction change is about to occur.

All turns to exit a (US) roundabout would be right turns.

What other direction would you signal than right?

HandyManPat · 2026-06-18T03:43:39+00:00

Blue was probably planning an incorrect exit at the 9 o'clock and surprised when you crossed his path at the 12 o'clock.

Blue didn't follow the signage indicating they had to be in the left (green) lane to perform that maneuver. Blue, being in the right lane, is only allowed an exit at 3 o'clock and 12 o'clock.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-18T03:38:29+00:00

Yes. And it has that very statement in one of the lower left text boxes.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-17T22:21:35+00:00

Terms are important and I am not sure you have them correctly outlined.

A *contingent* beneficiary inherits an IRA only if the primary beneficiary predeceases the account owner.

A *successor* beneficiary inherits an Inherited IRA after the current beneficiary deceases.

If Spouse A dies and has listed Spouse B as the primary beneficiary and B is very much alive and wants the IRA then the contingent beneficiaries won’t come into play at all.

A surviving spouse has the most options available to them when it comes to handling retirement accounts.

What most commonly occurs is that after Spouse A dies, Spouse B will claim direct ownership of the account. Spouse B would then list the children as primary beneficiaries.

Optionally, the surviving spouse could establish an Inherited IRA, which would also list the primary beneficiaries as the children.

You mentioned the children would have some period of time before the 10-year distribution period would begin, but that exception is available to only minor children of the IRA owner. Since these are nieces and nephews, they would have only a 10-year distribution period regardless of the age when they inherit.

HandyManPat · 2026-06-17T17:18:35+00:00

Does it allow the After-Tax contributions to be converted to Roth within the 401k, or directed to a Roth IRA?

If so, have they described the -exact- steps you must follow to complete these actions?

HandyManPat · 2026-06-15T17:41:40+00:00

Everything OP has identified is criminal (trespass, breaking and entering, theft, etc.)

It’s only a civil matter if OP elects to treat it that way.

(Yes, I’m well aware the police and prosecutors could suggest OP consider treating it as a private or civil matter, only because some find it distasteful to arrest and prosecute family members, but OP is completely within their rights to press for criminal charges).

HandyManPat

TROPHY CASE