What account allows individuals to set aside money for qualified health care expenses?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is specifically designed for individuals to set aside money for qualified healthcare expenses. It provides a way for individuals to save money on a pre-tax basis, which can then be used to pay for medical expenses that the insurance does not cover, such as deductibles, copayments, and certain out-of-pocket costs.

The funds in an HSA roll over from year to year if they are not used, and they can also earn interest, providing potential growth over time. Additionally, contributions to an HSA are tax-deductible, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free, making it a tax-advantaged way to save for healthcare costs.

While flexible spending accounts (FSAs) also permit setting aside money for healthcare expenses, they generally have a "use it or lose it" feature, meaning funds must be used within the plan year, which makes HSAs more flexible in terms of long-term saving. Checking and retirement accounts are not designated specifically for healthcare expenses and do not offer the same tax benefits associated with HSAs.