“They won’t magically solve the problem of rising healthcare costs, and they won’t work for everyone. But more Americans should become familiar with health savings accounts. Few are. A survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation in February found that 45 percent of Americans had not even heard about HSAs, which have been available since 2004. Another 24 percent had heard of HSAs but did not know what they are. HSAs are tax-advantaged accounts that allow people not eligible for Medicare to set aside money for future healthcare expenses. To be eligible, your only health insurance must be a high-deductible policy. (For 2006, the deductible must be at least $1,050 for single coverage and $2,100 for family coverage. Nearly 3.2 million Americans were covered by HSA-eligible policies as of January, according to the industry group America’s Health Insurance Plans.) (07/27/06)