Insurance won't pay, can I use an HSA?

[binab 50]

My insurance will not cover my surgery and I'm going to be a cash pay patient. My original plan was to use a combination of 401k loan (I pray it's still worth something!) and a healthcare FSA.

My husbands employer is now offering a choice of either having a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA). They are putting some money into the HSA account if that is the selection we make. Can I use an HSA to pay for my surgery? I'm very familiar with how FSA's work, but not at all with the HSA stuff. Can anyone enlighten me?

Thanks!

Edited October 2, 2008 by binab

[MacMadame 81]

I'd be surprised if you couldn't. They were created to help people save up for medical procedures. But I'm no expert on them.

Have you see the info on the US Treasury site about them:

U.S. Treasury - Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)