Given everything going on, it's time for some good news. The recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has clarified that a $0-visit-fee telehealth service is now valid alongside an HSA-qualified plan.

This has been a much-debated question in recent years, as it had not been previously codified into law or specifically allowed or disallowed by regulators. In fact, it's one of the most-common questions we get from brokers and employers.

What was the issue?

HSA regulations state that an employer can't provide "significant care" before a qualified HDHP plan kicks in. However, the word "significant" is not specifically defined. So, the question became, is a $0 visit fee telehealth service considered significant care? Regulators have not answered this question, although millions of Americans have access to telehealth and HDHP plans.