Many benefits brokers, HR benefits managers, and retirement advisors realize the potential of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). They might see them as a way to sweeten high-deductible health plan sales, or save on health care costs while aiding employees, or provide expertise in guiding the investment side of the accounts, or help in saving for retirement.

But despite the interest, there's still some confusion as to what HSAs actually are and how they can be used. When you add to that the growing movement to "unchain" HSAs from their high-deductible health plan requirement, it's even more important to understand what HSAs are now and what their potential is for the future.  For perspective, we turned to Shobin Uralil, the COO and Cofounder of Lively, a Health Savings Account (HSA) platform for employers and individuals.