I had a qualifying high-deductible health insurance plan in 2013 and an associated health savings account (HSA) at a bank. Normally, you would have until the April following the tax year to contribute to the HSA and receive reimbursements from the HSA for qualified medical expenses incurred in 2013, up to the allowable limit (either the maximum allowed, or the accumulated reimbursable amount, whichever is less).

In my case, I cancelled my qualified high-deductible health insurance plan effective 01DEC2013, but by 31DEC2013 I had not yet completed contributing to the HSA an amount equal to what I might have qualified for.

I have been told by one source that I can only legitimately have an HSA if I have an active qualifying high-deductible health insurance plan, and since I cancelled my qualifying high-deductible health insurance plan in DEC2013 I cannot therefore contribute to my old HSA up to the 15APR2014 deadline to receive the 2013 tax benefits. Seems like a bit of a Catch-22, so I wanted to verify with another source. Note: I have not actually yet closed my HSA, though there is no balance in it at the moment.

QUESTION: Given the scenario described above, can I still contribute to my HSA for the tax benefits of 2013 and can I still receive reimbursements form that account for those qualified medical expenses incurred in 2013?

you can keep your HSA funds. You can not deposit more money unless you also have a qualified hdhp. You can use the money left in your HSA account for any qualified expenses for you and your family members regardless of whether or not they are covered by health insurance. Even though HSA's allow you to deposit an annual amount the deposits are still prorated if you cancel your plan. For example if you deposited the maximum annual and canceled your plan 9 months into the year you would have to withdraw 9 months worth of your contribution.