Over the last few installments of our series on "Top HSA questions," topics have ranged from account rules for spouses to employer contributions and Medicare to plan design. In this final part of the series, I'll address wellness and health savings accounts, more on employer contributions and year-round benefits communication.

Question: I've heard a lot of talk about pairing wellness steps with an HSA-compatible plan. How are employers incorporating wellness into their HSA offering and why? 

Answer: Well, this is a natural pairing, because a high-deductible health plan empowers employees to better manage and educate themselves on the impact of day-to-day habits and expenses. I recommend a two-pronged approach to tackling this issue, in which employers arm employees with strategies to improve wellness and provide meaningful incentives to reward positive health decisions. In turn, employees should be more prepared to actively manage the costs associated with their care.