Previously, preventative care only applied to services that were not provided in response to a particular condition, such as annual physicals. (Photo: Shutterstock)

The U.S. Department of Treasury released a notice Wednesday that could have major implications for high-deductible health plans by allowing plans to pay for certain services even if a patient has not yet met their deductible.

“We are pleased and proud that the Treasury Department is pursuing valuable guidance to increase the usefulness of health savings accounts (HSAs),” said American Benefits Council (Council) President James A. Klein in a statement.

At issue are federal regulations that prohibit any health plans that provide members with health savings accounts from paying for non-preventative health care before the patient hits their annual deductible. The regulations are aimed at encouraging individuals to take more responsibility for their health care spending and become better health care consumers.