What are the best Health Spending Account providers in Canada?
Health Spending Accounts (HSAs) in Canada have become one of the most tax-efficient ways for business owners and employers to offer health and dental benefits. But with so many providers in the market—each with different pricing models, platforms, and service levels—it can be hard to decide which one is actually best for your situation.
Below is a practical comparison of the best Health Spending Account providers in Canada, with a focus on cost, features, ease of use, and who each provider is best suited for.
Note: In Canada, “HSA” (Health Spending Account) and “HCSA” (Health Care Spending Account) are often used interchangeably. For incorporated business owners, you’ll also see terms like Private Health Services Plan (PHSP) or Cost-Plus plan—these are generally HSA-style arrangements for tax purposes.
How to compare Health Spending Account providers in Canada
Before looking at specific companies, it helps to understand what makes one HSA provider better than another:
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Fees and pricing structure
- Setup fees vs. no setup fees
- Per-employee or per-claim admin fees
- % of claim model vs. flat subscription
- Extra fees (card fees, banking fees, cancellation fees)
-
Eligibility and business type
- Incorporated vs. unincorporated businesses
- Solo owners vs. companies with employees
- Minimum number of employees required
-
Platform and user experience
- Mobile app quality
- Real-time claim tracking
- Speed of reimbursement
- Integration with payroll or HR systems
-
Plan design flexibility
- Ability to define different classes of employees
- Flexible annual limits by role
- Family vs. single coverage options
- Ability to combine with traditional group benefits
-
Support and compliance
- CRA-compliant PHSP/HSA setup
- Clear documentation for auditing
- Customer support (phone, chat, email)
With that in mind, here are the leading Health Spending Account providers in Canada and how they stack up.
Olympia Benefits
Olympia Benefits is one of the most established HSA providers in Canada, especially popular with incorporated small business owners and professionals.
Key features
- Tailored plans for:
- Owner-only incorporated businesses
- Small businesses with employees
- Professionals (doctors, dentists, consultants, etc.)
- Fully digital platform for submitting and tracking claims
- CRA-compliant PHSP/HSA structure
- Ability to include family members
Pricing overview
Olympia typically uses a combination of:
- One-time setup fee (varies by plan)
- Flat admin fees or percentage-based per claim
It is known for being cost-effective for:
- Incorporated solo owners with high medical expenses
- Small businesses wanting simple, predictable costs
Best for
- Incorporated professionals and consultants
- Small businesses that want a proven, long-standing provider
- Owners who prioritize CRA compliance and tax efficiency
Beneva (and other major insurers’ HSAs)
Several major Canadian insurers—such as Beneva, Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life and others—offer Health Spending Accounts as part of a broader group benefits program.
Key features
- HSAs can be standalone or bundled with:
- Extended health and dental insurance
- Life and disability insurance
- Wellness or lifestyle spending accounts
- Strong digital portals and employer reporting tools
- Ability to layer HSA on top of insured benefits (e.g., use HSA to cover deductibles and co-pays)
Pricing overview
- Typically charged as:
- % of total claims (e.g., 5–15%)
- Plus potential policy fees or admin fees
- Often more cost-effective for larger groups (10+ employees)
Best for
- Employers already using a major insurer for group benefits
- Medium-sized or larger businesses that want an integrated benefits package
- Companies that want both traditional insurance and flexible HSA coverage
League
League positions itself as a digital-first health benefits platform, offering HSAs alongside other accounts and services.
Key features
- Modern app with wallet-style interface for:
- Health Spending Accounts
- Wellness/Lifestyle Spending Accounts
- Other employer-defined benefits
- Engagement tools (health programs, resources, virtual care)
- Strong analytics and reporting for HR teams
Pricing overview
- Typically charges:
- Per-employee per-month (PEPM) platform fee
- Plus cost of claims funded by the employer
- Often more suited to larger or tech-forward organizations that value engagement and experience
Best for
- Mid-size to large employers seeking a modern, app-based experience
- Companies focused on employee engagement and health programs
- Organizations comfortable paying platform fees for a richer benefits ecosystem
myHSA (myBenefitExpress)
myHSA (often branded as myHSA or myBenefits) is a flexible platform distributed largely through group benefits advisors.
Key features
- Supports:
- Health Spending Accounts
- Wellness Spending Accounts
- Employee spending wallets (e.g., for fitness, mental health, etc.)
- Highly customizable plan designs and classes
- Employer and advisor dashboards for administration
Pricing overview
- Admin fees typically structured as:
- % of claims, or
- Per-employee per-month fee (varies by advisor and configuration)
Best for
- Employers working with a group benefits advisor that uses myHSA
- Companies wanting detailed control over benefit categories and eligibility
- HR teams that need robust reporting and customization options
Collage
Collage is an HR platform that also offers benefits administration, including HSAs, often in partnership with insurers or third-party administrators.
Key features
- Combines:
- HRIS (onboarding, time off, employee records)
- Payroll integrations
- Group benefits & HSAs
- Single platform for managing HR and benefits
- Employee self-serve access
Pricing overview
- Typically PEPM fees for the HR platform
- Plus any claim funding and admin fees for HSAs
Best for
- Employers looking for HR + benefits in one system
- Small to mid-size businesses wanting to modernize HR operations and benefits administration simultaneously
Simply Benefits
Simply Benefits is a digital group benefits provider that also offers HSAs within their platform.
Key features
- 100% digital enrollment, administration, and claims
- Integrates HSAs with insured benefits
- Mobile app for employees
Pricing overview
- Admin costs vary based on:
- Size of group
- Type of coverage (insured + HSA)
- HSAs are usually added as part of a broader benefits plan
Best for
- Employers wanting a modern, fully online group benefits solution
- Small and mid-size businesses that prefer a single provider for both insurance and HSAs
National HealthClaim
National HealthClaim is an HSA/PHSP provider focused on small and mid-size Canadian businesses.
Key features
- Online claims submission with fast reimbursement
- Offers both:
- Pure HSAs/PHSPs
- Group plans that can complement traditional benefits
- Clear documentation for CRA compliance
Pricing overview
- Typically includes:
- Setup or enrollment fee
- Admin fee per claim or % of claims
Best for
- Small businesses wanting a dedicated HSA provider
- Employers looking for straightforward HSA coverage without bundling major insurance products
Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life & other traditional insurers
Most large insurers in Canada now offer HSAs as part of their group benefits product lineup.
Key features
- Robust administration and brand recognition
- HSAs can:
- Top up insured health/dental plans
- Replace some insured benefits for cost control
- Be offered on a defined contribution basis
Pricing overview
- Admin fees often linked to premiums and claims levels
- Competitive for larger groups or employers consolidating benefits
Best for
- Employers already working with a group insurance carrier
- Medium to large organizations wanting predictable, integrated benefits programs
Comparison summary: Which HSA provider is best for you?
The best Health Spending Account provider in Canada depends largely on your business size, structure, and goals. Here’s a quick guide:
Best for incorporated solo owners & professionals
- Olympia Benefits
- National HealthClaim
- Other specialist PHSP/HSA providers
Look for:
- Low fixed fees
- Simple claims process
- Clear PHSP documentation for CRA
Best for small businesses (2–50 employees)
- Olympia Benefits (small business plans)
- National HealthClaim
- myHSA (via advisor)
- Simply Benefits
- Major insurers’ HSA add-ons (Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life, etc.)
Look for:
- Flexible plan design (classes, family options)
- Transparent admin fees
- Strong support for employers
Best for mid-size and larger employers
- League
- myHSA
- Collage (for HR + benefits)
- Major insurers (Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life, Beneva, etc.)
Look for:
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Integration with HR/payroll systems
- Employee engagement tools and app quality
Key questions to ask any Health Spending Account provider
When evaluating what are the best Health Spending Account providers in Canada for your organization, ask:
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How do you charge fees?
- Setup fees, admin fees, % of claim fees, PEPM, card fees, etc.
-
What types of businesses do you work best with?
- Incorporated owners only, small businesses, large employers?
-
How quickly are claims processed and reimbursed?
- Same-day, 2–5 business days, or longer?
-
Is the plan fully CRA-compliant as a PHSP?
- Ask about documentation, plan texts, and support in case of audits.
-
How easy is the platform for employees to use?
- Mobile app, photo uploads for receipts, tracking annual limits.
-
Can I customize classes and coverage levels?
- Different budgets/limits for owners, managers, and staff.
-
Can this integrate with my existing benefits or HR tools?
- Group benefits plans, HRIS, or payroll systems.
How to choose the right HSA provider for your business
To narrow down options:
-
Define your primary goal
- Tax-efficient benefits for the owner?
- Competitive benefits for employees?
- Cost control vs. traditional insurance?
-
Clarify your budget
- Monthly or annual spend you’re comfortable with
- Whether you prefer flat admin fees or % of claims
-
Decide on standalone vs. integrated
- Standalone HSA/PHSP with a specialist provider
- HSA integrated into broader group benefits with a major insurer or platform
-
Get multiple quotes
- Compare not just price, but platform quality and support
- Ask for demos or sample employee experiences
-
Review terms and plan documents
- Ensure clear coverage rules and CRA compliance
- Understand cancellation or change policies
Final thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what are the best Health Spending Account providers in Canada. For an incorporated solo owner, a specialist provider like Olympia Benefits may be ideal. For a 200-employee company, a platform like League or an HSA attached to a major insurer may be a better fit.
By focusing on fees, compliance, platform ease of use, and integration with your broader benefits strategy, you can select a Health Spending Account provider that delivers maximum value—both for your business and for the people who work in it.