A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a great way to help you control your healthcare costs. It works in conjunction with a qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) to combine tax-free savings earmarked for qualified medical expenses. An HSA allows you to set aside money to pay for higher deductibles associated with a lower monthly premium HDHP. The money you save in monthly insurance premiums is reserved for eligible medical expenses you incur in the future. Eligible expenses include things like co-pays and deductibles, prescriptions, vision expenses, dental care, therapy and medical supplies. 

• Balances roll over from year to year and earn interest along the way. 
• Portable – you keep it even after you leave employment. 
• Tax advantages – invest money in mutual funds to grow your tax savings for either future healthcare costs or retirement. 
• Pay for expenses with a benefits debit card that gives you immediate access to your money at the time of purchase. 
• Expenses also can be reimbursed through our online portal, online bill pay directly to your provider or submitting a distribution request form. 
• Receipts are not required for reimbursement but be sure to save them for tax purposes. 

• You must be enrolled in a qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). 
• You cannot be enrolled in Tricare or Medicare or covered under your spouse’s traditional (non-HDHP) health care plan. 
• You cannot participate in a general purpose Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement. 
• Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Accounts are permitted (dental and vision expenses only). 
• You cannot participate if your spouse has a general purpose FSA or HRA at their place of employment. 
• You cannot participate if you are being claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return. 

Benefits Card 

The First Financial Benefits Card is available to all employees that participate in a Health Savings Account. The Benefits Card gives you immediate access to your money at the point of purchase. Cards are available for participating employees, their spouse and any eligible dependents who are at least 18 years old. 

View Your Account Details Online 

Sign up to view your account balance, find tax forms and check claims status on our secure website. Log in at www.ffga.com. After you log in, you may sign up to have reimbursements directly deposited to your bank account. View the Portal Log-in Guide now! 

FF Mobile Account App 

With the FF Mobile Account App, you can submit claims, view account balance and history, check claims status, view alerts, upload receipts and documentation and more! The FF Mobile Account App is available for Apple® and Android™ devices on either the App StoreSM or Google Play Store™. View the FF Mobile Account App User Guide and Quick Reference Guide. 

HSA Store 

First Financial has partnered with the HSA Store to bring you an easy-to-use online store to better understand and manager your account. You can shop for eligible medical items like bandages and contact solution, browse for products and services using the Eligibility List and visit the Learning Center to find answers to commonly asked questions. Visit the store at http://www.ffga.com/individuals/#stores for more details and special deals. 

Harris County Department of Education
Benefits Office
6300 Irvington Blvd.
Houston, TX 77022
Email: benefits@hcde-texas.org
Phone: 713-696-8284 

Erika Ibarra
HCDE Benefits Coordinator
Email: erika.ibarra@hcde-texas.org

First Financial Group of America
Andrew Sipp, Sr. Account Manager 

Email: Andrew.sipp@ffga.com
Phone: 713-502-4616