In today's segment about HSAs, one important detail was omitted: it's a federally-based program, and as such, no funds from the account can be used for the health expenses of unmarried partners, regardless of gender mix, or even for the married partners in same-sex couples in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, or New Hampshire (with Maine awaiting the outcome of a referendum on its legislature's marraige equality bill).

Because the federal government does not recognize such marriages, an employee's same-sex spouse cannot use the funds. And unless any children of the relationship are biologically related to the employee, or legally adopted, the funds cannot be used for their care, either.