HSA last month rule and changing a job in testing period

[v123456l]

Hi all,

Last year (2020) I and my wife were eligible for all year HSA contribution by using last month rule. That means we need to maintain a Highly Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) until Dec 31st 2021. I'm going to change a job soon and I have few questions:

1) If I understand correctly last moth rule requires maintaining HDHP plan for all year until Dec 31, but is there any restrictions on how many HDHP plans I can have throughout a year ? i.e. if I'd have 2 plans from old and new employers, in fact it would be 2 different plans but they are both HDHP.

2) I will have a gap in my coverage, I haven't found an option to purchase short term HDHP so I'm wondering if I can use a COBRA for that ? i.e. use COBRA to fill the gap period between 2 insurances only. AFAIK COBRA provides the same coverage like insurance plan from employer, so can COBRA be treated as HDHP in this case ?

Thanks in advance

[Mike9241]

there is no limit to the number of HDHP you can be covered by in a year.

you can use COBRA coverage but the policy must be a HDHP - minimum annual deductible of $2800 and maximum annual deductible/out-of-pocket $14000 

High deductible health plan (HDHP). An HDHP has:
• A higher annual deductible than typical health plans,
and
• A maximum limit on the sum of the annual deductible
and out-of-pocket medical expenses that you must
pay for covered expenses. Out-of-pocket expenses
include copayments and other amounts, but don’t include premiums.
An HDHP may provide preventive care benefits without
a deductible or with a deductible less than the minimum
annual deductible. Preventive care includes, but isn’t limited to, the following.
1. Periodic health evaluations, including tests and diagnostic procedures ordered in connection with routine
examinations, such as annual physicals.
2. Routine prenatal and well-child care.
3. Child and adult immunizations.
4. Tobacco cessation programs.
5. Obesity weight-loss programs.

6. Screening services. This includes screening services
for the following.
a. Cancer.
b. Heart and vascular diseases.
c. Infectious diseases.
d. Mental health conditions.
e. Substance abuse.
f. Metabolic, nutritional, and endocrine conditions.
g. Musculoskeletal disorders.
h. Obstetric and gynecological conditions.
i. Pediatric conditions.
j. Vision and hearing disorders.