Frontier Health vs Coastal HSA: Which HSA Provider Is Right for You?
Frontier Health and Coastal HSA are both pay-per-claim Health Spending Account providers in Canada with no setup fees. The main differences: Frontier Health offers 24-48 hour reimbursement and no deposit requirement, while Coastal HSA requires a 15% refundable deposit and has standard processing times. Both are CRA-compliant and cover all eligible expenses. Here's the full comparison.
Quick Comparison
| Frontier Health | Coastal HSA | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (solo) | $120/year + 8% per claim | No annual fee, ~7% per claim |
| Pricing (with staff) | $450/year + 5% per claim | No annual fee, ~7% per claim |
| Claim speed | 24-48 hours | Standard processing |
| Setup fee | None | None |
| Deposit required | No | Yes -- 15% refundable deposit |
| CRA compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Cancel anytime | Yes | Yes |
Where Frontier Health Stands Out
Frontier Health is built for speed and simplicity. Claims are processed in 24-48 hours and paid by e-transfer -- one of the fastest turnaround times in the Canadian HSA market.
Pricing is transparent before you sign up. Solo plan: $120/year + 8% per claim. Staff plan: $450/year + 5% per claim. No deposits, no hidden charges, no "contact us for a quote" step.
Frontier also has a modern mobile app for submitting receipts and managing your account from your phone.
Where Coastal HSA Stands Out
Coastal HSA has no annual fee and no setup fee, which is appealing if you want to avoid fixed costs. Their pay-per-claim model means you only pay when a claim is approved.
However, Coastal does require a 15% refundable deposit based on your total plan value. For a $20,000 annual plan, that means $3,000 upfront. You get it back eventually, but it ties up cash.
Coastal has built a solid reputation as a straightforward HSA administrator. If avoiding annual fees is your top priority, it's worth a look.
How the Costs Compare
At first glance, Coastal's lack of an annual fee looks like a win. But the full picture matters.
For a solo professional claiming $5,000/year, Frontier's total cost is $520 ($120 + 8%). Coastal's is around $350 (7%) -- but you also need to put down a refundable deposit.
For a business with staff claiming $15,000/year, Frontier's total cost is $1,200 ($450 + 5%). Coastal's is around $1,050 (7%) -- again with the deposit.
Where Frontier pulls ahead is the lower 5% staff rate, 24-48 hour claims, and no deposit. For businesses that value speed and cash flow, that trade-off is worth it.
Who Should Choose Frontier Health
If you want fast reimbursement, transparent pricing, and a modern app-based experience, Frontier Health is the better fit. It's built for solo incorporated professionals and small teams of 1-3 employees who want simplicity without giving up speed. No deposits, no long waits, no surprises.
Who Should Choose Coastal HSA
If avoiding an annual fee is your main priority and you're comfortable with a refundable deposit, Coastal HSA is a solid option. It's a reputable provider with a clean pay-per-claim model.
The Bottom Line
Both Frontier Health and Coastal HSA are legitimate, CRA-compliant providers. But if you value fast claims, no deposits, and a modern platform you can manage from your phone, Frontier Health gives you more for your money.
Looking for more comparisons? Check out our Frontier Health vs Olympia Benefits breakdown or our full guide to the best HSA providers in Canada.
Related Reading
- Frontier Health vs EasyHSA vs Coastal HSA -- Three-way provider comparison