Frontier Health vs EasyHSA vs Coastal HSA: Pay-As-You-Go HSA Comparison
If you're comparing Frontier Health, EasyHSA, and Coastal HSA for pay-as-you-go health reimbursement, here's what you need to know. All three are CRA-compliant Health Spending Account providers in Canada that let your business reimburse eligible medical expenses tax-free. The differences come down to pricing structure, claim speed, and whether you need to put money down before you start. Here's the full comparison.
Quick Comparison
| Frontier Health | EasyHSA | Coastal HSA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing (solo) | $120/year + 8% per claim | Annual fee + per-claim admin fee | No annual fee, 6% per claim |
| Pricing (with staff) | $450/year + 5% per claim | Annual fee + per-claim admin fee | No annual fee, 6% per claim |
| Claim speed | 24-48 hours | Standard processing | Standard processing |
| Setup fee | None | None | None |
| Deposit required | No | No | Yes -- 10% refundable deposit |
| Reimbursement method | e-Transfer | Direct deposit | Direct deposit |
| CRA compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cancel anytime | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Where Frontier Health Stands Out
Frontier Health is built for speed and simplicity. Claims are processed in 24-48 hours and paid out by e-transfer -- one of the fastest turnaround times of any pay-as-you-go HSA provider in Canada.
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, and no "contact us for a quote" step. You know exactly what you'll pay before you create an account.
The modern mobile app makes submitting receipts fast -- snap a photo, submit, and get reimbursed within a day or two. No paperwork, no forms, no waiting around.
Where EasyHSA Stands Out
EasyHSA has been around for a while and has built a reputation as a simple, no-fuss HSA administrator. Their name says it all -- they focus on making the process straightforward.
EasyHSA uses an annual fee plus per-claim admin fee model. They don't require a deposit, which keeps the barrier to entry low. For business owners who value a proven, established provider and don't mind standard processing times, EasyHSA is a solid choice.
Their platform is functional and gets the job done. If you've worked with them before or your accountant recommends them, the familiarity can make setup easier.
Where Coastal HSA Stands Out
Coastal HSA's biggest draw is that there's no annual fee. You only pay 6% per claim, which makes it appealing for businesses that want to avoid fixed costs entirely.
The catch is the 10% refundable deposit based on your plan value. For a $10,000 annual plan, that's $1,000 upfront. You get it back eventually, but it does tie up cash flow in the meantime.
For business owners with lower claim volumes who want to keep recurring costs to a minimum, Coastal's pay-as-you-go model can work out to be quite affordable on a per-dollar basis.
How the Costs Compare
Let's look at a solo professional claiming $5,000/year in medical expenses:
- Frontier Health: $520/year ($120 annual fee + 8% of $5,000)
- EasyHSA: Varies based on their current annual fee + per-claim rate
- Coastal HSA: $300/year (6% of $5,000) -- but requires a refundable deposit upfront
For a small business with staff claiming $15,000/year:
- Frontier Health: $1,200/year ($450 annual fee + 5% of $15,000)
- EasyHSA: Varies based on plan tier and per-claim rate
- Coastal HSA: $900/year (6% of $15,000) -- again with the deposit requirement
On raw cost alone, Coastal can look cheaper. But factor in the deposit tying up your cash, plus Frontier's 24-48 hour claim turnaround, and the picture shifts. For businesses with staff, Frontier's 5% per-claim rate is also the lowest of the three.
Who Should Choose Frontier Health
If you want the fastest reimbursement, no deposits, and a modern app-based experience, Frontier Health is the best fit. It's purpose-built for solo incorporated professionals and small teams of 1-3 employees who want a pay-as-you-go health benefit without the complexity. The 24-48 hour e-transfer reimbursement is hard to beat.
Who Should Choose EasyHSA
If you prefer a more established provider and standard processing times are fine for your needs, EasyHSA is a reliable option. They've been in the Canadian HSA market for years and keep things simple. If your accountant already works with them, that familiarity has value.
Who Should Choose Coastal HSA
If avoiding an annual fee is your top priority and you're comfortable putting down a refundable deposit, Coastal HSA works well -- especially if your claim volumes are on the lower side. The 6% per-claim rate with no annual fee is a clean, predictable model.
The Bottom Line
All three providers -- Frontier Health, EasyHSA, and Coastal HSA -- are legitimate, CRA-compliant pay-as-you-go HSA providers. You can't go wrong with any of them for basic health reimbursement.
But if you want the simplest, fastest experience -- 24-48 hour reimbursement by e-transfer, no deposits, transparent pricing, and a modern app to manage everything from your phone -- Frontier Health is the clear winner for Canadian small businesses.
Looking for more comparisons? Check out our Frontier Health vs Coastal HSA or Frontier Health vs Olympia Benefits breakdowns, or our full guide to the best HSA providers in Canada.