Frontier HSA vs Coastal HSA

Comparing Frontier HSA and Coastal HSA

Both Frontier and Coastal HSA offer pay-as-you-go Health Spending Accounts with no annual fee. Here's how they compare on the things that actually matter.

Pricing

Both providers charge $0/year with a percentage-based claim fee:

• Coastal: $50 onboarding fee + 6% of claims
• Frontier: $0 setup + 8% of claims

On a $3,000/year claim total, Coastal costs $50 + $180 = $230 in year one ($180 after). Frontier costs $240. The difference is small, and Frontier has no upfront cost.

Reimbursement Speed

This is where the experience differs most:

• Frontier: Same-day reimbursement via EFT, typically within 24 hours
• Coastal: 2-3 business days

If you submit claims regularly, faster reimbursement adds up to a noticeably better experience.

Claims Experience

Frontier is built around a modern mobile-first experience:

• Snap a photo of your receipt and submit in under a minute
• Real-time claim status tracking
• Support when you need it

Who Each Provider Is Best For

Coastal may be a better fit if your top priority is the lowest possible claim fee and you don't mind waiting a few days for reimbursement.

Frontier may be a better fit if you value fast reimbursement, a clean mobile experience, and responsive support — and the 2% fee difference isn't a dealbreaker.

Switching From Coastal to Frontier

If you want to switch, it's simple: sign up with Frontier, cancel with Coastal. Your new claims go through Frontier immediately. Past claims stay with your old provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coastal HSA a good provider?

Coastal is a legitimate HSA provider that processes claims for Canadian businesses. They offer competitive pricing with a lower claim fee than Frontier.

Why is Frontier more expensive than Coastal?

Frontier's 8% claim fee covers same-day EFT reimbursement, a modern claims experience, and responsive support. Whether the 2% difference is worth it depends on what you value most.

Do both providers meet CRA requirements?

Both Frontier and Coastal operate as Private Health Services Plans (PHSPs) under CRA rules. Consult your accountant if you have specific compliance questions about any provider.