have to use your employer’s HSA provider. I had similar experience as you, but my employer provider allowed us to make investment choices among a select group of funds. Not bad, but still charged a fee.

Then I retired and learned you can open an HSA wherever you like, and contribute more if eligible, or just transfer your balances from the old custodian to the new custodian.

I opened an HSA at Fidelity and did just that. Now I can invest in whatever I like and make withdrawals whenever I want to. Note, there is nothing magical about getting permission for withdrawals - you just have to keep good records supporting the eligibility of the expense, but only if you ever get audited.

One more cool thing about HSA: there is no time limit on when you can withdraw the expense reimbursement. Thus, (I do this) I contribute the max every year, invest well, and never take money out so as to increase the investment income. I pay for any eligible medical expenses out of pocket, then keep a file of the receipts. At any time in the future that I need free, tax free cash, I’ll be able to tally up those receipts and withdraw the funds to use for whatever cash emergency arises. In the meantime, the account continues to grow, tax free. It truly is the best retirement deal out there.