Are tampons a qualified medical expense?

Asked by: Dr. Ronaldo Bradtke  |  Last update: October 26, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (21 votes)

Yes! Thanks to the CARES Act, tampons are now considered a “medical expense.” That means you can use pre-tax income to pay for them through your HSA. More questions about tampons?

Can I write off tampons on taxes?

Starting in 2020, the federal government considers menstrual products as a qualified medical expense. And since 2016, twenty-three states exempted these products from state sales taxes, eliminating the so-called “tampon-tax."

Are tampons FSA or HSA-eligible?

Tampons are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Tampons are not eligible with a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Are tampons HSA-eligible items?

This amendment to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 says that money spent on menstrual products—defined as tampons, pads, liners, cups, sponges, or similar products used for menstruation—counts as expenses incurred for medical care, meaning you can use funds in your HSA account or FSA to purchase these essentials.

Are tampons an FSA eligible item?

Feminine hygiene products: Pads, liners, and tampons all qualify as FSA-eligible expenses.

Qualified Medical Expense (Part 2 of 6) — FAIRHealthConsumer.org

22 related questions found

What feminine products are FSA eligible?

1. Menstrual products
  • Liners.
  • Menstrual cups (such as the DivaCup)
  • Menstrual cup cleansers (such as DivaWash)
  • Pads.
  • Period underwear (has higher capacity than a tampon)
  • Tampons.

Can I use my FSA for feminine hygiene products?

Feminine hygiene products are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Do condoms count for HSA?

Condoms are eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA). They are not eligible for reimbursement with dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA).

Can you use HSA on condoms?

You can use your FSA or HSA funds to pay for birth control pills and condoms. You can also use them for erectile dysfunction (ED) medications like Viagra®.

Can I purchase toothbrush with HSA?

Toothbrushes are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) because they are general health products.

How do I get reimbursed for menstrual products?

PayFlex accountholders with debit cards can use their card to purchase period products from drugstores like CVS or they can purchase the items and submit the receipt for reimbursement. Employers may offer an FSA and an HSA for you to enroll in. Or you can open an HSA on your own — like the PayFlex Individual HSA.

Are toothbrushes FSA eligible?

Toothbrushes are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) because they are general health products.

Can I buy bandaids with FSA?

Bandages are over-the-counter (OTC) items that are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

What does the IRS consider qualified medical expenses?

Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for the purpose of affecting any part or function of the body. These expenses include payments for legal medical services rendered by physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical practitioners.

What states exempt tampon tax?

California – In June 2019, California did not include a tax on period products in their two year budget. Two years later California passed AB 150 to make period products tax exempt permanently.

Is a gym membership tax deductible?

No, gym memberships are not deductible as a medical expense. While it is true that physical activity is beneficial for overall health, membership in a gym is not considered to be a medical expense, at least according to the IRS.

Can I use HSA for gym membership?

Physical therapy is an approved medical expense. Can I use my HSA for a gym membership? Typically no. Unless you have a letter from your doctor stating that the membership is necessary to treat an injury or underlying health condition, such as obesity, a gym membership isn't a qualifying medical expense.

Can you use HSA for Apple Watch?

Unfortunately the answer to this question is usually no. This is because according to the IRS, fitness trackers are used to promote what the IRS terms “general health”. Expenses under this general health definition are not considered HSA eligible expenses.

Can I use HSA for massage?

Massages with a doctor's note of necessity

In certain cases, the massage is deemed medically necessary, and can be classified as a qualified medical expense. In a case like this, accountholders can use their HSA to pay for the massage.

What disqualifies you from having an HSA?

If you enroll in Social Security you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, which will disqualify you from contributing to an HSA. You can delay enrollment in Medicare Part A only if you delay taking Social Security. You can delay taking Social Security up until age 70 and one half years old.

Are vitamins HSA eligible items?

According to the IRS, you cannot use your HSA to pay for vitamins or supplements that are taken for general health. However, you can use your HSA to pay for vitamins or supplements that have been recommended by a health professional to treat or prevent a specific condition.

Can I buy vitamins with HSA?

With this IRS definition in mind, while daily multivitamins are not FSA/HSA eligible, there are some types of vitamins that are eligible with consumer-directed healthcare accounts and others that may be eligible with proper documentation from a physician.

Is a bathroom scale FSA eligible?

Blood pressure monitors, thermometers and pulse oximeters are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). A weight scale is eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity.

Is melatonin HSA eligible?

Melatonin is not eligible with a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA). What is melatonin? Melatonin is a hormone in your body associated with sleep. During the day, less melatonin is produced and during the night, more melatonin is produced.

Can you buy a bathroom scale with FSA?

A scale for food or weight with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).