Can FSA be used for mental health?
Asked by: Oleta Grimes IV | Last update: July 19, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (44 votes)
What can an FSA not be used for?
You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums. You can spend FSA funds on prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter medicines with a doctor's prescription.
Can I use FSA for gym membership?
Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.
Is behavioral therapy FSA eligible?
FSAs can cover behavioral therapy when it is used to treat specific conditions, such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Children and adults with autism may benefit from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, which is often eligible for FSA reimbursement.
Does mental health qualify for HSA?
Yes. You can use an HSA to cover some mental health expenses, including therapy to treat a diagnosed mental condition. However, therapy that isn't specifically designed for medical or mental health needs — like marriage or family counseling — often won't qualify for HSA coverage.
Use your FSA and HSA! #TherapistThursday
Can I use FSA for mental health counseling?
You can use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to offset the cost of mental healthcare by saving money on taxes. Most mental health services — like counseling, prescription-only medications, and treatment for substance use disorder — can be paid for with FSA and HSA tax-free funds.
What are FSA eligible expenses?
Allowed expenses include insurance copayments and deductibles, qualified prescription drugs, insulin, and medical devices. You decide how much to put in an FSA, up to a limit set by your employer. You aren't taxed on this money.
Can I use FSA for massage?
Pay with Your FSA or HSA: Once you have the prescription, you can pay for your massage therapy directly with your FSA or HSA debit card. If your provider doesn't accept these cards, you can pay out of pocket and submit a claim for reimbursement.
Is toilet paper FSA eligible?
Here are examples of items and expenses that are not FSA-eligible for 2024: General health items: toiletries like toothpaste, toilet paper, or shampoo, cosmetic products, vitamins and supplements (without a prescription) Non-medical equipment: car seats, strollers, non-medical exercise equipment.
Is an HSA or FSA better?
Bottom line: Both HSAs and FSAs provide financial benefits for managing health care expenses. HSAs offer more flexibility and long-term growth potential, making them a valuable tool for future financial planning. Learn about HSA options from Aetna.
Is Planet fitness FSA eligible?
Can you use flexible spending account (FSA) funds to pay for a gym membership or exercise classes? Typically, no. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually doesn't allow funds from an FSA to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms.
Can you use FSA for vitamins?
Are vitamins FSA/HSA eligible? You want to be careful when trying to buy vitamins with your FSA or HSA. They are not always deemed a qualified expense. If your vitamins are not prescribed by a healthcare professional or used to treat a specific condition, your purchase most likely won't be FSA or HSA eligible.
What are major disadvantages of FSA?
While FSAs offer several benefits, they also have limitations. The 'use-it-or-lose-it' rule can lead to the loss of unspent funds. Additionally, there are restrictions regarding eligible expenses and contribution limits, which are determined by the IRS and can change annually.
Are tampons FSA eligible?
Feminine hygiene products: Pads, liners, and tampons all qualify as FSA-eligible expenses. The end of the year is a good chance to stock up if you need to. Pain relievers: Over-the-counter pain medications such as Aleve, Tylenol, and generic versions of the drugs are available for purchase through FSA funds.
Where does the unused FSA money go?
For employees, the main downside to an FSA is the use-it-or-lose-it rule. If the employee fails to incur enough qualified expenses to drain his or her FSA each year, any leftover balance generally reverts back to the employer.
Is Tylenol FSA eligible?
Can I buy OTC medicine such as Tylenol and Tums with my FSA or HSA? Yes. You can buy OTC medicine such as Tylenol and Tums with your FSA or HSA.
Can you get deodorant on FSA?
For example, daily care products, like Vaseline, toothpaste, and deodorant, are not FSA-eligible expenses.
Can I use FSA for dental?
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow employees to make tax-free contributions for various medical or dental expenses. Distributions are free, provided they are used for qualified medical expenses. In most circumstances, you can use your FSA for non-cosmetic dental procedures.
Can I use my FSA for therapy?
Is therapy covered by an FSA? Yes, FSAs generally do include therapy as an eligible expense. But certain factors determine this, such as the type of therapy, type of provider, and medical necessity considerations. Every FSA plan can vary in terms of coverage, so it's best to check the details of your specific plan.
Can I use my FSA for a gym membership?
So, can you use your HSA or FSA to pay for gym memberships or health club dues? The short answer is yes, but you need a Letter of Medical Necessity.
Can I use FSA for glasses?
You can use your FSA funds for eye exams and prescription glasses. You can also use them for prescription contact lenses. And prescription sunglasses are FSA-eligible, too.
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).
Are air purifiers FSA eligible?
Air purifiers are generally not eligible for reimbursement. An air purifier may be eligible for FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) only if you are using it to relieve or alleviate a specific medical condition and you would not otherwise have purchased it.
Does FSA verify receipts?
Please save your receipts and other supporting documentation related to your HC FSA expenses and claims. The IRS may request itemized receipts to verify the eligibility of your expenses. Credit card receipts, canceled checks, and balance forward statements do not meet the requirements for acceptable documentation.