Can I buy groceries with my HSA card?

Asked by: Salvador Turcotte  |  Last update: December 12, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (42 votes)

No, you can't use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) for straight food purchases like meat, produce and dairy. But you can use them for some nutrition-related products and services. To review, tax-advantaged accounts have regulatory restrictions on eligible products and services.

Can you use your HSA card to pay for anything?

So what can you buy with your FSA or HSA money? You can use it to pay for common health care expenses such as copayments, prescription medications and medical supplies. But many other approved products and services are eligible, too. They're called qualified medical expenses.

Can I use HSA for shopping?

Using Your HSA Funds

You can use it just like a regular debit card for transactions in-store, online, at the doctor, and at other medical merchants. Digital Wallet - Use your card through your preferred mobile wallet: Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay™.

What can I not use my HSA card to buy?

Examples of no-nos from the IRS include vacations and vitamins. Other items that aren't eligible include maternity clothes, funeral costs, child care for healthy babies, toiletries, over-the-counter medicine, swimming lessons and elective cosmetic procedures.

Can I use my HSA at Costco?

Costco accepts a limited number of cards at the main checkout lanes, but they'll let you pay for eligible items with your HSA/FSA card at the Pharmacy or Optical counters. So to use your FSA or HSA cards at Costco, just bypass the regular checkout lines and visit the Pharmacy or Optical department instead.

Where can you use your HSA debit card?

19 related questions found

Can you use HSA card at Walmart?

Does Walmart.com accept FSA or HSA cards? If you are looking to use your FSA or HSA card online or in-store on FSA-eligible product, you will likely have a hard time depending on your card issuer. That is because Walmart.com does not accept FSA or HSA cards at this time. This is listed in their FSA & HSA Shop FAQ.

Is my gym membership HSA eligible?

General fitness expenses are not eligible but if your doctor or nurse specifically gives you an exercise regimen to carry out, the costs of the gym can be taken care of as part of your plan.

Can I buy toilet paper with my HSA card?

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

Is Apple Watch HSA eligible?

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 you buy toothpaste with HSA?

You can't use your HSA for common items such as toothpaste, dental floss, or over-the-counter mouthwash. Cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, also aren't covered.

What happens if you swipe HSA card for groceries?

If you use your HSA for an expense other than eligible medical expenses you can subject yourself to significant IRS penalties. Inappropriate use of your HSA funds may also leave you without money to pay for your eligible medical expenses in the future.

What if I accidentally used my HSA card?

If you realize you've made a mistake and want to correct it, simply return the money to your HSA and you will avoid the additional penalty. If you do not return the money to your HSA, it will be counted as taxable income, and even worse, you'll have to pay a 20% penalty.

How do I withdraw money from my HSA ATM?

To pay using a PIN (fee per PIN transaction may apply†), swipe your card, select debit on the keypad, and enter your PIN. To withdraw HSA funds from an ATM (fee per ATM withdrawal may apply†), be sure to select the “checking” option (not savings) when asked the type of account you are withdrawing from.

Can I withdraw my HSA as cash?

You can withdraw funds from your HSA anytime. But keep in mind that if you use HSA funds for any reason other than to pay for a qualified medical expense, those funds will be taxed as ordinary income, and the IRS will impose a 20% penalty.

Can you use your HSA at an ATM?

Can I use my HSA Bank Health Benefit Debit Card at an ATM? You can use your HSA card at an ATM to reimburse yourself for eligible expenses paid out-of-pocket. (A transaction fee may apply. See your HSA Bank Fee and Interest Rate Schedule.)

Will my HSA card work at a gas station?

Fuel, gasoline for medical care reimbursement is eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can you use HSA at Sephora?

No, Sephora does not accept FSA or HSA cards in-store or online at Sephora.com. However, if you happened to buy FSA eligible sunscreen from Sephora, save your receipt and reimburse yourself!

Can you use HSA to buy sunscreen?

Sunscreen: HSA Eligibility. Sunscreen is 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 I use my HSA to pay for a Fitbit?

A fitness tracker device, such as a Fitbit, is only eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Is Tylenol HSA eligible?

Acetaminophen, the primary ingredient found in Tylenol, is an eligible OTC item. Acetaminophen reimbursement is eligible with an FSA account, HSA or HRA. Acne Medicine such as Clean and Clear, Neutrogena, Proactiv, etc., is eligible.

Can HSA be used for electric toothbrush?

Electric 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 you use HSA for vitamins and supplements?

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 HSA pay for over the counter drugs?

Yes. You can buy OTC medicine like Tylenol and Tums with your FSA or HSA. But this hasn't always been the case. OTC drugs did not count as a qualified medical expense for HSAs unless you had a prescription.

Can you use HSA to pay for Botox?

Botox: HSA Eligibility

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

Why is my HSA card being declined?

The decline may be due to the following reasons: Your purchase wasn't considered a qualified medical expense under your HSA plan. Your HSA balance was too low to cover the transaction.