Can I buy vitamins with my HSA card?

Asked by: Scot Bergstrom  |  Last update: May 13, 2025
Score: 5/5 (49 votes)

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 use my HSA card to buy vitamins?

For a vitamin or supplement to be considered eligible, it must be prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat a diagnosed medical condition. This means that simply purchasing vitamins for general health maintenance purposes would not qualify for HSA reimbursement.

What can I not use my HSA card to buy?

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. You also usually can't use HSA money to pay for health insurance premiums unless you meet certain criteria.

Can I use my HSA card for normal purchases?

Can You Use HSA for Non-Medical Expenses? It's your money, so using your HSA for non-medical expenses is an option.

What are HSA eligible purchases?

The following 18 items are examples of now-qualified medical expenses:
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Acne treatments.
  • Allergy medications.
  • Aspirin.
  • Cold and cough medicines.
  • COVID-19 tests.
  • Eye drops.
  • Heartburn medications.

Can You Buy Vitamins With A Health Savings Account? - AssetsandOpportunity.org

36 related questions found

What happens if I use my HSA 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.

Are vitamins HSA eligible in 2024?

Vitamins and supplements generally aren't eligible if they're used to maintain general health. If you have a letter from your doctor saying a vitamin or supplement is needed to treat a condition, such as a vitamin deficiency, then the expense may qualify. Prenatal vitamins are HSA-eligible expenses.

How does IRS know what you spend HSA on?

Verification of expenses is not required for HSAs. However, total withdrawals from your HSA are reported to the IRS on Form 1099-SA. You are responsible for reporting qualified and non-qualified withdrawals when completing your taxes.

Can I buy shampoo with HSA?

Over-the-counter toiletries or personal hygiene items which may include, but are not limited to shampoo, toothpaste, conditioners, hand creams, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, dental floss, body powders, hair gels/sprays, make-up, nail polish accessories, soap, mouthwash, etc., are not reimbursable.

What happens if I accidentally use my HSA card for non-medical expenses?

You can repay the incorrect distribution before filing your federal taxes for that tax year. However, if you do not correct the mistake, the unqualified amount will be subject to income tax, and you may also face an additional 20% tax penalty.

Can I buy deodorant with HSA?

Deodorant reimbursement is not eligible 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).

Can HSA pay 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.

What happens if you buy ineligible items with HSA?

An HSA allows you to withdraw funds for any reason. However, you would need to pay ordinary tax and an additional penalty of 20% on any funds that are withdrawn for an ineligible expense.

Can you buy Tylenol with HSA?

Antacids such as Tums or Prilosec are eligible OTC items when accompanied by a prescription from a doctor. Analgesics (e.g. Advil, Aspirin, Tylenol) are eligible with a prescription from a doctor.

Are tampons HSA eligible?

With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”

Can I buy bandaids with HSA?

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).

Can I use HSA for groceries?

As mentioned earlier, using HSA funds directly for groceries is not allowed under current IRS regulations. This can be seen as a downside for individuals looking to use their HSA money for day-to-day expenses.

What skincare can I use my HSA for?

Eligible products may include sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, acne cleansers and medicated ointments, eczema treatments, scar and wound care products, and anti-itch creams. Basic skincare and cosmetic treatments are typically not covered.

Are massages HSA eligible?

Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.

What triggers an HSA audit?

Does HSA spending trigger an audit? The IRS doesn't monitor how you spend your HSA funds throughout the year, but that doesn't mean they won't ask for proof that your expenses were eligible. And if your tax return contains unrelated IRS audit red flags, your risk for an HSA audit could increase.

Are vitamins HSA eligible?

In general, vitamins are not considered an HSA eligible expense unless they are prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition. For example, if your doctor prescribes prenatal vitamins during pregnancy or recommends vitamin D supplements to treat a deficiency, those could be eligible expenses under your HSA.

What is the 12 month rule for HSA?

It means you must remain eligible for the HSA until December 31 of the following year. The only exceptions are death or disability. If you violate the testing period requirement, your ineligible contributions become taxable income.

Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.

At what age can you no longer have an HSA?

When you turn 65 and begin Medicare coverage, you lose HSA eligibility on the first day of that month. For example, if your birthday is April 19, you are no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA as of April 1.

Can you use HSA for dental?

Your HSA also covers expenses for standard dental cleanings and dental check-ups. One thing to keep in mind is that some of these procedures may have a co-payment, so it's important that you check with your dental insurance provider to find out exactly what you'll have to pay out of pocket.