Can I use HSA for over the counter drugs?

Asked by: Lafayette Kautzer PhD  |  Last update: December 30, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (39 votes)

Thanks to the CARES Act, you can use your HSA funds to buy over-the-counter medications without a prescription. Prior to the passage of the act, these items were only eligible for reimbursement with a prescription.

Can I use my HSA to buy over-the-counter medication?

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.

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 I buy ibuprofen with my HSA?

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

Can I use HSA card for vitamins?

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.

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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.

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 you buy toilet paper with HSA?

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). What are toiletries?

Can I use my HSA for cold sore medicine?

Cold sore treatment is an eligible over-the-counter (OTC) medicine with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Are pain killers HSA eligible?

Pain relief medications

Muscle soreness. Sprains. There are many reasons to need pain relievers. There are two common types of over-the-counter pain medications: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both of which are now among the eligible expenses available from an HSA and FSA.

Can you buy caffeine pills with HSA?

Caffeine pills 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).

What medications are covered by HSA?

Common Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines
  • Acid controllers.
  • Acne medicine.
  • Aids for indigestion.
  • Allergy and sinus medicine.
  • Anti-diarrheal medicine.
  • Baby rash ointment.
  • Cold and flu medicine.
  • Eye drops*

Can I use HSA card at CVS?

CVS. Shop an assortment of qualified items for purchase with your HSA or FSA card.

Can I buy shampoo with HSA?

While some exceptions may vary, shampoo is generally 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).

Can I buy cough drops with HSA?

Cough drops 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).

How do I spend my HSA money?

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 happens if you use your HSA card for something else?

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.

Can I use my HSA to buy Nyquil?

Cold medicine is an eligible over-the-counter (OTC) drug with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can I buy tampons with HSA?

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…”

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 I buy toothpaste with my HSA card?

Toothpaste: HSA Eligibility

Toothpaste is 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). What is toothpaste?

Can toothbrush go on HSA?

While it seems like they would fit under the dental care umbrella, general self-care items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and floss are not FSA or HSA eligible. Same goes for specialized or medicated toothpastes. Here's a short (and not exhaustive list) of items that are not eligible for reimbursement: Braces wax.

Can you use your HSA card like a credit card?

Your HSA will provide you with a debit card to spend your HSA funds. Instead, you should use a rewards credit card for your medical expenses and collect rewards.

Does HSA money expire?

Your HSA contributions don't expire. The money stays in the HSA until you use it. expenses for your spouse and dependents, even if your high deductible health plan doesn't cover them. ∎ HSA doesn't go away if job changes.

Can you use 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.