Can I use HSA to pay for physical therapy?

Asked by: Dr. Tommie Nicolas  |  Last update: December 3, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (23 votes)

Yes, you can.
Since physical therapy services, like the ones provided at Natural Fit Therapy, fall under a medical expense that treats structures and functions of the body, you are able to use your HSA funds to pay for treatment from a physical therapist for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents.

Is physical therapy covered by an HSA?

Physical Therapy (PT) is eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Can I use HSA for any medical expense?

Although many medical expenses are eligible for payment or reimbursement, there are some that don't qualify. Generally, you can't use your HSA to pay for expenses that don't meaningfully promote the proper function of the body or prevent or treat illness or disease.

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.

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.

Use your FSA and HSA! #TherapistThursday

15 related questions found

Can I buy a Fitbit with HSA money?

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 peloton HSA eligible?

Can I buy a Peloton bike with my HSA? Can I use my HSA for a gym membership? Treadmills, gym memberships, and peloton bikes are not eligible HSA or FSA expenses. However, if you have a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor that requires you to exercise, you might be able to use HSA or FSA funds for those.

What happens if you accidentally pay for groceries with 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.

What happens if you use HSA for non approved items?

How to fix HSA card mistakes. Unfortunately, you can't just let mistakes like this slide. You can be charged a 20% penalty if you use your HSA funds to pay for a non-qualified medical expense, which would have been $70 in my case (not to mention traditional income taxes would apply, too).

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.

Can I use HSA 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.

What dental expenses are HSA-eligible?

Dental treatment - Medical expenses for dental treatment are reimbursable. This includes fees paid to dentists for X-rays, models and molds, fillings, braces, extractions, dentures, dental implants and the difference in cost from insurance-approved restorations and alternative materials, etc.

Can I use my HSA 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).

Can I use my HSA for a sports massage?

Massage Therapy is eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA).

Can I use my HSA card for massage therapy?

Did you know? Massage Therapy is eligible for reimbursement through most FSA's and HSA's. Some do require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor, but this means you can potentially be reimbursed from your insurance for your massage from us! You just need a note from your primary care physician.

Can I reimburse myself from HSA?

Can I use my tax-free HSA savings to pay for — or reimburse myself for — IRS-qualified medical expenses from a previous year? Yes, as long as the IRS-qualified medical expenses were incurred after your HSA was established, you can pay them or reimburse yourself with HSA funds at any time.

Can I withdraw from my HSA for non medical expenses?

Yes. 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.

Where does leftover HSA money go?

HSA money is yours to keep. Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), unused money in your HSA isn't forfeited at the end of the year; it continues to grow, tax-deferred. What happens if my employment is terminated? HSAs are portable and move with you if you change employment.

What can I do with leftover HSA money?

If you have any money left in your HSA at the end of the year, it will continue to roll over year after year. That means that your unused contributions will keep accumulating until you need them. PLUS, balances earn interest or can be invested.

Do HSA get audited?

HSA reimbursements need matching receipts.

When using an HSA debit card, retain receipts for each transaction as those expenses will be reported to the IRS, and you could be audited.

Is an Apple watch FSA eligible?

Understanding What's Eligible and What's Not

While fitness trackers such as an Apple Watch, Fitbit or Garmin aren't eligible expenses, medical devices that monitor, screen, or test for certain diseases or medical conditions may be eligible. These include items like blood pressure and heart-rate monitors.

Do gym memberships qualify for FSA?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) typically does not allow funds from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms.

What is a letter of medical necessity for HSA?

The letter often includes relevant patient history, medical needs, and the duration of the treatment. You may need a letter of medical necessity for reimbursements of medical procedures, supplies, or equipment when you use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).

Are Amazon purchases HSA eligible?

If you have an HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA account (Flexible Savings Account) set up and you love shopping on Amazon, listen up. You can purchase a boatload of eligible items using your HSA or FSA account in the Amazon HSA store. And, your pre-tax HSA will even cover any tax or shipping fees.

Can you spend HSA on Amazon?

To use your FSA or HSA card on Amazon, simply add it as a payment option in your account. Just remember, some HSA cards need to be registered as credit cards to ensure they are used solely for eligible products.