Can I use my FSA card for non medical expenses?

Asked by: Mrs. Abbey Ernser  |  Last update: January 9, 2024
Score: 4.7/5 (31 votes)

Your FSA account can be used for eligible medical expenses only and you are solely liable for the use of the plan.

Can you use FSA for non medical expenses?

IRS regulations do not allow funds to be transferred or commingled between accounts. So, the money in your Health Care FSA may only be used for health care expenses and your Dependent Care FSA may only pay for dependent care expenses.

What can I use a FSA to pay for?

An arrangement through your employer that lets you pay for many out-of-pocket medical expenses with tax-free dollars. Allowed expenses include insurance copayments and deductibles, qualified prescription drugs, insulin, and medical devices.

Can you use your FSA card for groceries?

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 I get cash off my FSA card?

Unfortunately, FSA cards cannot be used to withdraw FSA funds from an ATM. These cards can only be used on qualifying medical products and services.

MESSA ABC: Can I use money in my HSA for non-medical expenses?

20 related questions found

How do I use my FSA card for cash?

You can't withdraw money from an ATM

The easiest way to be sure your purchases are eligible is to shop at a store that exclusively sells FSA eligible items (hint, you're already here). It removes the guesswork and allows you to focus on getting the items you need without having to file for reimbursement.

Can I buy gas with FSA card?

Fuel is eligible for transportation to and from medical care, up to the allowed mileage rate. 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 I buy toilet paper with FSA 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). What are toiletries?

Can I use my FSA for condoms?

You can use your FSA or HSA funds to pay for birth control pills and condoms. You can also use them for erectile dysfunction (ED) medications like Viagra®.

Can you 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.

Can I buy vitamins with FSA?

FSA and HSAs won't cover a vitamin supplement geared toward general health and wellness. A vitamin is eligible for coverage by an FSA or HSA only if that vitamin has been recommended by a medical professional for the treatment or prevention of a specific disease or condition.

What happens to unused FSA funds?

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.

Are toothbrushes FSA eligible?

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 I use my FSA for my boyfriend?

Healthcare FSA Funds Can Be Used for Spouses and Dependents

Be sure to keep track of which account is being used for documentation purposes. To use funds for your dependents, they must be claimed on your tax return and dependents cannot file their own return.

Can I use my FSA card for sunscreen?

Yes. The FDA oversees sunscreen products in the U.S. Typically, any FDA-approved drugs that meet the IRS guidelines for a qualified medical expense would make them FSA-eligible expenses. Sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher meet this requirement.

Does FSA cover hair loss treatment?

Your ability to use pre-tax funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or your health savings account (HSA) to pay for hair loss treatments is limited. You can't use these funds to pay for anything used to promote hair regrowth, since this is considered a cosmetic treatment rather than a qualified medical expense.

Can you buy diapers and wipes with FSA?

Regular diapers for newborns and infants are not FSA eligible. However, diapers used to relieve the effects of a specific disease or medical condition may qualify with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a pediatrician or other medical practitioner.

Are massages FSA eligible?

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.

Are glasses FSA eligible?

Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses. (FSAs and HSAs can be used for many other vision- and eye health-related expenses, too, but we'll discuss that more in a bit.)

Can I use FSA 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 FSA for Uber?

you can't use your FSA debit card to pay for your transportation expenses. Instead, you have to submit a claim for reimbursement to your FSA administrator. Many expenses related to common modes of transportation—Uber, Lyft, planes, cars, ferries, taxis, rental cars, buses and more—can be FSA-eligible.

Can you use an FSA card like a credit card?

Once you fund your FSA, you can use the account to pay for eligible medical expenses or buy eligible qualifying products. One way of doing so is by using your FSA card just as you would use any debit or credit card at check out.

Can I use my FSA card as a debit card?

FSA cards are essentially the same as debit cards, but used to cover medical expenses with FSA funds. In some cases, FSA holders who wish to access their funds are required to incur an out-of-pocket expense, and then submit receipts to their benefits administrator.

Does Amazon take FSA?

Amazon has stepped up its game and is now accepting FSA and HSA cards as a payment method for eligible products. So, you can say goodbye to those last-minute trips to the store for medical supplies when you can have them conveniently delivered to your doorstep.

Why is my FSA card being declined?

Most Frequent Valid Decline Reasons

The card has not been activated or has been suspended. The card has no funds remaining, or the card has insufficient funds and the merchant does not support partial authorization.