Can I use my HSA card to buy cough medicine?

Asked by: Tabitha Labadie  |  Last update: September 26, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (64 votes)

Now, you can save money on popular OTC items — such as pain relievers, cold and cough medicines, and qualified acne products — by using your HSA or FSA. Before you make a purchase, it's important to confirm if your item is a qualified HSA or FSA expense.

Can I buy cough medicine with my HSA card?

Yes, you can OTC cold medicine like Robitussin with your FSA AND HSA account funds.

Can I pay for NyQuil with HSA?

A: Yes, you can. The rules on this have changed over time. As of 2011, the ACA prohibited the purchase of over-the-counter medications with health savings account (HSA) funds, unless a doctor wrote a prescription for them. But Section 4402 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act changed that.

Can you use an HSA to pay for medications?

Along with prescription drugs, your HSA covers eligible medical expenses as defined by the IRS, including: medical care. vision and dental care expenses, plus hearing aids.

Can I use HSA for cold sore medicine?

You can also use your health savings account (HSA) to purchase cold sore cream like Abreva® without a prescription.

DWYM: Last two days to buy over the counter meds with HSA

31 related questions found

Can I use my HSA for cough drops?

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).

Can you use HSA on Tylenol?

Did you know you can use your FSA and HSA benefits on eligible TYLENOL® Brand products? This is your reminder! Product eligibility may vary by plan. Check with your benefits administrator to determine which expenses are eligible before you shop.

Can I buy over-the-counter medicine with HSA?

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

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 can you not pay with HSA?

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. Nutritional supplements and weight loss programs not prescribed by a physician are examples of expenses that would not be covered by your HSA.

Can I use HSA for Vicks?

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

Is Benadryl HSA-eligible?

Benadryl is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and a health reimbursement arrangement.

Can I buy vitamins with my HSA card?

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 buy toothpaste with HSA?

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).

Can I buy tampons with HSA?

Yes! Thanks to the CARES Act, tampons are now considered a “medical expense.” That means you can use pre-tax income to pay for them through your HSA. More questions about tampons?

What can I spend my HSA money on?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for:
  • Coinsurance. Coinsurance. ...
  • Copayments. Copayment. ...
  • Deductibles. Deductible. ...
  • Qualified medical expenses (includes some dental, drug, and vision expenses) – Find an expenses list on IRS.gov.

Is the Apple Watch covered by HSA?

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.

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.

Is cough syrup HSA-eligible?

The CARES Act has expanded the list of HSA-eligible items to include over-the-counter (OTC) purchases such as allergy, cough, and cold medications.

What if I accidentally used my HSA card for groceries?

If you catch the transaction early enough, you might even be able to contact the retailer and ask them to reverse the charge and fill it on a new card. If you bought something in person, you can also return it to the store and then buy it again with a different card.

Is teeth cleaning covered by HSA?

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.

Are Halls cough drops HSA-eligible?

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).

Can I buy bandaids with HSA?

OTC items include, but are not limited to band aids, bandages and wraps, braces and supports, catheters, contact lens solutions and supplies, contraceptives and family planning items, denture adhesives, diagnostic tests and monitors, diabetic supplies and testing, first aid supplies, peroxide, and rubbing alcohol.

What OTC medications are HSA-eligible?

Those types of medications include:
  • Cold, cough, and flu medicine.
  • Heartburn medications.
  • Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Allergy and sinus medicine.
  • Digestive aids and laxatives.
  • Baby rash ointments and creams.
  • Baby electrolytes.
  • Sleep aids.