Can I use my HSA for durable medical equipment?

Asked by: Garnett Hessel  |  Last update: December 12, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (27 votes)

Under IRC 213(d)(1), "medical care includes amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body." This includes medical equipment, supplies and devices.

Is durable medical equipment HSA eligible?

Durable Medical Equipment is eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Can I use my HSA card to buy adult diapers?

Items that have the yellow badge on them are registered in the national database of qualified FSA/HSA items, and can be sold in pharmacies, drug stores, and wherever medical supplies are sold, but the fact is that all adult cloth diapers, regardless of color or print, are qualified FSA and HSA approved items.

What medical related expenses Cannot be paid from an HSA?

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 my HSA to buy a smart watch?

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.

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42 related questions found

Can I use my HSA to pay for my gym membership?

Generally, the IRS doesn't allow pretax dollars in HSAs or FSAs for gym memberships. This is because they see them as expenses for general well-being rather than medical necessity. However, with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN), your HSA or FSA could be used to fund those expenses.

Can I use my HSA card on Amazon for medical supplies?

Yes. All eligible items can be purchased with an FSA or an HSA card.

Can I use HSA for glasses?

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.)

What is the downside of an HSA?

Drawbacks of HSAs include tax penalties for nonmedical expenses before age 65, and contributions made to the HSA within six months of applying for Social Security benefits may be subject to penalties. HSAs have fewer limitations and more tax advantages than flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

Can you deduct gym membership as a medical expense?

A10: Yes, but only if the membership was purchased for the sole purpose of affecting a structure or function of the body (such as a prescribed plan for physical therapy to treat an injury) or the sole purpose of treating a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease).

Is potty training HSA eligible?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): These accounts allow you to pay for potty training consultations directly. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans: If your child's potty training struggles impact their education, these plans may cover professional help.

Can you use HSA for vitamins?

In general, vitamins are not considered an HSA eligible expense unless they are prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition.

Are car seats HSA eligible?

Car Seats: HSA Eligibility

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

What is considered durable medical equipment?

Equipment and supplies ordered by a health care provider for everyday or extended use. Coverage for DME may include: oxygen equipment, wheelchairs, crutches or blood testing strips for diabetics.

What happens if you accidentally use your HSA account by mistake?

After you report the mistake to the custodian, the custodian reports it to the IRS. Reimburse the HSA. If you've mistakenly used HSA funds for nonqualified expenses, you must repay the distribution amount back into your HSA by the tax filing deadline for the year in which the distribution occurred.

Can I buy a sauna with my HSA?

The key to using your HSA/FSA funds for a sauna purchase is obtaining a letter of medical necessity (LMN). This letter justifies your sauna as a necessary medical expense for treating or alleviating a specific condition.

Do I ever lose my HSA money?

Myth #2: If I don't spend all my funds this year, I lose it. Reality: HSA funds never expire. When it comes to the HSA, there's no use-it-or-lose-it rule. Unlike Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds, you keep your HSA dollars forever, even if you change employers, health plans, or retire.

What happens to your HSA when you turn 65?

Once you turn 65, you can use the money in your HSA for anything you want. If you don't use it for qualified medical expenses, it counts as income when you file your taxes.

Can you make too much money for HSA?

What happens if I contribute more than the IRS annual maximum? If your HSA contains excess or ineligible contributions you will generally owe the IRS a 6% excess-contribution penalty tax for each year that the excess contribution remains in your HSA. It is recommended you speak with a tax advisor for guidance.

Can I use my HSA 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.

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…”

Is deodorant HSA-eligible?

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).

What vitamins can I buy with my HSA?

For instance, prenatal vitamins are FSA/HSA eligible, as they help prevent birth defects and support fetal development, while glucosamine/chondroitin supplements are also eligible when used to treat arthritis. However, in some cases, doctors may prescribe a specific vitamin supplement to treat a medical condition.

What can you not pay with HSA?

Here are some examples of non-qualified HSA expenses: Babysitting or child care (a dependent care FSA can help with child care) Dance or swim lessons (even if recommended by a doctor) Cosmetic procedures (though some exceptions apply)

Can I use HSA for medical equipment?

Under IRC 213(d)(1), "medical care includes amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body." This includes medical equipment, supplies and devices.