Can I use my HSA to pay for travel insurance?
Asked by: Miss Aubrey Stokes | Last update: September 22, 2025Score: 4.5/5 (44 votes)
Can I use my HSA for travel health insurance?
HSAs can also be used by US citizens traveling abroad for the sole purpose of receiving medical care, as long as the services qualify for the treatment of medical expenses in the United States.
Can you use an HSA to pay for insurance?
You can use your HSA to pay for premiums on long term care insurance, COBRA (health insurance you might use if you become unemployed), and even Medicare if you are age 65 or older.
What travel expenses are HSA-eligible for?
Other reimbursable travel expenses include rental car expenses, bus tickets, taxi fare, train tickets, and plane & ferry fees. Ambulatory services, parking and toll fees are also included. These expenses extend not just to the person receiving medical care but also to other individuals.
What can HSA not be used for?
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. You also usually can't use HSA money to pay for health insurance premiums unless you meet certain criteria.
3 Ways Your HSA Can Pay Insurance Premiums
Can I use my HSA for 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.
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 I use my HSA to pay health insurance premiums if I retire early?
If you pay for your medical expenses out of pocket now, you'll have more saved in your HSA account to help pay for medical expenses once you retire. If you retire before age 65 and you aren't yet eligible for Medicare, you can use money in your HSA to pay your medical coverage premiums.
Can I use my HSA to pay for a hotel room?
Your HSA could also cover hotel costs during a medical treatment–related stay for you and a travel companion, up to certain daily limits.
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.
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 if I never use the money in my HSA?
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.
Can I cash out my HSA when I leave my job?
Yes, you can cash out your HSA at any time. However, any funds withdrawn for costs other than qualified medical expenses will result in the IRS imposing a 20% tax penalty. If you leave your job, you don't have to cash out your HSA.
Can I use my HSA to pay for insurance?
You generally can't use HSA funds to pay premiums. 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. Six months before you retire or get Medicare benefits, you must stop contributing to your HSA.
Can I use my HSA card internationally?
So rest assured, you can use your HSA when traveling abroad. However, there are limitations as to what you can spend your money on tax-free. And keep in mind you may also need to pay extra fees, depending on your HSA provider.
What happens to unused HSA funds?
Unlike many flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), unused HSA funds automatically carry over to the following year. Even if your employer provided the account and made contributions, the account belongs to you — so any remaining funds are carried over every year.
Is travel insurance HSA eligible?
HSA-qualified emergency medical travel plan.
You're now covered by two (or more) medical plans: your HSA-qualified medical plan and your emergency medical travel plan. Both plans are HSA-qualified. Therefore, you're not disqualified from funding your Health Savings Account.
Are gym memberships HSA eligible?
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.
Can I use my HSA for travel expenses?
Healthcare-related travel: If you have to travel to receive medical care, you can use HSA funds for some of the bills. HSA funds can help cover transportation and lodging expenses while you travel for healthcare services. Family planning: You can use HSA savings to plan for or prevent pregnancy.
What is the HSA account loophole?
The ultimate loophole available to almost everyone under the age of 65 in our tax code is the Health Savings Account (HSA). It is the only account you can contribute to and deduct the contribution and then withdraw the money tax free. Think about that, a tax deduction going in and no taxes going out.
Can I use my HSA account to pay for cobra premiums?
Can you use HSA for COBRA premiums? The short answer is yes. You can use funds from your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for COBRA premiums. This option is particularly beneficial for individuals who want to maintain their health insurance coverage but face the financial burden of COBRA premiums.
When can you take money out of HSA without penalty?
Can my HSA be used for anything other than qualified health care expenses? One benefit of the HSA is that after you turn age 65, you can withdraw money from your HSA for any reason without incurring a tax penalty. You are, however, subject to normal income tax on any non-qualified withdrawals.
When should you not use an HSA?
HSAs might not make sense if you have some type of chronic medical condition. In that case, you're probably better served by traditional health plans. HSAs might also not be a good idea if you know you will be needing expensive medical care in the near future.
Can HSA be used for dental?
Yes, you can use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) for dental expenses.
Do I ever lose my HSA money?
HSAs: The basics
What's more, unlike health flexible spending accounts (FSAs), HSAs are not subject to the "use-it-or-lose-it" rule. Funds remain in your account from year to year, and any unused funds may be used to pay for future qualified medical expenses.