Can you buy protein powder with HSA?

Asked by: Carmela Reichel  |  Last update: September 24, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (56 votes)

Generally, protein powder or protein bars for general health and fitness purposes would not be eligible for HSA reimbursement.

Are protein shakes eligible for HSA?

Protein bars/powders/shakes 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).

Can you buy gym supplements with HSA?

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 vitamins with HSA?

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.

Is protein powder covered by FSA?

Protein shakes are considered nutritional supplements, and unfortunately you cannot use your flexible spending account (FSA) towards these. We get many questions about FSA eligibility at FSAstore.com, as people often wonder why protein powder is not considered an FSA eligible expense.

Protein Powder is a Waste of Money (DUMB!)

18 related questions found

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 you buy groceries with HSA card?

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 you use HSA for toothpaste?

Toothpaste: HSA Eligibility

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 a treadmill with my HSA?

A treadmill may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can I use HSA to buy electric toothbrush?

Electric 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.

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.

Can I buy tampons with HSA?

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…”

Can I buy melatonin with HSA?

Melatonin: HSA Eligibility

Melatonin may be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Are any protein powders FDA approved?

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, no dietary supplements, including protein powders, are regulated by the FDA to make sure they are safe or effective. There is also no requirement that supplements be tested to make sure they contain what the labels say they contain.

Can I buy Tylenol with HSA?

Acetaminophen, the primary ingredient found in Tylenol, is an eligible OTC item. Acetaminophen reimbursement is eligible with an FSA account, HSA or HRA.

What products are HSA eligible?

The following 18 items are examples of now-qualified medical expenses:
  • Acne treatments.
  • Allergy medication.
  • Aspirin.
  • Band-Aids.
  • Breathing strips.
  • Cold and cough medicine.
  • COVID-19 tests.
  • Eye drops.

Can I use my HSA to pay for a Fitbit?

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).

Can I use 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 you use HSA to buy pre workout?

Yes, but only if your health care practitioner recommends that supplement as a treatment or prevention for a specific health condition.

Can you buy toilet paper with HSA?

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 pay for braces with HSA?

Orthodontic treatments qualify as medical expenses that can be covered by HSAs and FSAs, as long as a dentist or orthodontist has recommended treatment. You can use these funds to pay directly for treatment or cover deductibles, co-pays, or coinsurance.

Does HSA cover sunscreen?

Sunscreen: HSA Eligibility. Sunscreen is 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) ...

Is vitamin D covered by HSA?

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.

Can I buy moisturizer with my HSA?

Moisturizer is an Over-the-Counter (OTC) product, but is not eligible for reimbursement with any consumer-directed healthcare account. Moisturizer on its own does not treat, alleviate or prevent a medical condition or disease, and is usually considered cosmetic in purpose, and therefore is not eligible.

What happens if you swipe HSA card for groceries?

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.