Can you buy Tylenol with your HSA?

Asked by: Dr. Durward Stehr  |  Last update: May 26, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (1 votes)

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 you buy pain relievers with HSA?

What can I buy with my HSA or FSA in 2025? The IRS expanded the list* to include OTC products such as pain reliever, face masks and cold and flu medicine. (* Over-the-counter products were added by the CARES Act, March 2020).

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.

How do I know what is HSA eligible?

What's considered an HSA-eligible plan? Under the tax law, HSA-eligible plans must set a minimum deductible and a limit, or maximum, on out-of-pocket costs for both individuals and families. The minimum deductible is the amount you pay for health care items and services per year before your plan starts to pay.

What does HSA cover?

A type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. By using untaxed dollars in an HSA to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses, you may be able to lower your out-of-pocket health care costs.

No more Tylenol on your HSA/FSA card

17 related questions found

Can you use HSA for Tylenol?

Tylenol 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).

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 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.

Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Why other fitness trackers don't qualify. 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.

Why won't Amazon let me use my HSA card?

Note: Certain Health Savings Accounts (HSA) cards cannot be registered as Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or HSA cards with Amazon but can still be used if they're registered as credit cards. If you register your HSA card as a credit card, you'll be responsible for ensuring the card is used only for eligible products.

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 HSA be used for groceries?

SNAP provides eligible low-income individuals and families with funds to purchase food items at authorized retailers. In conclusion, while HSAs cannot be used for groceries as a general rule, there are exceptions for certain medically necessary items.

Can I cash out my HSA?

Yes, you can withdraw funds from your HSA at any time. But please keep in mind that if you use your HSA funds for any reason other than to pay for a qualified medical expense, those funds will be taxed as ordinary income, and the IRS will impose a 20% penalty.

Is Tylenol FSA eligible?

Can I buy OTC medicine such as Tylenol and Tums with my FSA or HSA? Yes. You can buy OTC medicine such as Tylenol and Tums with your FSA or HSA.

What vitamins are HSA-eligible for?

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.

Is deep cleaning for teeth HSA-eligible?

Teeth cleaning is considered a preventative service, which is covered by HSAs and medical FSAs. Using your HSA or FSA to pay for teeth cleaning can be a smart way to maximize your healthcare dollars while taking care of your oral health.

Can I buy Gatorade with HSA?

You can grab a pack of ORS using your HSA or FSA funds without a prescription. However, rehydration sports drinks (think Gatorade) and electrolyte solutions containing additional additives (such as caffeine, immunity boosters, or the like) are not eligible.

Is exercise equipment HSA-eligible?

Exercise equipment may be 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).

What is not eligible for HSA?

If you or your spouse participates in a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (Healthcare FSA) or a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that allows for reimbursement of your medical expenses, you are not eligible to establish a new HSA or make contributions to a current HSA.

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.

Can HSA pay for massage?

Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.

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.)

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.

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.

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.