Can you claim over-the-counter medicine on HSA?
Asked by: Alexzander Casper | Last update: September 27, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (17 votes)
Can I use my HSA to pay for over-the-counter medication?
Thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, you can use your FSA or HSA funds to buy OTC medications. Those types of medications include: Cold, cough, and flu medicine. Heartburn medications.
Are over-the-counter supplements HSA-eligible?
Most vitamins and supplements are not eligible with an FSA or HSA because the IRS considers them for general good health.
When did OTC meds become HSA-eligible?
The FSA/HSA eligibility of OTC medicines and menstrual care products was included within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act passed in March 2020. View our FAQs for more background.
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.
DWYM: Last two days to buy over the counter meds with HSA
Can I buy Tylenol with my HSA?
Antacids such as Tums or Prilosec are eligible OTC items when accompanied by a prescription from a doctor. Analgesics (e.g. Advil, Aspirin, Tylenol) are eligible with a prescription from a doctor.
Can I use HSA for OTC allergy medicine?
Until recently, OTC medications only qualified for reimbursement with a note or prescription from a doctor. The March 2020 CARES Act removed this requirement. Now, HSA and FSA cards can be used to buy non-prescription allergy medications and other OTC drugs without a prescription.
Is gym membership 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 HSA for OTC cold medicine?
Earlier this year, the CARES Act was passed, which made over-the-counter medication HSA-eligible medical expenses. These include things like pain relievers, fever reducers, cough meds, antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, nasal rinses, humidifiers, and more.
Are tampons 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?
Can I buy deodorant with HSA?
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).
Is ibuprofen HSA eligible?
Ibuprofen is eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Ibuprofen is not eligible with a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).
Can I buy protein shakes with my HSA card?
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 buy OTC vitamins with HSA?
What vitamins and nutritional supplements are FSA/HSA eligible? With this IRS definition in mind, daily multivitamins and most dietary supplements are currently not FSA/HSA eligible.
Is Tums HSA eligible?
You can also use your health savings account (HSA) to purchase antacids like TUMS without a prescription. TUMS products can be purchased with HSA funds. This includes TUMS Chewy Bites, TUMS Ultra Strength, TUMS Regular Strength and all other TUMS varieties.
Is over-the-counter medication a qualified medical expense?
Except for the cost of insulin, the cost of a drug that isn't prescribed by a physician is not a medical expense that is deductible under section 213 of the Code. However, the cost of over-the-counter drugs and also menstrual care products may be paid or reimbursed by an HSA, FSA, Archer MSA, or HRA.
Can you use HSA for over-the-counter items?
All over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or drugs (including insulin) are eligible for reimbursement through a HCFSA. OTC products that are not medicines or drugs (such as sunscreen, bandages or contact lens solution), and are purchased to alleviate or treat a medical condition are also eligible items for reimbursement.
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).
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.
Is the Apple Watch HSA eligible?
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 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.)
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.
Does HSA cover Benadryl?
Antihistamines are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).
Is toothpaste HSA eligible?
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 use my HSA to buy a humidifier?
Humidifiers are eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) for flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).