Can you have an FSA with a PPO plan?

Asked by: Mrs. Patience Schowalter III  |  Last update: January 9, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (51 votes)

You can have an FSA with any health plan, including a PPO or HMO. If you want to have both an HSA and FSA, the FSA may only be used for limited purposes.

Can I have an FSA with PPO?

Can I enroll in an FSA if I'm enrolled in the PPO plan? Yes. If you are enrolled in the PPO plan, you do not have a tax-advantaged savings account with your plan. Therefore, you are eligible to put money into a Health Care FSA.

Who Cannot participate in an FSA plan?

Though there are exceptions, self-employed employees and shareholders who own 2% or more in an S corporation, LLC, LLP, PC, sole proprietorship or partnership are generally ineligible for FSAs. Employees with HSAs cannot enroll in an FSA. However, employees with HSAs can enroll in a child and elderly care FSA.

Why can't you have an HSA with a PPO plan?

No, the PPO doesn't have a ``true'' deductible as you have non-preventive coverage prior to the deductible being met. So it's not HSA-eligible.

Can you have an FSA with any medical plan?

It's offered by employers and compatible with all types of health insurance plans. An advantage of an FSA is that you can use pre-tax money to pay for certain health care expenses that are not covered by other plans.

How to Decide Between HSA Plan and PPO Plan

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Can I have an FSA if I'm on my parents' insurance?

Yes, the FSA does not require that your dependents be covered under your health insurance plan. You can use your account to pay for eligible health care expenses for your family, regardless of the health insurance plan in which they are enrolled.

Can you use insurance and FSA?

You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums. You can spend FSA funds on prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter medicines with a doctor's prescription. Reimbursements for insulin are allowed without a prescription.

Is it better to have a PPO or HSA?

The choice between an HSA and a PPO can depend heavily on the type of business you run and the needs of your employees. In California, where the tech industry thrives and many employees are younger, healthier, and more likely to value long-term savings, an HSA may be the better option.

How do I know if my PPO is HSA eligible?

There are three important criteria the health plan must meet to make it eligible. According to the IRS2 , HSA-qualified HDHPs must have: A higher annual deductible than typical individual health insurance plans. A maximum limit on the annual deductible and medical expense costs, including copays and other items.

Do I lose my HSA if I switch to a PPO?

You own your account, so you keep your HSA, even if you change health plans or leave Federal Government. However, if your HSA was fully funded and you leave the HDHP during the year, then you will have to withdraw some of the contribution from the account.

What is not eligible for FSA?

Toothbrushes/Toothpaste/Dental Floss

At first glance, it would seem like dental supplies would be a no-brainer, but these items fall under products that support "general health", and are therefore ineligible.

Is an HSA or FSA better?

Bottom line: Both HSAs and FSAs provide financial benefits for managing health care expenses. HSAs offer more flexibility and long-term growth potential, making them a valuable tool for future financial planning. Learn about HSA options from Aetna.

Can I have an FSA if I am on my spouse's insurance?

Employees who do not choose to enroll in your company's health insurance (for example, if an employee chooses to be on their spouse's insurance plan instead) can still sign up for the FSA without insurance.

Who Cannot participate in FSA?

According to IRS guidelines, anyone with two percent or more ownership in a schedule S corporation, LLC, LLP, PC, sole proprietorship, or partnership may not participate.

Is a healthcare FSA worth it?

A health care FSA can be useful for people with any level of health costs because it provides access to the entire annual amount elected, beginning on the very first day of the plan year for medical, dental, and vision costs. So, if you have an unexpected large expense, you can access the funds you need.

Can you use FSA 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.

Why can't I have an HSA with a PPO plan?

Yes—you can use an HSA with a PPO. But not with just any PPO. Since an HSA isn't actually a type of health insurance, HSAs provide the flexibility to be integrated with any HSA-eligible high-deductible health plan (HDHP). As long as your PPO is an HSA-eligible HDHP, you can use an HSA with the PPO without issue.

Can I have an FSA with a high deductible health plan?

Three types of financial arrangements can be coupled with a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) – a Health Savings Account (HSA), a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Is Blue Shield PPO HSA eligible?

If you're looking for a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) that allows you to contribute toward a health savings account* (HSA), the Blue Shield Silver 2600 HDHP PPO plan may be for you. You can prepare for future medical costs by contributing tax-advantaged money to your own HSA.

Is it better to have HSA or PPO when pregnant?

9 Health savings accounts (HSAs) are associated with high deductible health plans (HDHP), which require you to pay expensive deductibles before your coverage begins. Since pregnancy and childbirth bring hefty costs, a lower-deductible PPO plan may be a more affordable option.

Is a PPO worth it?

Is PPO insurance worth the cost? It depends on your health needs, lifestyle and financial situation. For some people, the choice to see any doctor or specialist, even out of network, is worth the extra cost. For others, a more affordable plan like a Health Maintenance Organization, or HMO might be a better option.

What is the downside to HSA insurance?

HSA Cons. The big drawback of an HSA is that you have to sign up with a high deductible health plan to be eligible for one. It is difficult to forecast medical expenses accurately.

Can I pay for a gym membership with my HSA?

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 happens to unused FSA funds?

The IRS created the ""use or lose"" rule, which states that all money left in your FSA is forfeited after the benefit period ends . If you don't use all of your FSA funds during the benefit period, you risk losing money.

Can I use FSA for Peloton membership?

You can't directly pay for membership costs with your HSA/FSA card, but if you receive a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from Truemed or an applicable licensed medical professional and are eligible for reimbursement, you may be able to apply your HSA/FSA funds to the cost of a Peloton Membership while the LMN is ...