Can you use an FSA card like a credit card?

Asked by: Ms. Burnice Rohan  |  Last update: November 17, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (6 votes)

Once you fund your FSA, you can use the account to pay for eligible medical expenses or buy eligible qualifying products. One way of doing so is by using your FSA card just as you would use any debit or credit card at check out.

Is an FSA card a credit card?

A FSA Debit Card is a type of debit card issued in the United States. It can access tax-favored spending accounts such as flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health reimbursement accounts (HRA), and sometimes health savings accounts (HSA) as well.

Can I swipe my FSA card anywhere?

You can't use it in every store

In order to be able to use your FSA card at a specific location, it must be one that accepts FSA cards and sells qualified eligible products, such as a pharmacy or grocery store. You can also use it at approved locations which offer medical services, such as a doctor's office or dentist.

Can I use my FSA card as a debit card?

FSA cards are essentially the same as debit cards, but used to cover medical expenses with FSA funds. In some cases, FSA holders who wish to access their funds are required to incur an out-of-pocket expense, and then submit receipts to their benefits administrator.

What else can I use my FSA card for?

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.

Creative ways to use your Flexible Spending Account before the year-end deadline

31 related questions found

Can FSA card be used for groceries?

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 I buy toilet paper with my FSA card?

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).

Can I cash out my FSA?

An FSA allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars from your salary. Your employer may also make contributions to your FSA account. You may withdraw the money tax-free if it's used for qualifying expenses.

Can I buy gas with FSA card?

Fuel is eligible for transportation to and from medical care, up to the allowed mileage rate. Fuel, gasoline for medical care reimbursement is eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

How do I get cash off my FSA card?

You can't withdraw money from an ATM

One of those is that the money can only be spent on FSA-eligible expenses. The easiest way to be sure your purchases are eligible is to shop at a store that exclusively sell FSA-eligible items (hint: FSAstore.com).

Can you use your FSA at an ATM?

Unfortunately, FSA cards cannot be used to withdraw FSA funds from an ATM. These cards can only be used on qualifying medical products and services.

Why is my FSA card being declined?

Most Frequent Valid Decline Reasons

The card has not been activated or has been suspended. The card has no funds remaining, or the card has insufficient funds and the merchant does not support partial authorization.

Does Target accept FSA cards?

Target stores

Third-party credit cards: Visa®, Mastercard®, Discover®/Novus®, American Express®, credit cards from foreign banks (JCB Japanese Credit Bureau), Diner's Club International, and FSA/HSA cards are redeemable for FSA/HSA eligible items.

Does Walmart accept FSA card in store?

Are you wondering whether Walmart accepts FSA and HSA cards? If you're a fan of this popular retailer, you'll be pleased to know that they accept many payment methods, including EBT, Affirm, and select benefit cards.

What happens to unused FSA funds?

For employees, the main downside to an FSA is the use-it-or-lose-it rule. If the employee fails to incur enough qualified expenses to drain his or her FSA each year, any leftover balance generally reverts back to the employer.

How do I access my FSA money?

Through your FSA provider, you can access your FSA balance, submit or monitor claims for reimbursement, check payments made from your account, and sort out any other information you may need. Many TPAs offer FSA information online.

Can I use FSA 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 pay old bills with FSA?

No, expenses must be incurred during the current plan year. The only exception to this rule is orthodontics. You can use your FSA to cover payments made for braces, even if the braces were put on before the start of the current plan year.

Can I use my HSA for Uber?

HSA Funds & Medically Necessary Transportation Expenses

Examples of medically necessary transportation costs include: Taking a cab, Uber, or Lyft to medical appointments (round trip) Ambulance services.

Do you lose FSA money if you quit?

What happens to an FSA if you leave a job? Any unused money in your flexible spending account (FSA) goes back to your employer after you quit or lose a job unless you are able to continue your FSA via COBRA continuation.

Can I buy toothbrush with FSA?

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.

Are glasses FSA eligible?

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.)

Is Tylenol FSA eligible?

Acetaminophen, the primary ingredient found in Tylenol, is an eligible OTC item. Acetaminophen reimbursement is eligible with an FSA account, HSA or HRA. Acne Medicine such as Clean and Clear, Neutrogena, Proactiv, etc., is eligible.

Can you buy books with FSA?

A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a doctor for health-related books may be required for reimbursement with most benefits providers to ensure that it is necessary for the treatment of a medical condition or that the book will provide you with information that you are seeking to treat or manage a medical condition ...

What purchases are FSA eligible?

Categories of FSA-eligible items
  • Home healthcare: Thermometers, pain relief devices, blood pressure monitors, medical alert devices, blood sugar test kits, and more.
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Cough, cold, flu, allergy, asthma, pain relief, and more.