Can you use your HSA for someone else?
Asked by: Addie Schultz | Last update: October 3, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (54 votes)
Can I use my HSA for someone not on my plan?
No. You can only use HSA funds for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents.
What happens if you use your HSA for someone else?
The basic rule: Family Only. You can make tax-free withdrawals from an HSA to cover qualified medical expenses for yourself, your spouse and anyone you claim as a dependent on your tax return. That's it. If you use your HSA to pay for a friend's medical bills you are going to run into a big IRS bill.
Can you use HSA for non-family members?
The question people with HSAs often ask is whether or not they can use their account to pay for the expenses of family and friends as qualified HSA dependents. The answer is "yes" when it comes to specific family members, and a big "no" when it comes to friends.
Can I use my HSA for my 25 year old son?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that major medical plans cover dependents to age 26; however, these dependents do not need to be tax dependents. To use your HSA funds for your dependent child's health expenses, the adult child must be claimed as a tax dependent on the HSA's owner tax return.
Make Sure You Understand the Weaknesses of an HSA
Can I use my HSA to pay for my girlfriend?
14. I'm enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan with an HSA for myself only. Can I use my HSA to pay for my spouse, domestic partner, or children's medical expenses? Yes, as long as you use the funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, you can pay for any family member who is a tax dependent on your tax return.
What is the adult child loophole for HSA?
Here it is: “If your adult, non-dependent child is only covered by your High Deductible Health Plan, they (or you) can also make a family contribution into THEIR HSA in addition to yours.” For 2024, that contribution limit is $8,300 (in 2025, it'll be $8,550).
Can I use my HSA 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.
What is the 12 month rule for HSA?
It means you must remain eligible for the HSA until December 31 of the following year. The only exceptions are death or disability. If you violate the testing period requirement, your ineligible contributions become taxable income.
Can I use my HSA for my mom?
But you can use the money that's left in your HSA to cover qualified medical expenses for yourself, your daughter, and your parents (parents are only eligible if qualifying relative dependents, like we mentioned above).
What triggers an HSA audit?
Does HSA spending trigger an audit? The IRS doesn't monitor how you spend your HSA funds throughout the year, but that doesn't mean they won't ask for proof that your expenses were eligible. And if your tax return contains unrelated IRS audit red flags, your risk for an HSA audit could increase.
Can I use my HSA card 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 use my HSA to buy glasses for someone else?
Your HSA and FSA vision care coverage is not limited to purchases you make for yourself, either. You can also use your accounts to pay for vision expenses for your spouse and eligible dependents — even if they are covered under a different insurance plan.
Can I use my HSA to pay for someone else?
Yes. You can use HSA funds to pay for qualified health care expenses for yourself, your spouse or dependent(s) even if they are covered under another health plan. Generally, people qualify as your dependent(s) if you claim them as an exemption on your federal income tax return.
What if I never use the money in my HSA?
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.
How do I know if my HSA is individual or family?
While often referred to as a “Family HSA” account, there is actually no such thing. Each HSA is owned by one person. But family coverage under a qualifying HDHP allows you to use your HSA to pay for qualifying medical expenses for yourself and your family.
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 HSA be used for dental?
Yes, you can use a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) for dental expenses.
What happens when my HSA balance is $0?
Will my HSA account remain open if I have a $0 balance? The account will remain open if you have a $0 balance. There is no fee assessed to you for having a $0 balance.
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.
Can I use my HSA for vitamins?
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 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.
What is the HSA loophole?
Money in the HSA may be used to pay or reimburse for medical, dental, optical, and hearing aids. When withdrawn for these expenses there are no taxes due.
Can I use my parents' HSA after I turn 26?
This means he is not eligible to be claimed as a tax dependent on his parents' tax return. He may be enrolled in his parent's qualified HDHP until he reaches age 26, but their HSA funds cannot be used to help pay his out-of-pocket medical expenses.
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.