Is HSA only for dental and vision?

Asked by: Winona Kiehn  |  Last update: September 18, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (62 votes)

Medical, dental or vision office visits are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Only preventive medical, dental and vision expenses are eligible under a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).

Is HSA for dental or vision?

HSA - You can use your HSA to pay for eligible health care, dental, and vision expenses for yourself, your spouse, or eligible dependents (children, siblings, parents, and others who are considered an exemption under Section 152 of the tax code).

What can HSA funds be used for?

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.

Can HSA be used for vision expenses?

Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) provide tax advantages that can help you pay for common vision and eye care costs your insurance may not cover. Eligible vision expenses include eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses.

Can I use HSA 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.

Understanding Dental Insurance & HSA Funds

33 related questions found

Is the Apple Watch covered by HSA?

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 to 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.

Are tampons HSA-eligible?

With the passage of the CARES Act in March 2020, tampons and other menstrual care products are now fully FSA-/HSA-eligible. According to the text of the bill, menstrual care products include, “tampon, pad, liner, cup, sponge, or similar product used by individuals with respect to menstruation…”

Can I buy vitamins with HSA?

In general, vitamins are not considered an HSA eligible expense unless they are prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition.

Can I use my HSA for sunglasses?

Yes, You Can Use Your FSA or HSA to Buy Sunglasses — Here's How. Key takeaways: Sunglasses with UV protection have health benefits, such as guarding your eyes against UV rays and reducing the symptoms of cataracts.

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).

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 you use HSA for vet bills?

The short answer is yes, you can use your HSA for veterinary expenses. Under current IRS guidelines, eligible medical expenses include those that are primarily for the prevention or alleviation of a physical or mental defect or illness.

What expenses can HSA be used for?

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.

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).

Can I buy a toothbrush with HSA?

Unfortunately, most products for oral health care are not currently eligible medical expenses for FSA and HSA spending.

Are gym memberships HSA eligible?

Gym memberships are generally not considered qualified medical expenses under IRS guidelines. While physical fitness is important, gym memberships are typically viewed as personal or recreational expenses rather than a medical necessity. So using HSA funds for them could result in taxes and penalties.

Can I buy Tylenol with 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 buy probiotics with HSA?

Example 2: Probiotics.

Probiotic supplements taken for general gut health: Not HSA qualified. Probiotic supplements that are recommended to you by a gastroenterologist or health coach to treat a direct condition: HSA qualified.

Can you buy shampoo with HSA?

While some exceptions may vary, shampoo is generally 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 HSA to buy lube?

Lubricants may be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

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).

Is a chiropractor covered by HSA?

It also will help lower your overall health care costs because you are using pre-tax dollars, thus reducing your taxable income by the amount of money you put into your HSA. You can use the funds in an HSA at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses, including chiropractic care.

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 you use HSA to pay off a credit card?

But can you pay off that medical credit card debt using a tax-advantaged medical savings account like an HSA or FSA? In short, yes, but it's important to keep good records.