Is weight loss medication FSA eligible?

Asked by: Braxton Bode  |  Last update: October 21, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (63 votes)

The cost of a weight loss program for treating obesity may be a reimbursable expense under certain FSA and HSA plans, so MWLC is a great place to consider …

Is weight loss medication covered by FSA?

Healthcare expenses beneficial to general health and wellness are not HSA- or FSA-eligible. This would include things like a gym membership, meal prep, or diet pills.

Can I use my FSA card for Alli?

You can use your HSA and FSA tax-preferred savings account to purchase certain OTC products including alli. The passage of the CARES Act by Congress includes provisions to restore OTC eligibility under tax-preferred HSA and FSA accounts.

Is a weight loss program a qualified medical expense?

A9: Yes, but only if the program treats a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease). Otherwise, the cost of a weight-loss program is not a medical expense.

Is obesity FSA eligible?

If you are dealing with excess weight, hypertension, Type-2 Diabetes, heart disease, or other serious health conditions, it is likely to be medically recommended that you lose weight to improve your health. Therefore, you should be able to use your FSA or HSA funds for a medically supervised weight-loss program.

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Are belly bands FSA eligible?

FSA Reimbursement

Belly Wrap, The Bamboo Belly from Viscose Wrap, Original Belly Wrap, Luxe Belly Wrap, Anti Bra's, V-Sling, Proof Leakproof Underwear, and Belly Boost are also eligible for reimbursement under your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account).

What is not eligible for FSA?

These items include antacids, allergy medicine, pain relievers, cold medicine, feminine products and more. Any item that is purchased to maintain good health and not to treat or alleviate an illness or injury is not reimbursable.

Does HSA cover weight loss medication?

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. Surprise!

Do insurance companies pay for weight loss drugs?

Even in the age of the Affordable Care Act, insurers still have a lot of leeway in deciding which prescription drugs to cover. According to the Wall Street Journal, less than half of large firms (those with more than 5,000 employees) cover weight-loss drugs under their health plan.

Can you buy a Fitbit with HSA?

A fitness tracker device, such as a Fitbit, is only eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can I use my FSA card for plenity?

Can I use my HSA/FSA/MSA to pay for Plenity? Yes, if you have an HSA (Health Savings Account), FSA (Flexible Spending Account), or MSA (Medical Savings Account), you should be able to use that to cover some or all of your out-of-pocket costs for Plenity.

Can I use my FSA for coolsculpting?

Coolsculpting, or cryolipolysis, is a cosmetic procedure and therefore 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 FSA to buy a gym membership?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) typically does not allow funds from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms.

Can I use my FSA for bariatric vitamins?

Bariatric vitamins and FSA: Are they covered? Long story short, most vitamins are not covered under FSA. While in some cases you can use your account for your weight loss surgery, there are only two vitamin types that are covered under FSA: prenatal and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements.

Are protein shakes FSA eligible?

Protein shakes are considered nutritional supplements, and unfortunately you cannot use your flexible spending account (FSA) towards these. We get many questions about FSA eligibility at FSAstore.com, as people often wonder why protein powder is not considered an FSA eligible expense.

Is calibrate weight loss FSA eligible?

The cost of the Calibrate program is not covered by insurance, however it is HSA/FSA eligible.

How do I know if my insurance covers weight loss medication?

In order to find out if weight loss medication is covered under your specific plan, contact your insurance company's customer service department and ask if weight loss medication is listed as a covered benefit in your plan.

Why aren t weight loss meds covered by insurance?

It made some sense in the past for insurance companies not to cover anti-obesity medications, Rind said. That's because many drugs promoted weight loss of only about 5%, the lower limit of what will make a difference in someone's health.

Is phentermine covered by insurance?

It is available in generic and brand versions. It is not covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but pharmacy coupons can help offset the cost.

Can I buy vitamins with FSA?

FSA and HSAs won't cover a vitamin supplement geared toward general health and wellness. A vitamin is eligible for coverage by an FSA or HSA only if that vitamin has been recommended by a medical professional for the treatment or prevention of a specific disease or condition.

Is semaglutide weight loss HSA-eligible?

Do You Accept HSA? Yes. You may pay for your lab work, EKG, or weight management program with an HSA credit or debit card.

Is Ozempic good for weight loss?

Ozempic is a once-weekly injection used to treat Type 2 diabetes. It's not approved for weight loss, but people taking it tend to lose weight. And some people are prescribed Ozempic off-label to help them lose weight. Wegovy is a higher-dose version of Ozempic that's approved specifically for weight loss.

Are tampons FSA eligible?

Feminine hygiene products: Pads, liners, and tampons all qualify as FSA-eligible expenses.

How do I know if something is FSA eligible?

Check out IRS Publication 502 or our FSA eligibility list to understand what is covered. In order for something to be considered a “qualified" medical expense, it must be for the primary purpose of diagnosing, treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing a medical condition.

What happens to FSA money not used?

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.