What are some good items to buy with my FSA?

You can spend your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds on a wide variety of everyday health products, tech, and medical supplies.

Vision & Eye Care

• Prescription Eyeglasses and Sunglasses: Custom frames, prescription lenses, and prescription sunglasses are fully covered.
• Reading Glasses: Over-the-counter cheaters and magnification glasses qualify.
• Contact Lens Supplies: Daily or monthly contact lenses, saline, and multi-purpose cleaning solutions.
• Eye & Migraine Relief: Dry eye masks, eye drops (such as artificial tears or redness relievers), and cooling gel eye masks.

Pain Relief & Recovery

• OTC Pain Relievers: Ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen (like Advil and Tylenol).
• Topical Treatments & Patches: Icy Hot, Biofreeze creams, and medicated patches.
• Electrotherapy & Massagers: TENS units, percussion massagers (like Theragun or Hyperice), and vibrating foam rollers.
• Hot and Cold Therapy: Reusable gel packs, heating pads, and ice rollers.

First Aid & Health Monitoring

• Wound Care: Band-Aids, sterile gauze, medical tape, and antiseptic ointments (like Neosporin).
• Diagnostics & Tech: Digital thermometers, blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, COVID-19 tests, and smart health trackers or rings (such as select models on the FSA Store).
• First Aid Kits: Compact or comprehensive emergency kits for home and travel.

Everyday Health & Personal Care

• Menstrual Products: Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear (thanks to the CARES Act).
• Sunscreen & Lip Balm: Broad-spectrum sunscreens (SPF 15 or higher) and medicated or SPF lip balms.
• Allergy, Cold & Flu: Antihistamines (like Zyrtec or Claritin), nasal sprays, cough drops, and chest rubs.
• Acne & Skin Treatments: Acne face washes, spot treatment patches, and eczema creams.

Baby & Maternity

• Breast Pumps & Accessories: Electric breast pumps, milk collection bags, and nursing pads.
• Baby Health Tech: Smart baby health monitors and forehead thermometers.

No, you cannot buy toilet paper with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

The IRS classifies toilet paper as a general toiletries and personal hygiene product rather than a medical expense. Because it is a basic household necessity used for routine daily cleanliness and not for diagnosing, treating, or preventing a specific medical condition, it does not qualify for FSA reimbursement.

❌ Other common bathroom items that are NOT FSA-eligible:

• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Mouthwash and dental floss
• Fingernail clippers

🟢 Similar hygiene items that ARE FSA-eligible:

While toilet paper is excluded, certain personal care products are covered under expanded federal guidelines:

• Feminine hygiene products (such as tampons, pads, and menstrual cups)
• Incontinence products (such as adult diapers, pads, and disposable underwear)
• Medicated wipes or creams (if specifically designed to treat a medical issue like hemorrhoids or eczema)

Note: Be aware that online search filters on retail sites may occasionally show general household items when searching for "FSA eligible," but those transactions will ultimately be rejected by your FSA plan administrator.

You can use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents using tax-free dollars.

Medical and Over-the-Counter Care

• Doctor visits: Pay for copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.
• OTC medications: Buy pain relievers (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen), allergy pills, and cold medicine without a prescription.
• First-aid supplies: Purchase bandages, gauze, and first-aid kits.
• Sunscreen and acne care: Stock up on sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and medicated acne treatments.

Dental and Vision Care

• Dental work: Cover routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, and orthodontia like braces.
• Vision care: Pay for eye exams, prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, contact solution, and LASIK surgery.

Everyday Health and Family Care

• Menstrual products: Purchase pads, tampons, and period underwear.
• Baby essentials: Buy breast pumps, nursing supplies, and baby thermometers.
• Specialized equipment: Cover hearing aids, blood pressure monitors, and diabetic testing supplies.

You can check specific, searchable item eligibility via the FSA Store Eligibility List or review broad categories on the FSAFEDS Eligible Expenses Page.

Double dipping with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) means receiving tax-free reimbursement twice for the exact same eligible out-of-pocket expense.

Common Scenarios

• Spousal Overlap: Submitting the same medical or dental receipt to both your FSA and your spouse’s separate FSA.
• Card + Manual Claim: Paying for an item with an FSA debit card and then manually submitting that same receipt for an extra cash payout.
• Multiple Tax Benefits: Using pre-tax FSA funds to pay for an expense and then also claiming that same expense as an itemized medical tax deduction on your federal return.
• Cross-Plan Reimbursing: Trying to cover a single bill using overlapping accounts like an FSA and an HSA or an HRA at the same time.

Consequences

• Repayment: Administrators will force you to pay back the duplicate funds.
• Account Freezing: Your FSA debit card may be deactivated or future claims blocked.
• Plan Penalties: Severe or systemic double dipping can threaten the tax-free compliance status of your entire employer-sponsored plan.

Yes, you can use your FSA Store resources or Flexible Spending Account for a gym membership only if a doctor or licensed clinician provides a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) stating that exercise is required to treat a specific medical condition.

Rules for Eligibility

• General Wellness: Standard gym memberships for general fitness, weight loss, or general health do not qualify.
• Medical Necessity: If you have a diagnosed condition (such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, or physical rehabilitation), your doctor can write an LMN.
• Timing: You must obtain the LMN before you pay for the membership so the expense qualifies for pre-tax reimbursement.

How to Submit a Claim

1. Get an LMN: Ask your doctor or use a telehealth platform partnered with your provider to get a signed Letter of Medical Necessity.
2. Pay Out-of-Pocket: Pay your gym dues directly with a personal card.
3. Submit for Reimbursement: Send your itemized gym contract, payment receipt, and the LMN to your FSAFEDS or FSA plan administrator.