What can I spend my FSA on?

Asked by: Prof. Josianne Funk  |  Last update: February 27, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (60 votes)

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.

What items can I use my FSA for?

Remember to check with your plan administrator to confirm the expense is eligible with your specific FSA.
  • Health insurance copayments, office visits, co-insurance payments, and deductibles.
  • Dental work.
  • Vision expenses, eyeglasses, and prescription contact lenses.
  • Prescriptions.

What can I spend my remaining FSA money on?

Here are 16 great ways to spend your FSA and stretch every dollar further.
  • #1 Doctor visits. ...
  • #2 Telehealth visits. ...
  • #3 Over-the-counter (OTC) medications. ...
  • #4 Dental care. ...
  • #5 Vision Care. ...
  • #6 Diabetes management. ...
  • #7 Eczema cream and lotion. ...
  • #8 Women's healthcare products.

What are acceptable FSA expenses?

Allowed expenses include insurance copayments and deductibles, qualified prescription drugs, insulin, and medical devices. You decide how much to put in an FSA, up to a limit set by your employer. You aren't taxed on this money.

Can you pay for a gym membership with FSA?

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.

How to use your FSA money - My 6 best buys

32 related questions found

Does FSA cover Apple Watch?

While your Apple Watch, Garmin, or other tracker may offer you some insight—and maybe even some encouragement—to stay on top of your fitness routine, they are not typically considered medical devices for purposes of FSA and HSA funds.

Is Planet fitness FSA eligible?

Can you use flexible spending account (FSA) funds to pay for a gym membership or exercise classes? Typically, no. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually doesn't allow funds from an FSA to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms.

Are air purifiers FSA eligible?

Air purifiers are generally not eligible for reimbursement. An air purifier may be eligible for FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) only if you are using it to relieve or alleviate a specific medical condition and you would not otherwise have purchased it.

Are massages FSA eligible?

If you have a Flex Spending Account (FSA), you may not be aware that Massage Therapy can qualify as a medical expense. If massage therapy services are prescribed by your physician then you can use your FSA account to pay for these services.

Is Tylenol FSA eligible?

Can I buy OTC medicine such as Tylenol and Tums with my FSA or HSA? Yes. You can buy OTC medicine such as Tylenol and Tums with your FSA or HSA.

How to make the most of your FSA money before it disappears?

Check your balance: Log into your FSA account ASAP. Deadlines vary— double-check to be sure when yours is. Plan your spending: Use your remaining funds wisely. Stock up on prescription medications, replace glasses or contacts, and restock over-the-counter items like allergy meds and first-aid supplies.

Will FSA cover sunglasses?

You can use your FSA funds to purchase prescription and reading sunglasses online, through your eye doctor, or at an optical or retail store.

Can I buy vitamins with FSA?

Vitamins and supplements bought over the counter for general health reasons are typically not a qualified medical expense under IRS rules. You may be eligible to buy certain vitamins with your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), if used to treat a medical condition.

Can I buy groceries with FSA?

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.

What happens if I use my FSA incorrectly?

If the Benefits Card is accidentally or intentionally utilized for ineligible expenses, you are responsible for reimbursing your account. You will be notified if you have an ineligible expense and your Benefits Card may be deactivated until your account is reimbursed.

Can you buy deodorant with FSA?

For example, daily care products, like Vaseline, toothpaste, and deodorant, are not FSA-eligible expenses. Gym memberships and health insurance premiums aren't eligible either. It's possible that you may accidentally purchase a nonqualifying expense with your FSA funds. If you do, don't panic.

Are tampons reimbursed by FSA?

Tampons are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Tampons are not eligible with a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Can I use FSA for dental?

You can use funds in your FSA to pay for certain medical and dental expenses for you, your spouse if you're married, and your dependents. You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums.

Is a chiropractor covered by FSA?

An FSA lets you pay for many different services. Alternative medicine such as chiropractic care is one such service that qualifies for FSA reimbursement. A chiropractic visit, exam, or treatment would then be covered by an FSA as long as the purpose is to treat a medical condition and not for general good health.

Can I buy an electric toothbrush with my FSA?

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

Is sunscreen FSA eligible?

You can use your flexible spending account (FSA) to buy broad-spectrum sunscreens with a minimum SPF of 15 using pretax dollars. A variety of items that offer sun protection, including lip balms, lotions, and moisturizers, might also qualify for these funds. Many FSA plans offer debit cards to make using funds easier.

Is mouth wash FSA eligible?

Over-the-counter items (OTC) items are not eligible for reimbursement if they are normally used for general health or are used even when there is not a medical condition being treated (such as toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, lotion or moisturizer that also contains sunscreen) or are cosmetic in nature (teeth whitening ...

Can I use my FSA to buy a treadmill?

If you have a letter from a medical professional stating that exercise equipment is a medical necessity, your FSA can cover it.

Does FSA cover teeth whitening?

Dental care can certainly be a part of those expenses, but teeth whitening is not considered to be an FSA eligible expense. Because it's considered cosmetic in nature, teeth whitening will not be reimbursed with your FSA.

Are sunglasses FSA eligible?

You can use FSA dollars on sunglasses, as long as they are prescription sunglasses. Some non-prescription sunglasses can be purchased with HSA or FSA dollars, but you will most likely need a prescription for the shades from your doctor.