What purchases are eligible for FSA account?
Asked by: Aryanna Veum I | Last update: October 29, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (5 votes)
What items qualify for FSA purchase?
- Home healthcare: Thermometers, pain relief devices, blood pressure monitors, medical alert devices, blood sugar test kits, and more.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: For cough, cold, allergies, pain relief, and more.
How do I know if an item is FSA-eligible?
The IRS defines qualified medical expenses as amounts paid for the “diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body.” Qualified medical expenses are eligible for reimbursement through your FSA as long as they are not reimbursed ...
What is not eligible for FSA?
Toothbrushes/Toothpaste/Dental Floss
At first glance, it would seem like dental supplies would be a no-brainer, but these items fall under products that support "general health", and are therefore ineligible.
Can I 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.
How to use your FSA money - My 6 best buys
Can you buy shampoo with FSA?
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).
Is ChapStick FSA eligible?
You can use your FSA tax-preferred savings account to purchase OTC products including ChapStick® without a prescription. HSA/FSA eligibility is not applicable to products sold on the online ChapStick® store.
Is toilet paper FSA eligible?
Here are examples of items and expenses that are not FSA-eligible for 2024: General health items: toiletries like toothpaste, toilet paper, or shampoo, cosmetic products, vitamins and supplements (without a prescription) Non-medical equipment: car seats, strollers, non-medical exercise equipment.
What happens to FSA if you don't use it all?
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.
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.
Do glasses count for FSA?
Yes! You can use your FSA funds for eye exams and prescription glasses. You can also use them for prescription contact lenses. And prescription sunglasses are FSA-eligible, too.
Can you buy vitamins with FSA?
However, when it comes to FSA/HSA eligibility, most vitamins and nutritional supplements are not eligible, with a few notable exceptions. But since these products fall into an eligibility gray area, we will clear up the confusion as to what may make it onto your FSA shopping list!
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.
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.
Is a gym membership FSA eligible?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually doesn't allow funds from an FSA to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms. However, the IRS allows FSA funds to be used for paying separate fees charged at health clinics or physical therapy centers for specific activities prescribed by doctors for an individual.
Can you buy toothpaste with FSA?
FSA-Excluded Dental Expenses
You can't even buy toothpaste of any kind or dental floss using FSA funds, as they are not eligible expenses. Oral pain remedies, however, are typically covered by plans. Orthodontia is usually covered, but there are situations in which it can be considered cosmetic.
Can I use FSA for massage?
Pay with Your FSA or HSA: Once you have the prescription, you can pay for your massage therapy directly with your FSA or HSA debit card. If your provider doesn't accept these cards, you can pay out of pocket and submit a claim for reimbursement.
What are FSA eligible 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 I use FSA to buy toothbrush?
Brush-Up on FSAs and HSAs
However, current law does not recognize certain oral healthcare products — such as manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, water flossers, mouthwash, or OTC anti-cavity toothpaste — as “qualified medical expenses.”
Is deodorant on FSA?
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 makeup with FSA card?
Cleansers, face creams, moisturizers, toners, makeup removers, serums, and eye creams are not FSA eligible.
Can you get mouthwash with FSA?
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 ...
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 ibuprofen FSA 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).