What qualifies as a qualified medical expense?

Asked by: Brionna Nolan  |  Last update: January 28, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (32 votes)

Qualified Medical Expenses are generally the same types of services and products that otherwise could be deducted as medical expenses on your yearly income tax return. Some Qualified Medical Expenses, like doctors' visits, lab tests, and hospital stays, are also Medicare-covered services.

What is not considered a qualified medical expense?

Expenses NOT Eligible for under an HSA

The hospital insurance benefits tax, withheld from you pay as part of the Social Security tax or paid as part of Social Security self-employment tax. Nursing care for a healthy baby. Travel your doctor told you to take for rest or change.

What are qualified medical expenses for tax purposes?

The IRS allows you to deduct unreimbursed payments for preventative care, treatment, surgeries, dental and vision care, visits to psychologists and psychiatrists, prescription medications, appliances such as glasses, contacts, false teeth and hearing aids, and expenses that you pay to travel for qualified medical care.

What counts as a qualified medical expense for HSA?

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 account can only be used for qualified medical expenses?

A type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses.

MESSA ABC: What are qualified medical expenses?

42 related questions found

Is toilet paper HSA eligible?

On the counterpoint, let's take a quick look at some of the expenses that don't qualify for payment out of your HSA, even during the coronavirus pandemic: Babysitting and childcare costs for a normal, healthy child. Medicines and drugs from other countries. Personal care items like toilet paper and soap.

Are condoms HSA eligible?

Condoms: HSA Eligibility. Condoms are eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA). They are not eligible for reimbursement with dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA).

Are toothbrushes HSA eligible?

Toothbrushes are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) because they are general health products.

What expenses are not covered by HSA?

Ineligible expenses for HSAs
  • Child care for a healthy child.
  • Cosmetic procedures, unless they correct a deformity or treat an underlying medical condition.
  • Employment-related physical exams.
  • Funeral expenses.
  • Health insurance premiums, unless you have COBRA continuation coverage or receive unemployment benefits.

Are vitamins a qualified medical expense?

Per IRS: "You can't include in medical expenses the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, “natural medicines,” etc. unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.

How much out of pocket medical can you claim on taxes?

You can deduct unreimbursed, qualified medical and dental expenses that exceed 7.5% of your AGI. 1 Say you have an AGI of $50,000, and your family has $10,000 in medical bills for the tax year. You could deduct any expenses over $3,750 ($50,000 × 7.5%), or $6,250 in this example ($10,000 - $3,750).

What deductions can I claim without receipts?

Membership or Union Fees: Itemized deductions like these are in your pay-as-you-go summary. As long as you have the document, you usually don't need a receipt.
...
Common Items You Can Claim without a Receipt
  • Maintenance.
  • Loan interest.
  • Registration.
  • Insurance.
  • Fuel.

What are unreimbursed medical expenses?

Unreimbursed medical expenses means the cost of medical expenses not otherwise paid for by insurance or some other third party, including medical and hospital insurance premiums, co- payments, and deductibles; Medicare A and B premiums; prescription medications; dental.

Is massage chair a qualified medical expense?

Massage therapy and massage chairs aren't on the list of explicitly approved expenses, but neither are on the list of specifically excluded expenses either.

Are meals deductible for medical expenses?

Meals are not deductible as a medical expense deduction.

Are electric toothbrushes HSA eligible?

Electric toothbrushes are not eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts, and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) because they are general health products.

Is Tylenol HSA eligible?

There are two common types of over-the-counter pain medications: acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), both of which are now among the eligible expenses available from an HSA and FSA.

Can I buy groceries with my HSA card?

No, you can't use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) for straight food purchases like meat, produce and dairy. But you can use them for some nutrition-related products and services. To review, tax-advantaged accounts have regulatory restrictions on eligible products and services.

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 buy a treadmill with my HSA?

A treadmill can be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can I use HSA to buy sunscreen?

Sunscreen: HSA Eligibility. Sunscreen is eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA). They are not eligible for reimbursement with dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA) ...

Can you use HSA for deodorant?

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). What is deodorant?

Can HSA be used for Apple Watch?

Apple Watches are not considered medical devices and therefore cannot be bought with FSA funds. Even if a doctor says it's a medical necessity there's nothing that states Apple Watch is a medical device.

Are feminine products covered under HSA?

Menstrual products — including tampons, pads, liners and other similar products — are now considered qualified medical expenses, and Americans can use their health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to purchase these products.

Is shampoo a qualified medical expense?

Shampoo, medicated – (Will require a doctor's prescription for reimbursement); see Over-the-counter medications. Expenses paid for the purchase of medicated shampoos used to treat a scalp condition are reimbursable.