What types of expenses are not eligible for reimbursement with an FSA?

Asked by: Janie Kohler  |  Last update: December 21, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (28 votes)

This is a partial list of health care expenses that are NOT eligible for reimbursement from the Health Care Spending Account:
  • Any illegal treatment.
  • Baby-sitting fees to enable you to visit a doctor.
  • Cosmetic surgery improving the patient's appearance.
  • Dental bleaching or any other teeth whitening**

What is not eligible expenses for FSA?

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 types of expenses are eligible for reimbursement with an FSA?

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.

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 things are allowed for either an FSA or HSA expense?

FSA's and HSAs are pre-tax accounts you can use to pay for healthcare related expenses. To qualify for an HSA you must have a high deductible health plan. With both FSA's and HSAs you can pay for things like co-pays medical bills and vision expenses.

Eligible Expenses: What Expenses are Eligible with an HSA, FSA or HRA?

43 related questions found

Is Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Unfortunately the answer to this question is usually no. This is because according to the IRS, fitness trackers are used to promote what the IRS terms “general health”. Expenses under this general health definition are not considered HSA eligible expenses.

Can I use FSA for Botox?

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

Does FSA cover toilet paper?

Toiletries are 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). What are toiletries?

Are toothbrushes FSA 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.

Is Tylenol FSA eligible?

Acetaminophen, the primary ingredient found in Tylenol, is an eligible OTC item. Acetaminophen reimbursement is eligible with an FSA account, HSA or HRA. Acne Medicine such as Clean and Clear, Neutrogena, Proactiv, etc., is eligible.

Are massages FSA eligible?

Did you know? Massage Therapy is eligible for reimbursement through most FSA's and HSA's. Some do require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor, but this means you can potentially be reimbursed from your insurance for your massage from us! You just need a note from your primary care physician.

Are glasses FSA eligible?

Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses. (FSAs and HSAs can be used for many other vision- and eye health-related expenses, too, but we'll discuss that more in a bit.)

Are reading glasses FSA eligible?

Both FSAs and HSAs are there to help you save for necessary medical expenses. Reading glasses—even over-the-counter reading glasses—qualify as medical expenses under most FSA and HSA plans. When you set up your FSA or HSA account, you should be given a card. These work just like debit or credit cards.

Can you use FSA for gas?

Fuel is eligible for transportation to and from medical care, up to the allowed mileage rate. Fuel, gasoline for medical care reimbursement is eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can FSA be used for laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not eligible for reimbursement with an HSA or FSA (Flexible Spending Account). It is important to remember that you should only use your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses.

Can you use FSA for cosmetic surgery?

FSA Guidelines on Cosmetic Surgery

Because plastic surgery is typically not used to treat a medical condition, it is not considered an FSA eligible expense. Any changes to appearance without a valid medical reason are not reimbursable.

Is face wash FSA eligible?

Face Wash (Non-Medicated): FSA Eligibility

However, if a face wash contains medicated ingredients that are used to treat a medical condition such as acne, it would be considered eligible. What is face wash? Face wash is a product designed to clean the face in conjunction with water.

Is sunscreen FSA eligible?

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 FSA for Waterpik?

Waterpiks are eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursement accounts (HRA) and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).

Can I buy Kleenex with my FSA card?

Facial tissues are 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) as they are considered a cosmetic product.

Does FSA cover hair loss treatment?

Your ability to use pre-tax funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or your health savings account (HSA) to pay for hair loss treatments is limited. You can't use these funds to pay for anything used to promote hair regrowth, since this is considered a cosmetic treatment rather than a qualified medical expense.

Are eye drops FSA eligible?

There are numerous different types, from artificial tears to help combat dry eye syndrome to steroid or antihistamine eye drops to help patients to manage the effects that allergies have on their eyes. The good news is that the cost of most types of eye drops are covered by FSA.

What cosmetics are FSA eligible?

Cosmetics are 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).

Is vitamin C serum FSA eligible?

Although something like apple cider vinegar gummies isn't approved for FSA funds, others like glucosamine chondroitin are eligible. You'll also find some interesting surprises, like vitamin C serums and magnesium sprays, that qualify.

Can you use FSA for chiropractor?

Chiropractic is covered by a 'standard' FSA and not by a limited-purpose FSA (a limited purpose FSA can only be used for vision and dental expenses). A standard FSA covers all eligible medical expenses, including chiropractic treatments. Visit Healthcare.gov for additional information.