FSA and HSA FAQs

Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account FAQ

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding using your FSA or HSA card, updated for 2023! I have broken most questions down into three sections

  1. General FSA and HSA FAQs
  2. Can I use my FSA or HSA card here?
  3. Is this product FSA or HSA eligible?

Looking for better help on where to use your FSA or HSA card online? Read our ultimate guide to using your FSA or HSA card online!

General Frequently Asked Questions on FSAs and HSAs

Any unused funds in your FSA account will return to your employer on your last day of employment. It is important to plan ahead of your quit date and liquidate your FSA account, incase your 2 weeks notice turns to a termination. 

Read more in our latest post on FSAs, HSAs, quitting, and what happens to your forfeited money!

Unlike FSAs, your funds in an HSA account do not expire and return back to your employer if you quit or were terminated. 

Read more in our latest post on FSAs, HSAs, quitting, and what happens to your forfeited money!

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-advantaged employer health benefit account that allows you to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. Funds contributed to an FSA are not subject to Federal Income tax. 

When you lose your flexible spending account (FSA) dollars, they end up going back to the employer. The employer can keep the funds and use them for a variety of reasons, but most employers will use the funds to offset the expenses of administering the plan. 

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged health savings account available to taxpayers who are currently enrolled in High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). Funds contributed to a HSA are not subject to Federal Income Tax. 

FSAs and HSAs are a great way to save you money on your out-of-pocket medical expenses. Contributions to your FSA or HSA are not subject to Federal Income Tax, and for an HSA your account can grow tax free. You do not pay federal income tax on qualified medical expenditures either. 

Contributing to your FSA or your HSA also lowers your taxable income too, and may boost your net take home pay. Consult your HR administrator or a tax advisor for more information.

Your employer would have to offer flexible spending accounts (FSA) as an employee benefit if you are interested in opening account. Talk to your employer or your benefits administrator to learn more!

You can only open an HSA if you have currently have a high deductible health plan (HDHP). Talk to your insurance provider or benefit administrator to see if you have access to a health savings account with your HDHP. 

I was able to roll my HSA funds into Fidelity, and invest my HSA into some mutual funds. Here are some of the best HSA accounts as rated by Investopedia.

As of March 26th, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that purchases towards personal protective equipment (PPE) for “the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are eligible to be paid or reimbursed through flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs) and health reimbursement accounts (HRAs).”. Masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and other similar PPE related products will soon be available for you to use your debit card 

This amendment also allows for FSA and HSA cardholders to submit reimbursement claims for purchases after January 2020 and through the end of December 2022. It’s unclear at this time if the IRS will allow this amendment to stick post 2022. 

This new change is one of many that impacted FSA and HSA cardholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please check out my update on the major expansion of eligible products from the CARES act.

No you cannot donate your funds

A letter of medical necessity (LMN) is when a licensed health provider advocates for a specific treatment, product, equipment, medication, or service. This is usually through a prescription or a doctors note. The LMN will outline why this specific treatment is needed to help their patient with their treatment for a medical condition.  

Looking for a letter of medical necessity in 2024? Check out the IRS’s recent warning around letters of medical necessity for general health and wellness products and services.

Any unused funds in your FSA account will return to your employer on your last day of employment. It is important to plan ahead if you are expecting layoffs and have money left in your account. You should have a period of time where you can collect and submit reimbursement receipts for medical expenses that occurred prior to your last day of employment.

Where can I use my FSA or HSA Card?

No, Uber Eats does not accept FSA or HSA cards online. If you need to use your FSA card at a drug store that is on Uber Eats, you’re better off using it directly with that drug store. 

Looking for a full list of FSA approved and HSA approved stores? Need recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!

Yes, Instacart now accepts FSA and HSA cards on their platform. You will be able to shop fsa and hsa eligible items at retailers and grocery stores near you, even at stores that do not accept FSA cards!

Looking for a full list of FSA approved and HSA approved stores? Need recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!

 

No, Ulta does not accept FSA or HSA cards in-store or online at Ulta.com. However, if you happened to buy FSA eligible sunscreen from Ulta, save your receipt and reimburse yourself!

Looking for recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!

No, Sephora does not accept FSA or HSA cards in-store or online at Sephora.com. However, if you happened to buy FSA eligible sunscreen from Sephora, save your receipt and reimburse yourself! They’ve also released some tools to help you find FSA and HSA-eligible product such as sunscreen, and acne care. Read more about FSA-eligible products at Sephora on our latest blog here!

Looking for a full list of FSA approved and HSA approved stores? Need recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!

No, DoorDash does not accept FSA or HSA cards online. If you need to use your FSA card at a drug store that is on DoorDash, you’re better off using it directly with that drug store. You can learn more by reading our review of the DoorDash FSA/HSA store.

Looking for recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here! 

Yes, you can use your FSA card on Amazon.com. Amazon is one of FSA Guide’s recommended retailers to use your FSA card with. But if you’re shopping near your FSA deadline, I would advise you to find a local pharmacy or order on FSAstore.com. 

Looking for recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here! 

Need help adding your FSA card to your Amazon account, check out my guide here! 

Yes, you can use your HSA card on Amazon.com. Amazon is one of FSA Guide’s recommended retailers to use your HSA card with. However, if you can afford it, I’d recommend using your credit card to purchase your HSA eligible items on Amazon.com, and reimburse yourself at a later date. This will allow your health savings account balance to continue to accrue interest, and you may earn credit card points on top! 

Looking for recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!  

Need help adding your HSA card to your Amazon account or have any errors, check out my guide here!

Yes, you can use your FSA card or HSA card on FSAstore.com. Looking to save extra money shopping on FSAstore.com? Use the promo code: 15Save22 to save $15 off $150 or more, or 25Save22 to save $25 off $200. For an updated list of promo codes, check out their savings center here!

Looking for a more comprehensive list or recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!  

Yes you may have a chance at using your FSA and HSA card in-store successfully at Costco if your entire basket of goods are FSA eligible. You’ll likely need to do two separate transactions if you have non-FSA eligible items. If you are denied, it is likely because Costco isn’t considered an authorized retailer of FSA eligible items. You will need to hold onto your receipt and submit for reimbursement.

Costco.com does not accept FSA, HSA, or HRA benefit cards online. Looking for more tips on shopping at Costco with your FSA or HSA card, read more at our blog here! 

Looking for recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!  

Target does not accept FSA, HSA, or HRA benefit cards in-store nor does it accept FSA cards or HSA cards online on Target.com. They have made it easy for you to find FSA and HSA eligible products on Target.com, so if you’re looking for some tips read our blog on how to shop at Target with your FSA or HSA card!

Looking for a more comprehensive list or recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!  

Yes, Kroger does accept FSA or HSA cards in-store but not online at kroger.com. You will likely have to separate your FSA or HSA eligible products, such as OTCs like Tylenol, Miralax, from the rest of your items in your basket. 

Looking for recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!

Yes you can use your FSA and HSA card in-store at CVS and online at CVS.com. While CVS is one of the best retailers to use your benefit card at, there are some limitations. If you’d like to learn more, check out my review of CVS here! 

Looking for a full list of FSA approved and HSA approved stores? Need recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!

Yes, Walmart now accepts FSA or HSA cards online and in-store. You may have difficulty using your benefit card in-store, but for more tips on how to use your card at walmart visit our Walmart FSA & HSA guide.

Looking for a more comprehensive list or recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!  

No, at this time Temu does not accept FSA cards and HSA cards.

Looking for a more comprehensive list or recommendations on where to use your FSA or HSA Card online? Check out our guide here!  

Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA card at Labcorp for doctor prescribed lab tests and certain self-pay diagnostic tests. To learn more about which self-pay / no-insurance diagnostics are eligible, head on over to our latest blog on FSA eligible diagnostic lab testing

Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA card at Quest Diagnostics for doctor prescribed lab tests and certain self-pay diagnostic tests. To learn more about which self-pay / no-insurance diagnostics are eligible, head on over to our latest blog on FSA eligible diagnostic lab testing

Is this FSA or HSA eligible?

CBD (Cannabidiol) oil and products containing CBD such as gummies, tinctures, creams, etc, are usually not eligible with your flexible spending account (FSA) card or your health savings account (HSA) card. Since the IRS has not set out guidance regarding CBD, you’re better off consulting with your benefits administrator prior to your purchase and using your non-FSA or non-HSA form of payment.
 
What if I bought pain relief cream that has CBD in it?
If you found a CBD that helps you with your pain, you are not alone. In fact, there are many companies out there that have a menthol based pain relief cream, infused with CBD. Try talking to your doctor and your benefits administrator about your situation and see if you can come up with solution that works for your health and your wallet. 
 
What about Hemp?

Since Hemp contains virtually no THC, there are products out there that are FSA eligible that contain hemp. For example, you can buy this SPF 30 Facial Moisturizer with Hemp Extract or this Menthol Arnica based pain relief gel with Hemp and Emu Oil.

Short answer, yes. Most COVID-19 At-Home Testing kits like Binaxnow from Abbott, Ellume Rapid Testing Kit, and the Flowflex kit, among others, are FSA and HSA eligible, and should be available at most online and in-store retailers you shop at. However, it is important that you talk with your benefits administrator prior to purchasing a COVID kit as they may have a different POV as to what’s eligible OR there’s a chance that your insurance will cover it for free (which will be better off than using your tax-advantaged account). Kits are being rapidly released into the market, and unfortunately information is scarce and there is a chance that you’ll pick up a kit that hasn’t been approved for FSA eligibility yet.

Additionally, finding a rapid COVID-19 testing kit may be tough, but you’ll likely find more consistent stock on Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Optum, and Walmart.com. As always, talk to your benefits administrator for the most up to date information regarding what you should do with your benefits card and purchasing OTC COVID-19 Testing kits. 

According to the NIH, melatonin is a hormone that your brain produces in response to darkness to help you fall asleep.

Melatonin supplements are very common nowadays and many people consider it a part of their daily regimen as a sleep aid. Unfortunately, melatonin is typically not eligible with your FSA or HSA card unless your doctor is able to write a prescription for it.

IF you are looking for an FSA or HSA eligible sleep aid, you are able to purchase sleep aids that have an active ingredient in them, such as Zzzquil which contains Diphenhydramine HCl. You can find these items here on amazon.

Looking for more recommendations on products to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed, while saving money? Click here for my favorite FSA and HSA eligible sleep aids!

Getting a good night sleep is very top of mind for anyone’s health, but unfortunately buying a mattress to improve your sleep health is not an FSA or HSA eligible expense. 

IF you are looking to use your FSA or HSA card for a better night of sleep, you are able to purchase sleep aids that have an active ingredient in them, such as Zzzquil which contains Diphenhydramine HCl. You can find these items here on amazon.

Looking for more recommendations on products to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed, while saving money? Click here for my favorite FSA and HSA eligible sleep aids!

Yes, sunblock or sunscreen is an FSA and HSA eligible expense as long as the product is rated broad spectrum, and has an SPF of 15 or higher. Cosmetic or beauty products that happen to have SPF 15 or higher may be eligible, but you may have a harder time getting this expense approved. Some of your favorite brands like Supergoop!, Elta, Coola, Sun Bum, Coppertone, are FSA and HSA eligible!

Would you like to learn more about FSA and HSA eligible sunscreen? Check out my favorite picks here! 

Yes! As of March 2020, tampons from your favorite brands U by Kotex, Tampax, Seventh Generation, Playtex, Rael, are now eligible with your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) card. Using your FSA or HSA card to buy tampons is a great way to save you or your dependents money! You can check out Amazon’s FSA eligible and HSA eligible tampons here!

Looking for tampon alternative recommendations to help you survive the tampon shortage of 2022? Check out our new blog here! 

Yes, Lasik laser eye surgery is FSA eligible, HSA eligible, and HRA eligible. They are usually not eligible for your dependent care FSA (DCFSA). If you were someone who was sick of using their FSA card for glasses and contacts, you can now save your money for Lasik eye surgery! 

Some body fat and weight scales are FSA eligible and HSA eligible. It is important to note that in order for a scale to be eligible, it will have to measure body fat %. As always, please go over your eligibility concerns with your HR administrator. 

Click here for FSA guide’s top FSA and HSA-eligible weight scales!

Most vitamins and supplements are typically not eligible with your FSA card, your HSA card, and your HRA card. However, there are a few vitamins that are eligible. Most prenatal multivitamins, glucosamine, and fertility aid vitamins are eligible with your FSA or HSA card. 

If you’re looking for more suggestions on what to buy with your FSA or HSA card, check out our What to Buy guides!

You can shop all FSA and HSA eligible vitamins on Amazon here! You will find FSA and HSA eligible brands like Smartypants vitamins, Vitafusion, Olly prenatal vitamins,

Yes, digestive and heartburn medicine such as Pepto Bismol, Nexium, Tums, Miralax, Dulcolax, Omeprazole, and more are eligible with your FSA card, HSA card, and HRA card. Whether you need relief after superbowl weekend, or your a chronic heartburn or GERD sufferer, you will now have wallet relief knowing that you can save money buying these medications. 

Shop FSA and HSA eligible digestive and heart burn GERD relief medicine on Amazon.com here! 

Yes, currently legal abortions and legal abortion related expenses are eligible with your flexible spending account card (FSA) and health savings account card (HSA).

With the recent news from the supreme court around their formal opinion on abortions, it is unclear where legal abortions will stand at the federal level. If it’s up to the states, then there’s a chance you will have to work with your individual employer and HR admin on the eligibility requirements specific to your location.

Can I use my FSA card or HSA card to cover transportation expenses towards getting a legal abortion?

According to the IRS, you are allowed to use your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to cover travel expenses for qualified medical expenses. This would be for surgery, doctor visits, dental work, anything that is qualified for your FSA. 

Considering that legal abortion is viewed as a medical expense, it would make sense that your FSA or HSA card would cover the travel. However, considering that there may be a state by state opinion of this matter, it’s important to cover off on these expenses with your FSA administrator for their interpretation. 

Contraceptives like condoms and Plan B (Levonorgestrel) are eligible with your flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) card. 

Click here for all FSA and HSA eligible contraceptives on Amazon!

Yes, condoms from brands like Trojan and Lifestyles are eligible with your flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA).

No, because Marijuana is not federally legal, you cannot use your FSA or HSA card to purchase medical marijuana. The IRS determines what is eligible with your FSA or HSA card.

Depending on your state, you may be able to reimburse your out of pocket / co-pay for the doctors visit that leads to a medical marijuana card. Always consult with your doctor and your benefit administrator for more information.

For the most part, weighted blankets are not traditionally eligible with your FSA card or HSA card. You may be able to obtain a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your doctor, which your FSA or HSA administrator may accept. 

Yes, chirp wheels are eligible with your FSA card and your HSA card! You can shop for the chirp wheel here on Amazon!

You can also shop directly on Chirp’s website because they now accept FSA and HSA cards!

No, Waterpik and other general dental hygiene products are not eligible with your flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA). 

No, electric toothbrushes like Sonicare and other general dental hygiene products such as floss, Waterpiks, and mouthwash are not eligible with your flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA). 

Yes, certain massage guns are considered FSA eligible. Recently, the Theragun became FSA and HSA-eligible. You can buy the Theragun, Theragun Pro, and Theragun Prime over at BuyFSA.com.

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