What does fsa cover over the counter

Thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act thousands of items, some you use every day or month, are now reimbursable from your flex spending account (FSA), effective January 2020. And if you do a little further digging, you may be shocked to find tons of other things you never considered to be eligible too.

Before you pay out-of-pocket, learn about seven surprising products and services that are reimbursable by your FSA.

Skin Care

We all want to put our best face forward, and with certain FSA-eligible items you can!  FSA/HSA eligibility extends to a variety of products including facial cleansers, sunscreen, prescription acne medications, over-the-counter acne treatments and medicated body lotions that are designed to alleviate certain skin conditions.

OTC Pain Relief

Whether your little one just spiked a fever or you’re battling a toothache, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and products, including hot and cold therapy packs and cooling headache pads, are now eligible for reimbursement, for the following OTC medications without a prescription:

• Pain relievers like Tylenol and Advil
• Heartburn medication
• Allergy relief
• Toothache relief such as Orajel

Periods, Fertility, Menopause

From periods to pregnancy to menopause—and all of life’s moments in between—many women’s health products, including most recently OTC menstrual products, are now eligible for reimbursement with an FSA. These include:

• OTC menstrual products, such as pads, tampons, cups and sponges
• Birth control pills
• Pregnancy tests
• Fertility tests and treatments such as in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, fertility medication and the temporary storage of eggs or sperm (may require documentation; check with your plan)
• Breastfeeding care including breast pumps, breastfeeding classes, absorbent breast pads and breast milk storage bags.
• Hormone replacement therapy (with a prescription; check with your plan)

Lip Balms

Whether you live near the beach or mountains, everyone will need some lip relief. You can purchase a variety of lip care products for sun protection and to fight off dry, chapped lips.

Humidifiers, Air Filters and Supplies

If air quality has an impact on your medical health, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. With a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor or healthcare provider, humidifiers, air purifiers and filters are eligible for reimbursement.

Dietitian

If there are concerns about your medical condition, your doctor might refer you to a dietitian to help you better manage your disease. While general health visits not related to your medical condition won’t qualify, you are eligible for reimbursement with a doctor’s LMN that outlines a specific diagnosis and how a dietitian is necessary.

Mental Health

Your mental and emotional health are just as important as your physical health. The good news is that you can pay for some mental health treatments and services (including some online therapy) with your FSA administrator.

With so much uncertainty in the world, people are experiencing greater levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Now’s the time to focus on your emotional and mental well-being. Use your tax-free FSA funds to help offset you and your loves ones’ care.

Looking to spend those remaining FSA dollars? Check out this article for more suggestions and tips for products and services.

Join the Conversation

Is your healthcare flexible spending account balance burning a hole in your pocket? Don’t rush to spend it just yet.

The accounts, known as FSAs, allow you to set aside pre-tax income to spend on qualified medical purchases. That includes doctor’s bills, co-pays and prescriptions — as well as a lot of over-the-counter medications and other health-adjacent products and equipment. (An FSA is different from a health savings account, or HSA. If you have one of those, the balance can be rolled over to the next year.)

The maximum amount you could set aside for an FSA in 2021 was $2,750. Most years, you can only roll over some of that balance to the following year. (The current legal limit is $550, though your plan might have a lower limit.) If you didn’t end up having many medical bills that year, December sometimes winds up being a hustle to spend the rest. Workers who forget wind up forfeiting an estimated $400 million a year collectively.

But this year, things are different. Congress changed the rules for 2020 and 2021 under the assumption that some people may have skipped or delayed healthcare visits on account of the pandemic. If your workplace opted in, you may be able to roll over the entirety of your remaining balance to 2022. Contact your benefits provider or human resources department and ask whether your employer is participating.

If they aren’t, there are lots of ways to use up your FSA balance. Pharmacies like CVS and Rite-Aid allow you to use your FSA card just like a debit card. Swipe your FSA card first at checkout and payment for all eligible items (see below for ideas on those) will go through. You can also use your card to buy eligible items online. Lots of sites have a page dedicated to covered supplies, including Amazon, Target, Costco, CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens and Wal-Mart. There’s also FSAStore.com, which — as you might have guessed from the name — only sells FSA-eligible things.

Here are some of the items you might not have realized were FSA-eligible, in case you need shopping inspiration:

COVID supplies: Masks, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, thermometers, pulse oximeters, at-home COVID tests — these are all FSA-eligible. Stock up on rapid tests now and be ready for the holidays.

First-aid kits: You should have one for your home and one in your car. (P.S. Have you signed up for our newsletter on earthquake preparedness? There’s a whole section on what to have on hand in case of emergencies.) If you already have a kit that you’ve had an occasion to crack open, your FSA can cover things like bandages and first-aid ointment to replenish it.

Prescription glasses, contacts and eye care: If you’re due for an eye exam, you can now do those online (and can probably also pay for that with your FSA). Once you have an up-to-date prescription, most sites should let you use your FSA to pay for your new contacts or specs, including hip spots like Warby Parker and See Eyewear. If you don’t need new eyewear, you can use your FSA for things like contact solution, lens wipes and eye rewetting drops.

Menstrual supplies: Thanks to the 2020 CARES Act, pads, tampons and other period products are now eligible for FSA spending. If you are feeling generous, you might consider buying some and donating them to one of the many organizations that provide menstrual supplies to people in need.

Family planning items: Condoms and emergency contraception both qualify.

Over-the-counter medications and monitoring equipment: Stock up on ibuprofen, acetaminophen, certain vitamins and supplements, antacids, pain relief gels and pads, and other OTC treatments for when you aren’t feeling so hot. You can also use your FSA for blood pressure monitors and a lot of diabetes care supplies.

Baby, pregnancy and postpartum supplies: Expecting a new healthcare dependent in 2022? FSAs cover a multitude of breast pumps and breastfeeding supplies, recommended postpartum care items, and even some fancy optional baby supplies like the Owlet monitoring system.

Sunscreen and skin care: Many acne treatments and eczema creams can be purchased with your FSA. And although it’s dark at 5 p.m. right now, the sun will return. Be prepared.

Massagers: If you’ve been eyeing a massaging wand, device or car seat, this is your chance.

Mobility aids: Canes, transport chairs and wheelchairs are all eligible.

Home drug tests and smoking cessation aids: If healthier living is your 2022 resolution, you can use up this year’s FSA balance to get a head start.

What items can be purchased with an FSA?

Is toilet paper FSA