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. The products and services must have a medical purpose, defined by the IRS as “the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body.” Furthermore, the purpose of the expense must be to relieve or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness.
When nutritional products and services are a medical necessity or help relieve certain medical conditions, they may be considered eligible. Here are some examples.
Eligible Nutrition Expenses
Nutritionist Services
With aLetter of Medical Necessity (LMN), you can be reimbursed for the services of a licensed nutritionist. Nutritionists are experts in food and nutrition. They help clients set up meal plans and choose the right foods to eat. They may also provide advice on the health effects of certain foods.
Nutritional Supplements
“Nutritional supplements” is a broad term encompassing both meal replacements and special foods with ingredients that enhance the food’s nutritional value. In most cases you will need to provide a Letter of Medical Necessity with your claims for FSA/HSA reimbursem*nt.
Dehydration Fluids
Dehydration not only makes you feel bad, it can prevent you from properly digesting food and potentially hinder vitamin and nutrient absorption. This is especially harmful for young children.Many over-the-counter (OTC) products that help replace fluids and electrolytes in adults and children experiencing gastrointestinal problems are an eligible expense.
Digestive Aids
Digestive aids include treatments for indigestion, heartburn, lactose intolerance, constipation, diarrhea, and related ailments. OTC items such as antacids, laxatives, and anti-diarrhea medicines are all eligible for purchase or reimbursem*nt from FSA or HSA funds.
Prenatal Vitamins
OTC prenatal vitamins are an eligible expense and do not require a prescription or letter of medical necessity for reimbursem*nt.
Infant Nutritional Needs
If your baby cannot be fed with regular formula, you may have to use alternative formulas that address special medical conditions. In many cases, the cost difference between regular formula and the special formula is an eligible expense. However, you may need a letter of medical necessity to get reimbursem*nt approval.
These are just some examples of nutrition-related products and services that can qualify as an eligible expense for FSA/HSA plans. If you still have questions, call or email DataPath Administrative Services customer services – and remember, alwayskeep your receipts!
DataPath Administrative Services has been providing professional third-party administration for employee benefit plans (FSA, DCAP, HRA, HSA, Transit, COBRA and more) since 1996.
FAQs
In general, over-the-counter vitamins and dietary supplements are not eligible for reimbursem*nt through an HSA unless they meet specific criteria. For a vitamin or supplement to be considered eligible, it must be prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat a diagnosed medical condition.
Are nutrition services covered by FSA? ›
Nutritionist: FSA Eligibility
The services of a nutritionist, with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN), are eligible for reimbursem*nt with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), a health reimbursem*nt arrangement (HRA).
What food items are FSA eligible? ›
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.
Are nutritional supplements FSA eligible? ›
Dietary supplements are typically not eligible. However, some dietary supplements may be eligible for reimbursem*nt with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and health reimbursem*nt arrangement (HRA) with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a medical professional.
Are protein shakes HSA eligible? ›
Protein bars/powders/shakes reimbursem*nt is not eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursem*nt arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
Are protein supplements HSA eligible? ›
If you are taking nutritional supplements for general health purposes, those cannot be paid for from your HSA. But, if your healthcare provider recommends you take a supplement to treat or prevent a specific health condition, it would be considered an eligible expense.
Is protein shakes eligible for FSA? ›
Protein shakes are considered nutritional supplements, and unfortunately you cannot use your flexible spending account (FSA) towards these. We get many questions about FSA eligibility at FSAstore.com, as people often wonder why protein powder is not considered an FSA eligible expense.
Are vitamins and probiotics FSA eligible? ›
No, probiotics and prebiotics are not FSA-approved because they are considered food/ dietary supplements rather than a qualified medical expense. In fact, most supplements and vitamins are considered FSA-ineligible. The only exceptions are prental vitamins, glucosamine and fiber supplements.
Is the Apple Watch FSA eligible? ›
While your Apple Watch, Garmin, or other tracker may offer you some insight—and maybe even some encouragement—to stay on top of your fitness routine, they are not typically considered medical devices for purposes of FSA and HSA funds.
Are air purifiers FSA eligible? ›
An air purifier may be eligible for FSA reimbursem*nt 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.
If you discover you accidentally paid for something other than a qualified medical expense from your HSA, you may repay the mistaken distribution prior to filing your federal taxes for the tax year of the mistake.
Can I use my FSA for multivitamins? ›
Multivitamins may be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity for reimbursem*nt with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursem*nt arrangement (HRA).
How do I get my vitamins covered by FSA? ›
If your health care provider recommends taking a mineral supplement like calcium, iron, or zinc, your supplements may be FSA eligible. But like most vitamins, you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity for reimbursem*nt.
Can you buy weight loss supplements with HSA? ›
Weight loss supplements are not eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursem*nt arrangement (HRA). Weight loss supplements reimbursem*nt is not eligible with a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
Are weight loss supplements HSA eligible? ›
Healthcare expenses beneficial to general health and wellness are not HSA- or FSA-eligible. This would include things like a gym membership, meal prep, or diet pills. What determines eligibility as a covered item under an FSA/HSA is your doctor's recommendation to treat a condition.
Can I use my HSA to buy vitamins on Amazon? ›
Yes. Amazon does separate FSA and HSA eligible items and payment within a single order.
Are zinc supplements HSA eligible? ›
Zinc supplements are not eligible for reimbursem*nt with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), health reimbursem*nt accounts (HRA), dependent care flexible spending accounts and limited-purpose flexible spending accounts (LPFSA).
