“FSA eligible" refers to a product or service that will (likely) be covered by your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). The IRS determines FSA eligibility by defining “qualified medical expenses" as covered expenses for medical and dental care. 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. Cosmetic expenses or anything benefiting general health or personal hygiene (such as gym memberships, vitamins, or toothpaste) are excluded from qualified expenses.
Your FSA can cover qualified medical expenses for:
- Yourself
- Your spouse
- Any eligible dependents (including children through the age of 26)
What might be considered a “qualified medical expense?"
- Costs toward medical services by a dentist, physician, or other medical specialist
- Costs of medical products or supplies
Items not covered by your FSA:
Certain expenses will not be covered by your FSA. Some of these include:
- Health insurance premiums
- Long-term care expenses
- Costs that are covered by another health plan
- Any item or service that does not meet the IRS definition of "qualified medical expense"
Why is a product or service not covered by my FSA?
Even though the IRS provides the general guidelines on FSA eligibility, your employer determines which expenses will ultimately be eligible under your FSA. It’s important to understand what your FSA plan will and will not allow. If you have questions about FSA eligibility for your plan, please contact your HR department or FSA Administrator. You can also check out our FSA Eligibility List, the most comprehensive list of items and services eligible for tax-free spending, conveniently organized from A to Z.
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