A Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) lets you set aside money from your paycheck before taxes are taken out, which you can then use to cover eligible healthcare expenses. It’s a great way to save money while taking care of your health.

Whether you’re heading to the pharmacy, the dentist, or the eye doctor, your FSA can cover a wide range of out-of-pocket costs. Below is a breakdown of what’s covered—and what’s not.

If you want the full details straight from the IRS, check out Publication 502 on Medical and Dental Expenses.

What Medical FSA Funds Can Be Used For

Here’s a list of common expenses that are eligible:

• Acupuncture

• Adaptive aids (like a raised toilet seat)

• Ambulance rides

• Artificial limbs, teeth, or prosthetics

• Bandages, wraps, and medical tape

• Birth control (pills and other forms)

• Blood pressure monitors

• Braces

• Breast pumps and accessories

• Car modifications for disabilities

• Chiropractic care

• Co-pays and coinsurance

• Contact lenses, solution, and glasses

• Counseling and mental health visits

• CPAP machines

• Crutches

• Dental care (non-cosmetic)

• Diabetes testing supplies

• Doctor visits

• Drug addiction treatment

• Eye exams and eye drops

• Fertility treatments

• First aid kits

• Flu shots and vaccines

• Hearing aids

• Home-use medical equipment

• Hormone therapy

• Hospital services and overnight stays

• Insulin

• Lab work

• Lactation support

• Lamaze classes

• Laser eye surgery

• Medical abortions

• Medical alert systems

• Non-cosmetic surgeries

• Occupational therapy

• Orthotics

• Physical exams

• Physical therapy

• Pregnancy tests

• Prescription drugs

• Reading glasses

• Psychologist visits

• Saline nasal spray

• Service animals and their care

• Speech therapy

• Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)

• Thermometers

• Transportation to medical appointments

• Walkers and wheelchairs (plus repairs)

• X-rays

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Items Now Eligible (No Prescription Needed)

Thanks to changes from the CARES Act, many OTC products are now eligible without a doctor’s note or prescription. However, your FSA card may not automatically work for these—some expenses may require you to pay out of pocket and submit a claim afterward.

Examples include:

• Acid reducers

• Allergy relief

• Anti-diarrheals

• Antifungals

• Acne treatments

• Antibiotic creams

• Anti-gas and antacids

• Bug bite relief

• Cold, cough, and flu meds

• Digestive aids

• Eye and ear care

• Feminine hygiene and period care

• Foot care

• Hemorrhoid treatments

• Laxatives

• Motion sickness remedies

• Pain relievers (oral and topical)

• Skin treatments

• Smoking cessation aids

• Sleep aids

• Stomach and nausea relief

What’s Covered With a Doctor’s Note

Some expenses require a doctor’s recommendation to be eligible:

• Humidifiers

• Hypnotherapy

• Massage therapy (for medical reasons)

• Over-the-counter meds (in certain cases)

• Prenatal vitamins

Limited Purpose FSA (For HSA Participants)

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you may also be eligible for a Limited Purpose FSA. These are more restrictive and only cover:

• Vision expenses

• Dental expenses

• Medical expenses only after you meet your deductible

Here’s a quick comparison:

Expense Type	General FSA	Limited Purpose FSA
Medical (before deductible)	✅	❌
Medical (after deductible)	✅	✅
Vision	✅	✅
Dental	✅	✅
Pharmacy	✅	Sometimes*

*Depends on whether deductible has been met

What FSA Funds Can’t Be Used For

There are a few things FSAs don’t cover:

• Insurance premiums

• Cosmetic procedures (e.g., teeth whitening, plastic surgery)

• General wellness items like toothpaste or multivitamins

• Weight loss programs (unless prescribed for a medical condition)

• Any expenses incurred before or after your FSA plan coverage period

Need help figuring out why a claim didn’t go through? See our article on common FSA claim denials.

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If you have questions about what your FSA covers—or want help maximizing your healthcare benefits—reach out to us at HealthyMarks. We’re here to make the complicated stuff simple.