HSA Qualified Expenses

Employees can use the money in their health savings account to cover bills for qualified health care expenses. Qualified expenses include:

• Copayments for medical expenses and drugs
  
• Coinsurance and deductibles determined by the health plan
• Doctor and hospital visits, including surgeries
• Chiropractor and podiatrist visits
  
• Prescription drugs
• Birth control and sterilization
  
• X-rays and lab tests
• Vaccinations and immunizations
  
• Many OTC (over-the-counter) drugs, like cough medicine, cold and allergy remedies, antibiotic creams*
  
• Vision expenses such as glasses or contact lenses
• Dental and orthodontia expenses
• Hearing expenses
  
• Long-term care
• Treatment for alcoholism and drug abuse
• Smoking cessation therapy
  
• Wheelchairs, artificial limbs
  
• COBRA and Medicare premiums (and, if you are unemployed, other types of health insurance premiums)
  

Items Not Considered Qualified Expenses

• Cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery
• Funeral expenses
• Health club dues
• Tooth whitening

Read more about what expenses qualify for tax-free reimbursement through an HSA in IRS Publication 502.
Find IRS Publication 502 at the US Department of the Treasury website.
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