HSA and FSA Purchases: Stretching Pre-Tax Dollars Without Getting Denied
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An HSA or FSA card is not a Visa for whatever is in the pharmacy aisle. Some items need a letter of medical necessity. Some “FSA eligible” marketplace badges are wishful.
Safe-ish categories
Bandages, many OTC meds (rules vary by year), contact solution, and eligible medical devices. Sunscreen, pregnancy tests, and first-aid kits are often eligible; cosmetics and general vitamins often are not unless prescribed.
Keep the receipt
Administrators audit. If the merchant coded the SKU wrong, you still need a paper trail. Prefer merchants that itemize eligibility at checkout.
Bottom line
Use pre-tax funds for things you would buy anyway. Do not invent a shopping hobby because the card is sitting in the wallet.
