Drive Lines

Updates and insights for the staffing industry.

A ROUNDUP OF ELIGIBLE AND INELIGIBLE FSA EXPENSES

Open enrollment is here and now is the perfect time to enroll in the company flexible spending plan (FSA) – if you haven’t already! With an FSA, you can set aside up to $2,650 in 2018. That money can be used to pay for all kinds of qualified health expenses and services. You might be surprised to see just what is eligible under your FSA!

Baby Care

Whether you’re expecting a new addition in 2018 or taking care of a baby, you can use your FSA to pay for breastfeeding supplies, including a breast pump and lactation consultant services, along with essentials like sunscreen and first aid. If your baby needs specialized formula to treat a medical condition, that’s eligible as long as a doctor prescribed it. For pregnancy and the post-partum period, eligible expenses include prenatal care, exams, treatment, and Lamaze classes.

Medical Services

All types of medical services, including copays and deductibles, are eligible. These include blood tests, metabolic tests, hearing tests, eye exams, dental services, x-rays, lab fees, body scans, and more. If you wear contacts or glasses, those are eligible as well, along with laser eye surgery, hearing aids, and batteries.

Insulin and prescription drugs, contraceptive devices, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, nebulizers, oxygen, prosthetics, and syringes are eligible under an FSA. If your doctor prescribes orthopedic shoes, air purification equipment, exercise equipment, hospital beds, mattresses, or a wig to treat a specific condition, you can use your FSA to pay for these items too. Breast cancer patients can use FSA funds to pay for post-mastectomy clothing.

Therapy and Treatment

You can use your FSA to pay for services and treatments provided by an allergist, chiropractor, Christian Science practitioner, dermatologist, homeopathic physician, optometrist, osteopathic physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or other type of physician. If you need drug and alcohol addiction counseling, hypnosis, an exercise program, massage, a weight loss program, or a smoking cessation program to treat a condition, use your FSA if the treatment is prescribed by a physician. Occupational, speech, and physical therapy expenses are eligible.

FSA funds can be used to purchase sunscreen and certain over-the-counter products, such as braces, bandages, supplements, medications, and first aid supplies. Some medications will require a prescription.

Ineligible Expenses

Cosmetic surgery, at-home drug tests, autopsies, certain baby care supplies (car seats, bottles, diapers, and bathing supplies), controlled substances obtained in violation to federal law, ear piercing, funeral expenses, gift cards, nail and skin care, personal care supplies, hair removal services, insurance premiums, cosmetics, tattoo removal, and veterinary care expenses are not eligible. Expenses previously reimbursed or reimbursed under another FSA are also not eligible.

Dependent Care

You can also enroll separately in a dependent care FSA if you currently spend money on child care while you (and your spouse, if you’re married) are at work or school. The max for a dependent care FSA is $5,000 for 2018.

Eligible expenses under a dependent care FSA include preschool, summer day camp, day care, and before or after school programs. A dependent care FSA can also be used to pay for adult care expenses for adult dependents who are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves. Overnight camps are not eligible under a dependent care FSA.

If you have questions about specific items or services, check out the Infinisource Benefit Services Resource Center! You can review an extensive list of items and find other helpful guides to answer your questions and help you make the most of your FSA.

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