FSA 2011 eligible expenses

(Updated for 2012 Flexible Spending eligible expenses)

A year has flown by. The FSA 2011 season ends in only 3 months, at least for me. We will have to allocate new amounts in my flexible spending account for 2012 during the open enrollment season in November. I can spend my fsa 2011 money until November 30 (some people have until December 31, check you HR for the exact date) and I will have to file for my reimbursement before the end of the year. Now would be a good time to tally how much you have left over in your flexible spending account for 2011 and plan for spending the money. If you scramble at the last moment you might end up buying stuff that you don’t need. Remember, buying stuff we won’t need never makes sense from a saving money point of view.

As I have mentioned before, the flexible spending accounts changed from 2011. Several expenses that were eligible without a prescription require a prescription to be part of FSA 2011 eligible expenses. Here is a list of eligible expenses and also eligible criteria.

FSA 2011 eligible expenses – Easily overlooked expenses that doesn’t require prescription

1. Acupuncture
2. Blood pressure monitors
3. Birth control pills
4. Blood sugar test kits & test strips
5. Chiropractors
6. Co-pay
7. Cold/hot packs
8. Contact lenses
9. Contact lens solution
10. Capital expenses to accommodate disability
11. Dental care (toothache relief, denture adhesives)
12. Doctor-recommended weight-loss programs
13. Eye care lubricant
14. Feminine care (Progesterone cream, vaginal infection treatments, estrogen cream)
15. First aid kits (heat wraps, compresses, bandages, tape, gauze dressing, adhesive pads)
16. Hand Sanitizers
17. Hearing aid & its batteries
18. Incontinence supplies
19. Lodging expenses of the patient (if the sole reason for the lodging is to receive medical care)
20. Lodging expenses of the companion (if parents are traveling for the kid’s treatment)
21. Mileage to/from doctors office, hospital or any test facility
22. Ovulation kits
23. Parking fees (if the only reason you are there is to receive medical care)
24. Pregnancy test kits
25. Rubbing alcohol
26. Sales tax for medical expenses
27. Shampoo treatments relating to lice
28. Shipping and handling fees if you buy the drugs online
29. Smoking cessation aids (gums, patches)
30. Thermometers
31. Transfer of medical records (if you paid any money to transfer all you tests from one doctor to another)
32. Travel expenses – for treatment

FSA 2011 eligible expenses – Treatments/Procedures

Most of these procedures are carried out only after a doctor’s recommendation. So if you had one of these treatments/procedures for a medical necessity it should not be a problem getting reimbursed from your FSA 2011 money.

1. Acne treatment
2. Adoption/Pre-adoption medical expenses
3. Alcoholism treatment
4. Ambulance services
5. Asthma treatments
6. Chelation therapy
7. Crutches
8. Dental treatments
9. Diagnostic items/services
10. Drug addiction treatments
11. Drug overdose treatments
12. Egg donor fees
13. Eye examinations
14. Fertility treatments
15. Flu shots
16. Fluoridation services
17. Hemorrhoid treatments
18. Hospital services
19. Immunizations
20. Laboratory fees
21. LASIK eye surgery
22. Learning disability instructional fees
23. Motion sickness treatment
24. Organ transplants
25. Orthodontia
26. Oxygen
27. Physical exams
28. Physical therapy
29. Psychiatric care
30. Radial Keratotomy
31. Sleep deprivation treatment
32. Smoking cessation programs
33. X-ray fees

FSA 2011 eligible expenses – Capital expenses

These capital expenses require a written note from your doctor on why you need these items. The documentation generally includes (1) date (2) your full name (3) your doctors name (4) statement of medical necessity (5) prescribed treatment or equipment (6) any special requirement on the equipment.

1. Air conditioner/airpurifier
2. Automobile modification
3. Cervical pillow
4. Exercise equipment/program
5. Home improvements
6. Humidifier
7. Inclinator
8. Lead based paint removal
9. Vaporizers
10. Wigs

FSA 2011 eligible expenses – Special requirement expenses

These expenses are mostly routine treatments for a medical conditions. But to be reimbursed from your 2011 flexible spending account, you will need either/both

1. Prescription
2. Letter of necessity (these might be dual purpose expenses that everyone uses. If it is for general purposes it is not reimbursable, but if you require that item due to some medical conditions they are reimbursable). You will need a letter from your doctor explaining the necessity. The documentation is same as the capital expense documentation and generally include (1) date (2) your full name (3) your doctor’s name (4) statement of medical necessity (5) prescribed treatment.

This list of expenses will hold true for 2012 as well. If you have money left over in your 2011 Flexible Spending account, you have 3-4 months now to plan and use it efficiently. You can use this list to plan for how much to set aside for 2012 as well. If you need more ideas, browse the FSAStore.com or Drugstore.com and it will show if an item is FSA eligible expense or not. If you need a lot more ideas than this and need a more authoritative source check the IRS list of eligible medical and dental expenses.

Note: This list is applicable for HSA or Health Savings Account for 2011 as well.