Some of the HSA eligible expenses that may require a diagnosis include: If you’re unsure what the requirements are, it’s a good idea to check with your insurer first to see what’s covered and when a doctor’s note may be necessary. You may need an official diagnosis from a physician in order to use your HSA to cover certain healthcare expenses without a tax penalty. Do You Need a Doctor’s Note for HSA Eligible Expenses? These same expenses are ones that you can’t use for the purposes of claiming a deduction for qualified medical expenses. Babysitting, childcare and nursing services for a healthy child.Some of the things you can’t use your HSA money to pay for without a tax penalty include: The IRS does specify certain health-related costs that aren’t considered to be qualified medical expenses. The CARES Act also added items designed to reduce the spread of COVID, including hand sanitizer, hand wipes and masks. Under CARES Act rules, you can also use your HSA to pay for the following: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 expanded the list of includible expenses for HSAs. Depending on the laws in your state, your expenses may not become eligible until after you’ve made your first contribution to a health savings account. It’s important to note that expenses you incur before you enroll in an HSA are not eligible. Here are some of the most commonly covered expenses under the Internal Revenue Code. That can help you avoid unexpected medical bills later. It’s important to check with your healthcare plan administrator to find out exactly what’s covered if you have an HSA. Overall, however, the list of HSA eligible expenses is fairly extensive. Is every expense HSA-eligible? The answer is no, there are some things you can’t pay for using money in a health saving account. The money in your HSA can be used to pay for expenses for yourself if you have individual coverage or your spouse and any dependents you have if you’re enrolled in a family plan. Many of the expenses that are considered HSA-eligible are ones that your insurance might not cover. Expenses related to medical care, dental care and vision care fall under this umbrella. That means you can use money in your HSA to pay for those expenses without it being considered a taxable distribution. HSA eligible expenses are ones the IRS has deemed as qualified. You’ll just have to pay ordinary income tax on those distributions. Once you reach age 65, you can withdraw money from a health savings account for any reason, regardless of whether you use the funds for healthcare. You’ll also owe income tax on the distribution. If you take money out of an HSA before age 65 for any reason other than healthcare, a 20% tax penalty applies. That means unlike a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), an HSA is not use it or lose it. The money you save in an HSA each year rolls over until you need it. Withdrawals for HSA eligible expenses are tax-free.A health savings account offers triple the tax benefits, in that:

So why would someone save in an HSA? The simple answer is tax benefits. Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are two investment options you might have. The money in your HSA can earn interest, depending on how you choose to invest. If you have an HSA at work, both you and your employer can make contributions up to the annual limit. The IRS adjusts HSA contribution limits regularly to account for inflation. For 2022, the HSA contribution limits are as follows: The amount you can contribute is determined by whether you have individual or family coverage. You can use this card to pay for healthcare expenses. When you open an HSA, you’ll receive a debit card that’s linked to your account. You may also choose to purchase a high deductible health plan if you’re self-employed. These accounts are associated with high deductible health plans, which can be offered through employers. A health savings account is a tax-advantaged plan that’s designed for healthcare and medical expenses.

Hsa eligible expenses