Are Arch Supports FSA Eligible? What You Need for a Claim

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows individuals to set aside pre-tax money from their paycheck to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. Arch supports, designed to provide additional foot support, can often qualify as an eligible expense for FSA reimbursement. Understanding the specific criteria and documentation required is important for utilizing these tax-advantaged funds.

Understanding FSA Eligibility for Arch Supports

Arch supports are eligible for reimbursement through an FSA when they are used to alleviate or prevent a physical disability or illness. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines medical expenses as costs for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and treatments affecting any part or function of the body. This means that items merely beneficial to general health, such as comfort insoles without a medical purpose, do not qualify.

Orthopedic shoe inserts, including arch supports, are eligible for reimbursement if they treat, alleviate, or prevent a medical condition or disease. For custom orthotics, a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, such as a podiatrist, is required. This prescription serves as confirmation that the custom orthotics are medically necessary to address a specific condition.

Over-the-counter (OTC) arch supports are also eligible, but often require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) if their primary purpose is not clearly medical. An LMN, provided by a licensed healthcare provider, explains why an item or service is recommended to treat or mitigate a specific health condition. This documentation demonstrates that the arch supports are for medical treatment rather than general wellness or comfort.

Required Documentation for Reimbursement

To ensure reimbursement for arch supports, specific documentation must be gathered. For custom orthotics, a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider is a requirement. This prescription should include the patient’s name, the date of service, the provider’s name and signature, a clear description of the item recommended, and the medical condition being treated.

If a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is needed for over-the-counter arch supports, it must state the medical condition being treated and explain how the arch support will alleviate that condition, including the duration of need. The LMN should also contain the healthcare provider’s full name, professional credentials, and contact information, ideally on official letterhead.

An itemized receipt for the purchase is required for any claim. This receipt must include the date of purchase, the vendor’s name, a detailed description of the item purchased, and the exact cost. Credit card receipts or canceled checks do not contain sufficient detail for FSA reimbursement and are not accepted.

Submitting Your FSA Claim

Most FSA administrators offer several submission methods, including online portals, mobile applications, mail, or fax. Online submissions involve logging into your account, selecting a “submit claim” option, and uploading digital copies of your itemized receipts and any required medical documentation.

When submitting, you need to provide details such as the amount of the expense, the provider or merchant, the date of service or purchase, and the individual who received the service. After submission, claims are processed within two to five business days. Following approval, reimbursement funds are disbursed within an additional two to ten business days, depending on whether direct deposit or a paper check is used.

Retain copies of all submitted documents for your personal records, even after the claim has been processed. While the IRS does not specify an exact timeframe for retaining FSA receipts, general tax guidelines suggest keeping them for at least three years from the date you file your tax return for the year the expense occurred. This practice ensures you have proof of eligibility should any questions or audits arise.