Are Blood Pressure Monitors FSA Eligible?

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow individuals to set aside pre-tax money for eligible healthcare expenses. These funds are not subject to federal income, Social Security, or Medicare taxes, helping to reduce out-of-pocket medical costs and make healthcare more affordable.

Understanding FSA Eligibility

An expense qualifies as “eligible” for FSA reimbursement if it falls under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) definition of medical care. This definition broadly covers amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for affecting any structure or function of the body. It includes the costs of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices. Expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation, are typically not covered.

Eligible expenses include medical, dental, and vision care services and products, such as prescription medications, co-pays, eyeglasses, and certain over-the-counter products. The IRS provides detailed guidance in Publication 502. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, effective January 1, 2020, expanded eligibility to include over-the-counter drugs without a prescription and menstrual care products.

Blood Pressure Monitors and FSA Eligibility

Blood pressure monitors are eligible for reimbursement through a Flexible Spending Account. These devices are considered qualified medical expenses because they are used for the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, specifically high blood pressure. High blood pressure affects a significant portion of adults and can lead to serious health issues like heart attacks and strokes. Using a blood pressure monitor at home allows individuals to track their readings, which aids in managing their condition and recognizing potential concerns that require medical attention.

For standard blood pressure monitors, a prescription or a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is generally not required for FSA eligibility. They are categorized as diagnostic devices, which typically qualify for reimbursement without additional documentation beyond a detailed receipt. This makes it easier to purchase these tools using pre-tax FSA funds.

Using Your FSA for Eligible Purchases

Utilizing FSA funds for eligible expenses involves straightforward processes, through an FSA debit card or by submitting claims for reimbursement. An FSA debit card, which functions much like a regular debit card, is linked to your Flexible Spending Account. This card allows for direct payment at the point of sale for eligible medical products and services, automatically deducting the cost from your FSA balance. When using the card, it is often recommended to choose “credit” at checkout, even though it is a debit card.

For expenses not paid directly with the FSA debit card, or if substantiation is requested, participants need to submit a claim for reimbursement. This process requires providing specific documentation, such as an itemized receipt or an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from an insurance carrier. The documentation must clearly show the provider’s name, date of service, type of service, patient’s name, and the amount charged. Keeping meticulous records of all FSA-related purchases and documentation is important, as the IRS may request itemized receipts to verify eligibility, and generally recommends retaining tax records for at least three years.