Can I Use My FSA on Amazon? Here’s How

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an employer-sponsored benefit allowing individuals to set aside pre-tax money from their paycheck for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses. This account covers various healthcare costs, including medical, dental, and vision care, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in Publication 502. Many wonder if these funds can be used on platforms like Amazon, and the answer is yes, for eligible items.

Identifying Eligible Items on Amazon

To effectively use an FSA, understanding what qualifies as an eligible expense is important. The IRS defines medical expenses as costs for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for affecting any part or function of the body. This broad definition includes products beyond traditional doctor visits or prescriptions, such as over-the-counter medications, first-aid supplies, and some personal care items.

Amazon has a dedicated FSA/HSA store designed to simplify finding eligible products. You can access this store directly by searching for “FSA HSA store” on Amazon’s homepage. Within this specialized store, items are typically pre-identified as FSA or HSA eligible, making shopping more straightforward.

When browsing Amazon, eligible items often display an “FSA or HSA eligible” badge on their product detail page, usually near the price. Filters within search results can also help narrow options to show only FSA-eligible products. While Amazon’s system identifies most eligible items, it is advisable to check your specific FSA plan’s guidelines.

Using Your FSA Card for Purchases

Once eligible items are identified, using your FSA debit card on Amazon is a streamlined process. You can add your FSA card as a payment method to your Amazon account, similar to adding any other credit or debit card. Navigate to your account settings, select “Payment options,” and choose to add a new card, noting it as an FSA or HSA card if prompted.

At checkout, choose your FSA card as the payment method. Amazon’s system recognizes and separates eligible and ineligible items in your cart, charging only qualifying purchases to your FSA card. If your order includes both eligible and ineligible items, the FSA card covers the eligible portion, and you must use an alternative payment method for the rest. If the transaction exceeds your FSA balance or a system issue occurs, the card might be declined, requiring another payment form and potential reimbursement later.

The Reimbursement Process

If direct payment with an FSA card is not feasible, such as if the card is declined or you used a personal credit card for an eligible purchase, you can pay out-of-pocket. Then, seek reimbursement from your FSA administrator by submitting a claim with proper documentation to verify the expense.

Required documentation typically includes an itemized receipt or an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your medical provider. This documentation must clearly show:
The vendor name
Date of purchase or service
A detailed description of the item or service
The patient’s name
The amount paid

Credit card receipts alone are generally not sufficient as they often lack the necessary detailed description. Submit the required forms and receipts to your FSA administrator, usually through an online portal, fax, or mail, to receive reimbursement.