Can You Buy a Breast Pump With an HSA?

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) offer a way to pay for qualified medical expenses with tax advantages. Contributions to an HSA are typically tax-deductible, funds grow tax-free, and withdrawals for eligible expenses are also tax-free. These accounts provide a flexible financial tool for individuals and families managing healthcare costs. HSAs are designed to work in conjunction with high-deductible health plans, allowing account holders to save for current and future medical needs.

Breast Pump Eligibility for HSA

Breast pumps and related supplies are eligible medical expenses for HSA purposes, as explicitly included in IRS guidance. The IRS classifies these items as medical equipment used for affecting a structure or function of the lactating woman’s body. This classification means they directly relate to medical care, making them eligible without a doctor’s prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).

This eligibility extends beyond the pump itself to include various accessories that facilitate lactation. These include:
Breast milk storage bottles
Storage bags
Tubing
Repair parts for the pump

Other related supplies like nursing pads and nipple balms are also eligible if they assist lactation. Retain detailed receipts for all purchases to substantiate their eligibility.

Using Your HSA for Purchase or Reimbursement

Utilizing your HSA for eligible medical expenses like a breast pump can be done through direct payment or reimbursement. Many HSA providers issue a debit card linked directly to your account, usable at the point of sale, whether in a physical store or online. This method simplifies the transaction, much like using a regular debit card. When using your HSA debit card, ensure the merchant can process it as a healthcare expense.

Alternatively, you can pay for the breast pump out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement from your HSA. This process involves submitting a claim to your HSA administrator, often through an online portal or a paper form. For reimbursement, you will need to provide detailed, itemized receipts that clearly show the date of purchase, vendor’s name, item description, and amount paid. Maintaining thorough records of all HSA-related expenditures is important for tax purposes and in case of an IRS audit.

Other Eligible Maternity and Baby Expenses

Beyond breast pumps, many other maternity and baby-related expenses are HSA-eligible. These include costs associated with prenatal and postnatal care, such as doctor visits, ultrasounds, and childbirth classes. Expenses related to childbirth, including labor and delivery fees, are also covered.

Certain medical supplies for the baby, like baby breathing monitors, are eligible. Services such as lactation consulting are qualified medical expenses. Fertility treatments and certain over-the-counter items that are medically necessary are also eligible expenses.