Can You Use HSA on Amazon? Here’s How It Works
Discover how to effectively use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to purchase eligible items directly on Amazon, simplifying healthcare shopping.
Discover how to effectively use your Health Savings Account (HSA) to purchase eligible items directly on Amazon, simplifying healthcare shopping.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) offer a tax-advantaged way for individuals to save for qualified medical expenses. These accounts are paired with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), allowing participants to contribute pre-tax dollars, which can grow tax-free and be withdrawn tax-free for eligible healthcare costs. It is possible to use HSA funds on Amazon for eligible purchases, streamlining access to healthcare products.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines what constitutes a qualified medical expense for HSA purposes, outlined in IRS Publication 502. These expenses cover a broad range of medical, dental, and vision care, such as diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. Examples include doctor visits, prescription medications, dental work, and vision care. Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications and products, such as pain relievers, allergy medications, and first-aid supplies, are also considered eligible expenses without requiring a prescription.
Eligible expenses extend to medical devices like blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, and CPAP machines. Certain health and wellness products, such as prenatal vitamins and some orthopedic supports, can also qualify. However, expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, like vitamins without a specific medical purpose or cosmetic procedures not correcting a deformity, are generally not eligible. Individuals are responsible for proving the eligibility of expenses in case of an IRS audit, so retain receipts for all HSA purchases.
Amazon has established a dedicated FSA/HSA store to help find eligible products. This specialized store allows users to browse items pre-approved by IRS guidelines and the Special Interest Group for Inventory Standards (SIGIS). When navigating Amazon, customers can search for specific healthcare products and look for an “FSA or HSA Eligible” label displayed on the product page. This label indicates that the item meets the necessary criteria for purchase with HSA funds.
Users can utilize filters within Amazon’s platform to display only HSA-eligible items. Not all eligible healthcare products on Amazon may be explicitly marked, even though the dedicated store and eligibility labels are helpful. Amazon identifies eligible products by matching UPCs from SIGIS with their catalog. If an item is not marked, individuals are still responsible for verifying its eligibility against IRS guidelines before purchase.
Purchasing HSA-eligible items on Amazon is straightforward, primarily using an HSA debit card. Customers can add their HSA debit card to their Amazon account as a payment method. At checkout, when purchasing eligible items, the HSA debit card can be selected to cover the cost.
If an HSA debit card does not function directly, or if a user prefers, purchases can be made using a personal credit or debit card. Individuals can then seek reimbursement from their HSA provider. This reimbursement process involves submitting a claim to the HSA administrator, along with proof of purchase from Amazon. This method offers flexibility while ensuring funds are used for qualified medical expenses.