Health Screenings: FSA Eligibility

What are health screenings?

Health screenings are tests that look for diseases or medical conditions based on exhibited symptoms. Health screenings can find diseases early and are especially helpful in coordinating early treatment. Health screenings are an important part of obtaining the best possible, most effective treatment for diseases. Health screenings can help detect breast and cervical cancer in women, colorectal cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and prostate cancer in men. Other common health screenings include cardiac risk assessments, various types of cancer screenings, STD tests, genetic testing, senior health screenings, sexual health screenings, and more (Johns Hopkins Medicine).

Health screenings are eligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare account. They are usually performed in a doctor's office or hospital. After consulting with a doctor regarding symptoms and concerned, a health screening may be ordered by the doctor to check for the possibility of a disease or medical condition. Health screenings take a variety of forms and may require travel to a facility, or require a delay while collected samples are sent to a laboratory for testing. Health screenings must be performed in a medical setting, and a doctor will arrange a health screening after conferring with the patient regarding symptoms and issues.

Check with a physician to obtain guidelines determined by the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in order to better understand which health screenings are recommended at intervals or certain lifestyle stages, and which health screenings are recommended based on experienced symptoms or observations of personal health.