5 surprising FSA-eligible medical procedures

Our mission at FSAstore.com is to help you maximize the potential of your flexible spending accounts and help you understand how critical an FSA can be in covering your family's healthcare needs. That's why we put together the web's largest selection of FSA-eligible products.

Products and services become qualified for FSA reimbursement when they have an inherent medical purpose. So, FSAs can potentially cover medical procedures that fall outside of your physician network or insurance co-pays. Here are a few medical procedures and specialties that you may be surprised to find are FSA-eligible!

1. LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK is one of the most common eye surgeries to correct vision issues. It utilizes a special cutting laser to change the shape of the cornea to improve the patient's vision, reports The Mayo Clinic. LASIK is typically a major expense and may or may not be covered by your insurance plan, but it can be covered in full with funds from your FSA.

2. Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment has persisted as an insurance coverage question for decades, but the IRS ruled that this treatment is FSA-eligible and can be paid for with tax-free funds. According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractic services are used most often to treat neuro-musculoskeletal issues, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

3. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is primarily used as a form of pain relief, and while results may vary greatly between patients, promising results have emerged in the treatment of a number of specific medical conditions. For instance, acupuncture has proven effective in reducing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, as well as reducing discomfort from dental pain and the rehabilitative process following major surgery, reports The Mayo Clinic.

According to the same Mayo Clinic article, acupuncture has also been known to relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, labor pains, and muscle and joint injuries. So, as long as the treatment is deemed medically necessary by a doctor, acupuncture is FSA-eligible (although your benefits administrator may require certain types of supporting documentation to approve the charge).

Please note the differences between acupuncture and acupressure, which also falls within FSA guidelines.

4. Smoking Cessation Programs

When it's finally time to kick your habit, smoking cessation programs can dramatically increase your chances of quitting for good. In addition to nicotine patches, inhalers and gums that are FSA-eligible smoking cessation programs is also an eligible service covered by an FSA. These programs are typically healthcare provider-assisted programs, but they can also be hosted by municipal, state and federal healthcare networks, nonprofits, and private institutions. Entry fees and other fees associated with the program would be eligible for FSA reimbursement.

5. Counseling

Recovering from a major medical episode is not only reserved to just one's physical health. Supporting one's recovery with mental health services like counseling can aid the healing process and give patients the support they need to get well. As long as counseling services are directly related to one's medical treatment, the cost of these services would be eligible for FSA reimbursement.

For more information about what your benefit covers, explore the FSAstore.com Eligibility List and check our blog often for the latest news and information about your employee benefits!

*Note that not all FSAs cover all FSA-eligible expenses as they may be limited by the plan. Always check with your HR department or FSA benefits administrator on exactly what your FSA will cover.*

Sources:

https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Why-Choose-Chiropractic/What-is-Chiropractic

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/home/ovc-20322371

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/acupuncture/basics/definition/prc-20020778