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Have you recently enrolled in a flexible spending account (FSA) through your employer's health insurance plan? Congratulations! This is a fantastic way to save money on yearly healthcare expenses, but FSAs come with a bit of learning curve to understand what is/isn't FSA eligible. While we have plenty of great resources at FSAstore.com like our FSA Learning Center or FSA Eligibility List to help you get started, specific products like vitamins and supplements are items customers ask about frequently.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sets the rules for FSA eligibility, and every product/service that is considered eligible falls under Internal Revenue code 213(d):
"The term “medical care" means amounts paid—for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body."
Are vitamins FSA eligible?
Vitamins are generally not FSA eligible. While one could make the argument that taking daily multivitamins can help ward off future health problems, they generally fall outside IRS regulations for FSA eligibility as they are products used to support one's "general health," and not used to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent a legitimate medical condition.
However, if a vitamin or supplement is prescribed to treat a medical condition, it could be eligible for reimbursement through an FSA with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). There are two notable exceptions that are eligible. Glucosamine and chondroitin are FSA eligible without the need for a prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a physician, as they are known to support joint health and prevent the breakdown of cartilage. Additionally, prenatal vitamins are also FSA eligible, as they have been proven to cover nutritional gaps in a mother's diet and reduce the risk of birth defects.
Lastly, if an FSA holder's doctor suggests a specific type of vitamin supplement to treat a medical condition, such as common treatments like biotin for enhanced metabolism or melatonin to improve one's sleep cycle, these will typically require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a doctor. This letter must outline how an account holder's medical condition necessitates a vitamin supplement, how the treatment will be used to alleviate the issue and how long the treatment will last. If the treatment plan exceeds the current plan year, another LMN will have to be provided to the benefits administrator to cover the duration of the treatment.
Lawmakers in Congress have recently introduced bills that would make vitamins and supplements FSA & HSA eligible! Visit taxfreebetter.com for more information on how to reach out to your local member of Congress to support making vitamins and supplements eligible!
For questions regarding your FSA and to shop the web's largest selection of FSA eligible items, visit FSAstore.com! We make it easy for you to maximize the potential of your employee benefits and support the wellness of you and your loved ones.—
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