FSA-Eligible expense: Acupuncture
Often seen as alternative medicine, acupuncture comes from a Chinese form of medicine that is supposed to help the body “unblock” and influence your chi (energy flow) to restore a natural balance.
You might be surprised to learn that acupuncture is considered an eligible expense for reimbursement with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Flexible Spending Accounts allow consumers to set aside pre-tax money for qualified out-of-pocket dental, vision and medical expenses. Acupuncture is often not covered by regular health insurance plans, so if you’re curious about this type of treatment or want to schedule your next appointment, take advantage of your FSA.
As a New York Times article advises, “Even if your insurer will not reimburse you, your flexible spending account might – if you have one. Using flex-spending dollars to pay for treatments can reduce the cost by 20 percent of so, depending on your tax bracket. Look on your employer’s list of approved expenses to see whether acupuncture is included.”
According to WebMD, acupuncture can be used to alleviate different kinds of pain.
Here’s a short list of items that acupuncture can treat:
- Lower back pain
- Chronic headaches (migraines)
- Menstrual cramps
- Rehabilitation for stroke
- Myofascial pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Asthma/Allergy relief
Did you know hot/cold therapy packs are also FSA eligible? Hot and cold packs can alleviate all types of pain (that acupuncture targets) as well, and are handy to have around home, or take with you when traveling. Check out the FSAstore.com selection of FSA eligible hot/cold packs.
You can also browse the FSAstore.com Eligibility List to learn more about FSA eligible expenses. If ever confused about eligibility, it’s best to consult your FSA administrator (or contact your HR department at work) to find out what’s covered under your FSA.