5 Ways to Use Your FSA Dollars to Support Mental Health

How to use your Flexible Spending Account for mental health

If you're wrestling with mental health issues, you're not alone. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults in the United States struggles with mental illness every year. Unfortunately, health insurance plans are still making it difficult to get treatment, with strict eligibility for coverage and lack of access to providers. While this can lead to high treatment costs, your FSA could help ease the financial burden. 

1. Prioritize your annual physical 

If you have been skipping your annual physical, it may be time to make those appointments a priority. Here's why: Your doctor could diagnose an underlying condition, like diabetes, that could be contributing to your mental health issues. Your doctor may also identify adverse side effects from one of your medications. (Mayo Clinic)   

Although many health plans cover preventative care, including depression or alcohol misuse screenings, your diagnostic tests could cost extra. Luckily, you can use your FSA to pay for any bills you receive after your visit.

Even without another chronic health problem, your physician could be a reliable resource, providing referrals for a therapist or psychiatrist if needed.

2. Start seeing a therapist

Whether you're navigating a one-time crisis or ongoing challenges, working with a licensed therapist can be an effective way to develop healthier coping strategies. Over time, you may also boost your communication skills and improve your relationships. 

While many health insurance plans cover therapy, you may have trouble finding the right in-network provider, especially if you need someone with specific types of expertise, and paying for therapy out-of-pocket can be costly. 

According to GoodTherapy, a mental health provider directory, therapists’ average rate can range from $65 to over $250, depending on their location, the provider's credentials, and more. 

The good news is mental health therapy, including virtual appointments like those available from BetterHelp, is an FSA eligible expense. You can use your account to cover the cost of your sessions or get reimbursed.

3. Meet with a psychiatrist 

For an acute disorder, it may be helpful to meet with a psychiatrist. These medical doctors specialize in mental and behavioral health and may diagnose your condition. After getting diagnosed, you can work with your doctor on finding the right treatment, which could include psychotherapy, medication, a combination of both, and more. (Psychiatry.org)

The problem is only 55% of psychiatrists accept health insurance, compared with physician specialists in other medical fields, according to a 2015 study from JAMA Psychiatry. This constraint makes it difficult to find the right professional. But there is a solution: using your FSA funds to pay for psychiatrist visits. 

4. Consider taking medication

Depending on your diagnosis, your psychiatrist may prescribe a medication to manage your mental illness. These medications may include antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and more. 

While some medications can be costly, your doctor may prescribe the less expensive generic vs. the brand name drug. Regardless of whether there is a generic drug available or your doctor insists on the brand name, you can use your FSA to cover the cost.

5. Evaluate your sleep habits

If getting enough sleep is a constant battle, you could be suffering from a sleep disorder. According to the Sleep Foundation, about one in three Americans have trouble sleeping at least once per week. While anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or another mental illness may contribute to sleep disorders, your trouble sleeping may also be caused by another condition. 

You can start by speaking with your primary care physician. They may suggest getting a sleep study, which could identify disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, sleepwalking, periodic limb movement disorder, and more. 

If your health insurance doesn't cover the sleep study, it may be FSA eligible. Before scheduling the sleep study, though, be sure to contact your insurance company and FSA plan administrator.

Which mental health expenses are FSA eligible?

While FSAs offer tax benefits, you can only use the money for "qualified medical expenses." This IRS-approved list includes mental health-related services like therapy, psychologist visits, psychiatric care, alcoholism treatment, and more. Services like marriage counseling would not be eligible. Check out our comprehensive FSA Eligibility List to find out exactly what's covered. And if you have any doubts about what's allowed under your personal FSA plan, be sure to contact your benefits administrator.

According to GoodRx, acceptable FSA therapy costs can include:

Psychotherapy session: Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is an essential form of treatment for many types of mental health conditions. Because health insurance doesn’t always cover all of the cost of treatment, using your FSA to pay for the difference can be financially savvy.

Medication prescribed by a psychiatrist: If your doctor or psychiatrist prescribes medication to treat symptoms of a mental health condition, this would be a qualified expense that you could be reimbursed for.

Inpatient psychiatric care: Prescription medication that’s prescribed to treat a mental health condition is generally eligible for FSA reimbursement. This can be a welcome relief if you have prescriptions with high co-pay amounts or that your insurance doesn’t cover.

Mileage allowance: Mileage to travel to and from appointments, as well as the cost of tolls and parking, can be reimbursed by your FSA. You must be diligent about recording the miles so you can verify any travel expense. Only travel related to medically necessary appointments is allowed. 

Transportation: Transportation is an eligible expense that can be covered by an FSA. You might need to document the reason for transportation, which can typically be done through a prescription or a diagnosis.

Lodging and meal allowance: If you have to travel more than 50 miles away from your home for therapy, your FSA account can reimburse you for up to $50 per person per night. 

Psychiatric care: Psychiatric care is a covered FSA expense because psychiatrists are medical specialists. Both the cost for therapy and medication would be eligible.

Specialized treatment care: Several types of medical treatment that rely on specialized medical care would be an eligible expense. For example, substance-abuse clinics that offer inpatient treatments would qualify. Acupuncture used for either physical or mental health care treatment might also be allowed. Finally, transportation to get to and from community group meetings or other outpatient sessions, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), qualify. 

Gym membership or health club dues: If you have a diagnosed mental health condition with doctor-recommended exercise as part of your medical treatment plan, you might be able to get your gym membership reimbursed through your FSA. Note that you may need a letter of medical necessity (LMN).

Over-the-counter (OTC) products: Several household products and OTC items are eligible for reimbursement. Many of them you can get directly from FSA Store. OTC products that are specific to mental health care like herbal supplements and a light therapy machine to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) could qualify with a letter of medical necessity from a medical practitioner.

Make the most of your Flexible Spending Account

Unfortunately, mental health stigma still makes it difficult for some to seek treatment, but the sooner you begin, the faster the relief may come. Mental health issues can be a life-long challenge, but you may find it's easier to get healthy or manage a chronic condition with a proactive approach. Mental health treatment—therapy, medication, self-care—have made recovery a reality for most people experiencing mental illness. Although taking the first steps can be confusing or difficult, it's important to start exploring options.

Prioritize visits with your primary care physician to cover your general health and well-being. If you need a therapist or psychiatrist, they may have suggestions for who to see. Depending on your situation, medication may be necessary to manage your illness. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise shifts.

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