Baby Oil: FSA Eligibility

Baby Oil: reimbursement is not eligible with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Baby oil is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

What is baby oil?

Baby oil is a moisturizer that is safe to use on a baby's skin, and typically consists of mineral oil that is enhanced with fragrance. Mineral oil is a catch-all term that constitutes a wide variety of potential products, which typically consists of higher alkanes and is closely related to petroleum jelly and other petroleum distillates. Baby oil acts as an emollient for a child's skin, as it can moisturize the upper layers of the epidermis, decrease itching and flaking and can protect from future skin irritation (LiveAbout).

How does baby oil differ from other moisturizers?

A baby's skin is far more sensitive than adult's, as babies have not yet developed an "acid mantle," a protective layer of secretions from glands underneath the skin that discourage the growth of fungi and bacteria that can lead to a wide variety of potential health issues. Additionally, this layer is the body's means of naturally moisturizing the skin, but during the first few months of a baby's life, the acid mantle's protection against microorganisms is not as effective.

Because most moisturizers aim to support the health of adult skin that has a pH of 5.5 or higher, baby oil acts as a safe and effective means of protecting a baby's skin from dryness, adding an extra barrier to prevent excess moisture loss and helping to rejuvenate dry, cracked skin (The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne).

Why isn't baby oil reimbursement covered?

According to Internal Revenue Code 213(d), which defines medical care as it relates to qualified medical expenses, "medical care includes 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."

Because baby oil is not primarily used to prevent or alleviate specific medical condition, it is not eligible for reimbursement with an FSA, HSA, HRA, LPFSA or DCFSA.

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