Field Trips: FSA Eligibility

What are field trips?

Field trips are group excursions planned as part of a larger educational or care facility program. Field trips are often associated with elder care programs, day care programs, or special programs for individuals with medical conditions or necessities. Field trips, when stated as a separate activity for the purposes of accounting for expenses, are not eligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare account. Field trips may take place during the day or across several days, and may be led by a caretaker, specialized leader, or educator. Field trips may be planned as an educational or experiential supplement by visiting a museum, national park, historic landmark, etc. Field trips, regardless of their intended purpose, destination, caretaking arrangements, or composition can not be reimbursed under a consumer-directed healthcare account if they have been separately accounted for.

Expenses for day care, elder care, and other forms of dependent care that allow the account holder to pursue a full time education, seek gainful employment, or continue gainful employment must meet certain conditions to be eligible for reimbursement. If these expenses are broken down to include the costs of a field trip, then those costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Other expenses may qualify, but should first be verified by the consumer-directed healthcare account administrator (FSAFEDS).

In addition to field trips, other types of expenses which may be incurred at a dependent care facility or program which are not eligible for reimbursement include sports lessons, clothing, and meals.