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At-home COVID-19 Tests are FSA, HSA Eligible

 

There’s another item you can use your pre-tax benefits for:  at-home COVID-19 tests.  On Friday, September 10, the IRS released an update that identifies at-home COVID-19 tests as an eligible expense for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and certain types of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).  P&A’s vendor partner, FSA Store, offers at-home COVID-19 tests and thousands of other pre-approved items.  You can browse eligible expenses here.

 

Other items meant to aid in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic are also eligible for reimbursement.  Personal protective equipment (PPE), like face masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes can also be purchased with your pre-tax reimbursement account.

 

Other Expenses are Newly Eligible

Under the 2020 CARES Act, a years-long IRS rule was finally overturned which allows for over-the-counter medications (OTC) to be eligible for reimbursement.  Previously, OTC medications required a prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity Form in order to be reimbursed.  With the removal of these requirements, reimbursement account participants have greater flexibility with their account and can stretch their healthcare dollars further.

 

Sample Eligible Expenses

Whether you’re in the middle of your plan year, or are in Open Enrollment, here is a quick overview of items that are now eligible with your FSA or HSA and some types of HRAs, depending on your plan design.  (Please check with your HRA guidelines to determine eligibility.)

 

Fight COVID-19 with these eligible products:

  • At-home COVID-19 tests
  • Face masks
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Sanitizing wipes

 

Stay healthy with OTC medications, including:
  • Analgesics, like fever and pain reducers (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
  • Allergy medications, nasal sprays
  • Cold medicines, tablets, syrups, cough drops and lozenges

 

Feminine care is also eligible
  • Menstrual care products, like tampons and pads

 

P&A Participant Support Center

Questions about your account? Contact P&A’s Participant Support Center for assistance Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET.  Participant Support Specialists are available through online chat or at (716) 852-2611.

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