Eligibility Guide
What's FSA Eligible? The Complete Guide
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Get the appHow FSA eligibility actually works
Every eligibility question traces back to one definition: IRS Publication 502 and Section 213(d), which cover expenses for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Products that treat or monitor a medical condition qualify. Products that promote general health — however genuinely healthy — usually don't.
Over-the-counter medicines and menstrual products no longer require a prescription to qualify. For borderline items — where a product could be either medical or general-purpose — a Letter of Medical Necessity from your provider can move it into eligible territory. And your plan administrator has the final say on any individual claim, so plan documents always trump a general rule.
The guides below go item by item: the verdict, the IRS reasoning, the edge cases, and what to do when a claim gets rejected.
Item-by-item eligibility guides
Are Bandages FSA and HSA Eligible? Full IRS Rules
yes, bandages are FSA and HSA eligible without a prescription.
Read the full guide →Are Contact Lenses FSA Eligible? Rules & Edge Cases
prescription contact lenses, contact lens solution, and most lens care supplies are FSA and HSA eligible under IRS rules.
Read the full guide →Are Reading Glasses FSA Eligible? Edge Cases Explained
Yes — reading glasses are FSA and HSA eligible, including standard OTC readers, without a prescription.
Read the full guide →Are Vitamins FSA Eligible? Which Ones Qualify and Why
most vitamins are NOT FSA eligible because the IRS requires expenses to treat a specific disease or condition — not support general health.
Read the full guide →Is a Thermometer FSA Eligible? IRS Rules Explained
yes, a thermometer is FSA eligible. It qualifies as a diagnostic medical device under IRS Section 213(d) — no prescription required.
Read the full guide →Is Sunscreen FSA/HSA Eligible? Complete Guide
sunscreen is FSA/HSA eligible if it's SPF 15 or higher, labeled broad-spectrum, and sold as an FDA-regulated OTC drug with a Drug Facts panel.
Read the full guide →Which Sunglasses Are Actually FSA Eligible? A Type-by-Type Guide
prescription sunglasses are FSA eligible; non-prescription sunglasses generally are not—unless a licensed provider documents medical necessity for a specific di
Read the full guide →Which Tylenol Products Are FSA Eligible?
Tylenol is FSA eligible. Standard tablets, liquids, extended-release formulas, children's versions, and most combination products all qualify.
Read the full guide →