According to IRS guidance, weight loss programs qualify for FSA reimbursement only if they are recommended by a doctor for the treatment of specific medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or obesity, for example. Some FSA plans will cover weight-loss programs as long as they meet specific requirements. Federal law states that the weight-loss program must be recommended by a doctor authorized to treat a specific medical condition. For example, if you have diabetes and your doctor wants you to lose weight to help control your blood sugar level, you may qualify.
The doctor will need to write a letter explaining why the weight loss program is medically necessary. You will then need to send this letter along with the receipt of program fees to receive reimbursement of the expense. When you enroll in a Medical Weight Loss Clinic program, you and the staff will determine the length of your program based on how much weight you want to lose and how quickly you want to lose it. People who have dental problems can be happy to know that dental implants are covered by an FSA plan.
For example, if you are thinking about having LASIK surgery, schedule the surgery for next year and set aside additional money in your FSA to pay for it. Some FSAs may require a Medical Necessity Letter (LMN) or a similar form of documentation in order to receive reimbursement for these expenses. Make sure you understand your company's FSA terms so you don't risk losing any of your money. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), you may be looking for a meaningful way to use those funds before losing them at the end of the year.
The first step for people interested in using an FSA or HSA account to pay for MWLC services and products is to consult with their plan administrator. To qualify for FSA funds, you must first get a prescription from your doctor for the smoking cessation program. If you don't need to lose weight to help treat a medical condition, your FSA may not cover the costs. Acupuncture is often used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, depression, addiction, and symptoms of cancer treatments, and may be considered an allowable expense under some FSA plans.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) allow you to save money before taxes to use toward certain eligible out-of-pocket healthcare costs. However, if your doctor diagnoses a condition and recommends these products as a treatment for it, supplements qualify as FSA eligible items, according to the IRS. Individuals with an FSA or HSA account determine the amount they would like to contribute to this account and these funds are deposited before tax. If you want to get the most out of your benefits, check out these amazing articles that are eligible for the FSA and learn how to use your FSA to save on healthcare costs.
To be safe, assume that you will need a prescription from a medical professional to ensure that you are properly covered by your FSA funds.
