Are Diapers FSA Eligible – Overview
Having a child can change your life forever. It also increases your monthly expenses in several ways. Any small or big strategies to save as much money as possible can make a huge difference in your financial situation and expenses, especially after having a child.
Flexible Spending Accounts or FSA can come in really handy in this situation. However, you can not buy everything for your baby using an FSA card.
What is FSA?
FSA or Flexible Spending Account can be considered as a savings account that you can use to set aside your money to pay for healthcare services and specific healthcare products. You can use your FSA money for different deductibles or copayments.
Your employer can offer you FSAs and all their benefits. You can choose the amount of money you want to keep in that account per year while enrolling for a Flexible Spending Account. This money will be deducted from your salary.
Some employers can also pay for the FSA funds in certain situations. FSA can also allow you to pay for different things in a non-taxable way.
There are two main types of Flexible Spending Accounts: dependent care and healthcare. You can use healthcare FSAs to pay for specific healthcare products and services. Dependent care FSAs are generally used to pay for elderly care and childcare expenses.
However, you just check with your administrator to figure out the expenses that are eligible for reimbursement with FSA cards.
Are Diapers FSA Eligible?
The average expense of diapers is around $1,000 every year for most parents. Unfortunately, you can not buy diapers for infants and newborns with your FSA cards.
However, diapers can relieve your baby from some specific diseases and health conditions. Some medical professionals or pediatricians can qualify diapers with an LMN or Letter of Medical Necessity.
Why Are Diapers Not Eligible for FSA Reimbursement?
Items that are only used for diagnosis, relief, and the treatment process of some medical conditions or diseases are eligible for reimbursement. Infant diapers are considered a necessary general health product.
However, in some special situations, for adults and older children, diapers can be considered eligible for FSA reimbursement. Older children or adults only use diapers to treat an underlying medical condition.
You must check with your administrator to understand the benefits and eligibility of the reimbursement in certain situations. Their explanation will help you to understand the procedure and take the next step.
What Are Some Other Baby Products Non-eligible for FSA?
Multiple other baby products are non-eligible for FSA reimbursement.
Infant Formula
Infant formula is a common product purchased by parents. However, they are not FSA-eligible. Parents can get some exciting discounts during sales or by using some coupons.
Baby Bottles
Baby bottles are not eligible for FSA reimbursement. However, you can reuse the same bottle by replacing the nipple and saving some money.
Baby Clothes
Babies grow out of their clothes very fast. Every parent buys so many clothes online and offline for their baby. However, baby clothes do not fall under FSA eligibility.
FSA Eligible Baby Products
There are plenty of baby products that you can buy with an FSA card and save some money.
Are Diapers FSA Eligible – FSA Eligible Baby Products
1. Toddler Training Pants
Tidler nighttime underwear and toddler training pants are FSA-eligible merchandise. These products are often used to protect your kids against incontinence. Toddler training pants can come in really handy while you are potty training your kids. They can wear it all day and night.
2. Medicator
It is not easy to get your kids to take their medicine in case of any medical condition. They often split up the medicine if they do not like the taste of it. Medicator is a pacifier-shaped dispenser that is designed to bypass your kid’s test buds when they take some liquid medicine.
3. Baby Thermometers
You can buy any type of thermometer, including forehead, ear, and rectal, by using FSAs. According to most pediatricians, the rectal thermometer often gives more accuracy.
However, you can only use those if your child can tolerate them. Forehead thermometers are more comfortable for your kids, but they can be quite costly.
The Baby Temp Smartphone Thermometers can display the temperature of anything, including bathwater, nursing bottles, and your kid’s forehead. You can also track the results on your smartphone because this device can sync data to any smartphone.
4. Baby Eyewear
You can use your FSA card to pay for your kid’s vision exams. You can purchase cleansing wipes and corrective eyewear for your kids as well.
5. Nose Wipes
Wet nasal saline wipes are used when kids have runny or stuffy noses. It can reduce nasal congestion and help your kid feel better. A nasal aspirator can also help clean the nasal passage in case of a runny nose. You can buy both these items with FSA reimbursement.
6. Baby Sunscreen
With your FSA card, you can buy any type of baby sunscreen, including spray, lotion, cream, and stick form. Pediatricians often advise using mineral and physical sunscreen for your kids. However, you can also buy mineral and chemical sunscreens with your FSA card.
8. Bread Pump and Accessories
Breast pumps can help new mothers pump their breast milk into a bottle and store it for use later. You can buy any breast pump accessories, including storage bags, breast shields, and cleansing wipes, by using g your FSA cards.
Mothers can also buy lactation massagers to reduce pain, relieve clogged ducts, and improve milk flow.
9. Lactation Consultant
New mothers can always hire a lactation consultant by using their FSA cards. A consultant can help new mothers to deal with all the potential problems and get through them.
10. Baby Ointments and Creams
You can use your FSA cards to pay for healing ointments or creams if your baby has certain skin conditions, including diaper rash, eczema, and dermatitis.
Conclusion
You can only use your FSA cards to pay for something that is used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any medical condition. Baby diapers are often considered a general health product and are non-eligible for FSA reimbursement.
However, there are multiple other baby products that you can purchase using your FSA cards and save so much money.
See Also
Does Walmart Accept FSA Cards Online?
How Much is it to Have a Baby Without Insurance?
I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
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