Are Diapers FSA Eligible?

Are Diapers FSA Eligible – Overview

Having a child can change your life forever and increase your monthly expenses in several ways. Any small or big strategy 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 FSAs, can come in really handy in this situation. However, using an FSA card does not mean you can buy everything for your baby.

What is FSA

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a special account you use to save pre-tax dollars for eligible healthcare expenses. 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.

Employers may contribute to your FSA, but this is at their discretion. 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. Healthcare FSAs can be used to pay for specific healthcare products and services, while dependent care FSAs are generally used to pay for elderly care and childcare expenses.

However, you should check with your plan administrator to determine which expenses are eligible for reimbursement with FSA funds.

Are Diapers FSA Eligible

Most parents spend around $1,000 yearly on diapers. Diapers for infants and newborns are generally not eligible for purchase with FSA funds.

Diapers may be eligible for FSA reimbursement if accompanied by a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a healthcare provider for specific health conditions.

Why Are Diapers Not Eligible for FSA Reimbursement

Items only used for diagnosis, relief, and treatment of some medical conditions or diseases are eligible for reimbursement. Infant diapers are considered a necessary general health product.

Adult diapers and those for older children with a medical necessity can be 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 may be FSA-eligible if prescribed by a healthcare provider for a specific medical condition.

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 handy while you are potty training your kids. They can wear it all day and night.

2. Medicator

Getting your kids to take their medicine in case of any medical condition is not easy. They often split up the medicine if they do not like the taste of it. Medicator is a pacifier-shaped dispenser designed to bypass your kid’s test buds when taking liquid medicine.

3. Baby Thermometers

You can buy any type of thermometer, including forehead, ear, and rectal, 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 child’s vision exams and to purchase cleansing wipes and corrective eyewear.

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

You can buy baby sunscreen with your FSA card, 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. Breast Pump and Accessories

Breast pumps can help new mothers pump their breast milk into a bottle and store it for use later. With your FSA funds, you can buy breast pump accessories, including storage bags, breast shields, and cleansing wipes.

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 using their FSA cards. A consultant can help new mothers deal with all the potential problems and overcome 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 to diagnose, treat, or prevent 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.

Grants for Medical