Advocate Health Care
Benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts

 

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Eligible Health Care Expenses
Eligible expenses
As a participant in the Health Care FSA it’s important to understand what expenses are eligible and what expenses are not eligible for reimbursement. This is especially important to know since the list of eligible expenses has recently been expanded to include over-the-counter drugs. Not sure if you should participate? Review the list of eligible expenses and think again!

Medical and dental deductibles, copayments and coinsurance amounts
Prescription copayments
Expenses for over-the-counter drugs used to alleviate or treat an illness or injury
Hearing care expenses, and
Most medical, dental and vision care expenses which aren't covered by a medical or dental plan but are medically needed.

If you're unsure about whether an expense you might incur or have incurred may be reimbursed through the Health Care FSA, check with the Flexible Spending Accounts Administrator. Here are some specific expenses that may be reimbursed through the Health Care FSA:

Acupuncture performed by a licensed practitioner
Alcoholism or drug dependency payments to a treatment center
Psychotherapy by a licensed practitioner
Audio display television equipment for the deaf
Birth control pills, abortion or sterilization
Car controls for the handicapped
Contact lenses (needed for medical reasons)
Copayments
Crutches (purchase or rental)
Deductibles
Durable medical equipment
Experimental surgery
Eye exams
Glasses (needed for medical reasons)
Guide dog
Halfway house (care to help an individual adjust from life in a mental hospital to community living)
Hearing aids
Laboratory fees
Learning disability tutoring by licensed school or therapist for a dependent with a learning disability
Nursing home confinement for treatment of illness or injury
Nursing services by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse for medical care
Optometrist
Orthodontia
Over-the-counter drugs, including antacids, allergy medications, pain relievers and cold medicines
Physical exams
Prescription and certain over-the-counter medications
Psychologist (for services within scope of license)
Syringes, needles and injections
Therapy (for example, speech, physical or occupational) for medical purposes
Transplants
Vaccinations and immunizations
Wheelchairs, and
X-rays.

Important! If you enroll in the HDHP coverage option, any medical expenses you incur that are eligible for coverage under the High-Deductible Health Plan (including expenses for prescription drugs) will not be eligible for reimbursement through your Health Care FSA. The only health care expenses you can submit for reimbursement through your Health Care FSA will be those which are not eligible for coverage under the HDHP and which are eligible expenses under the Health Care FSA (including expenses for vision care, orthodontia and certain over-the-counter medications).

Ineligible expenses
You can not use the Health Care FSA to pay for expenses incurred while not making contributions to a flexible spending account, including:

Therapy or treatment not for medical care
Salary expenses of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) for the care of a normal and healthy newborn (even if such care may be needed due to the death of the mother)
Funeral and burial expenses
Household and domestic help (even if recommended by a physician due to an inability to perform physical housework by you or your dependents)
Contact lens insurance
Custodial care in an institution
Costs for sending a dependent child with special needs to a special school (even if the child may benefit from the course of study or disciplinary methods)
Expenses incurred in connection with an illegal operation or treatment
Health care equipment
Health club dues, YMCA dues, steam baths, etc.
Cosmetic surgery or procedures
Cosmetics, toiletries, toothpaste, etc.
Maternity clothes, diaper services, etc.
Vitamins taken for general health purposes or treatment of illness
Weight-loss programs for general health and well-being purposes
Bottled water
Health insurance premiums
Car insurance premiums, including the segment of premiums providing medical coverage for person injured in an accident with your car
Premiums paid for life insurance policies or for policies providing repayment for loss of earnings or for accidental loss of life, limb, sight, etc.
Vacation or travel taken for general health purposes, a change in environment, improvement of morale, etc., or taken to relieve physical or mental discomfort not related to a particular disease or defect
Social activities, such as dance lessons or classes (even if recommended by a physician for general health improvement)
Membership fees or costs associated with weight loss or stop-smoking programs for general health or well-being purposes
Uniforms, and 
Transportation expenses to and from work (even if a physical condition may require special means of transportation).