Workplace Benefits
2023 FSA-Eligible Items & FSA-Eligible Expenses
A flexible spending account (FSA) can help you save money on healthcare expenses for you and your family.
For 2023, employees can set aside up to $3,050 for healthcare FSAs or limited purpose FSAs (LP-FSA), with a maximum of $2,500 for married couples filing taxes separately or $5,000 per household for dependent care FSAs (DC-FSAs).1
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determines what’s considered an eligible medical expense, and the eligibility also depends on the type of FSA you have like a healthcare FSA, dependent care FSA or limited purpose FSA.2 Read on to see what items and expenses are FSA eligible and where you can use your FSA dollars.
Categories of FSA-eligible items
If you’re looking for a quick list, below are some categories of FSA-eligible items and a few examples. Remember to check with your plan administrator to confirm the items are eligible with your FSA before you decide to purchase any products.
- Home healthcare: Thermometers, pain relief devices, blood pressure monitors, medical alert devices, blood sugar test kits, and more
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: Cough, cold, flu, allergy, asthma, pain relief, and more
- Baby and child supplies: Breast pumps, bed mats, bedwetting underwear, baby monitors, and more
- Skin care: Sunscreen, acne products, medicated lip balms, and more
- Eye care: Contact lenses, eye solutions, lens cleaning cloths, and more
- Oral care: Pain relief, water flossers, denture cleanser tablets, and more
- Foot care: Orthotics, foot creams, callus and corn removers, blister treatment, and more
- Digestive health: Heartburn relief, antacid tablets, laxatives, acid reflux pillows, and more
- Vitamins: Prenatal, nutritional supplements, multivitamins, and more
- First aid supplies: Bandages, pain relief creams, antibiotic ointments, first aid kits, and more
- Sexual health medications and products: OTC and prescription birth control, condoms, ED medications, fertility tests, and more
- Menstrual products: Pads, tampons, menstrual underwear, menstrual pain relief, and more
- Incontinence supplies: Pads, underwear, bed under pads, and more
- Smoking cessation: Programs, products, and more
The FSA Store has a detailed list of eligible items and expenses you can look at, which includes a search feature to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.3 While it’s a comprehensive list, not all items may be eligible with every FSA plan.
Categories of FSA-eligible expenses
Below is a list of some common expenses that are eligible to use FSA funds on. Remember to check with your plan administrator to confirm the expense is eligible with your FSA.
- Health insurance copayments, office visits, co-insurance payments, and deductibles
- Dental work and orthodontia
- Vision expenses, eyeglasses, and contact lenses
- Prescriptions
- Therapy and counseling services
- Chiropractic care and acupuncture
- Hospital fees, surgery, and diagnostic services
- Allergy testing
For even more services you may be able to use your FSA funds toward, check out the search feature of the FSA Store’s comprehensive list of eligible expenses.3
Expenses and items that aren’t FSA eligible
While FSA funds can be used toward many expenses, there are some limits. The comprehensive eligibility list also includes items that aren’t eligible.3 Here are a few examples:
- Adult and child day care
- Aromatherapy
- Health insurance premiums
- Latex gloves
- Shampoo
- Toothbrushes
- Weight loss supplements
Where you can buy FSA-eligible items
Typically, you can use your FSA dollars on eligible expenses at places like drug stores, grocery stores, doctor offices, vision centers, dentists, hospitals, and other medical offices.
You can also purchase FSA-approved items online — so you have options depending on what works best for you.
How to use your FSA funds
Some FSA administrators and plans may issue FSA cards to use for purchases.4 This card acts as a debit card, pulling money from your FSA account. If you have an FSA card, make sure the store or medical office you’re at accepts the card. If you don’t have an FSA card, or the place doesn’t accept them, you can typically pay for the items out of pocket and then submit the required paperwork to your FSA administrator to get reimbursed.
It’s important to know that no matter how you pay, whatever you’re planning to use your FSA dollars for must be considered an eligible expense.
Learn about MetLife Health Savings & Spending Accounts
1 “Flexible Spending Accounts Program – New 2023 Limits For The HCFSA And LEX HCFSA” Office of Human Resources, 2023
2 “What are Qualified Medical Expenses?” U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2021
3 “The Complete FSA Eligibility List,” FSA Store®
4 “Guide to Using Your FSA Card,” FSA Store®
Nothing in these materials is intended to apply to a particular individual's financial situation.