Did you know that you can opt into a medical plan that can pay for your skin care in the United States? Depending on your plan, you can open up a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA). You can even get an HSA without a direct connection to an employer.
How To Use FSAs and HSAs To Buy Skin Care
While FSAs and HSAs differ, they pay for medically necessary skin care. For most plans, you’ll need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your healthcare provider. “Obtaining an LMN from your healthcare provider is important,” internal medicine physician and medical residency advisor for Ace Med Boards, Kelvin Fernandez, M.D., told 21Ninety. The physician continued, “It explains why these products are essential for your health.”
Since FSAs and HSAs are different, each has a unique process for purchasing skin care products. Lokenauth explained that FSA accounts usually give you a card to use in-store or online to buy your products. It’s basically a debit card that is only connected to your FSA account.
On the other hand, an HSA has a lengthier process. With an HSA account, you’ll buy your eligible skin care products with a personal credit or debit card. Next, you’ll submit receipts to your insurance provider or recommended point of contact. After the receipts are verified, you’ll get your money back.
On the other hand, an HSA has a lengthier process. With an HSA account, you’ll buy your eligible skin care products with a personal credit or debit card. Next, you’ll submit receipts to your insurance provider, or recommended point of contact. After the receipts are verified, you’ll get your money back.
What Is an FSA?
An FSA is, generally, an account that your employer puts pre-tax dollars into to pay for healthcare expenses. “Think of an FSA like a special savings account for medical bills,” CFP and founder of Good Financial Cents, Jeff Rose, told 21Ninety. “You set aside money before taxes are taken out [of your paycheck], and then use it for things like prescriptions or doctor’s visits,” the self-proclaimed CFP stated.
Long-time finance expert and Top Business Strategy Voice on LinkedIn, Andrew Lokenauth, advised interested 21Ninety readers to “enroll during open enrollment or a job change.” Otherwise, you may be unable to take advantage of these benefits through your employer.
What Is an HSA?
An HSA is a bank account that’s only for covering medical-related purchases. Rose explained, “if you have a health plan with a high deductible, you can use [an HSA] to save money before taxes and then spend it on health care needs.” That includes select skin care.
An HSA is an account you can get through your employer or bank. So, if you don’t have a traditional desk job – and are interested in learning more about an HSA – you can check with your healthcare provider to find out whether or not you’re eligible to sign up for an HSA through your local bank.
GlassesUSA Prada PR 23YS
GlassesUSA Prada PR 23YS are designer eyeglasses that you can use your FSA and HSA funds for so long as your medical provider prescribes them to you. There are four different prescription lens options to choose from for a customized view. These unique Prada specs feature brown tortoise on the frames and turquoise tortoise along the temples. And, just behind the hinges, there’s a brown Prada logo.
More importantly, there are two ways to save on these specs – so you use less of your funds. You can use the code DESIGNER40 for 40 percent off your designer specs. Plus, GlassesUSA is having a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) sale until December 31 of this year. So, you’re able to grab two pairs of prescription glasses for the cost of one. Just use code BOGOFREE to claim the BOGO offer.
Topicals Like Butter Moisturizer for Eczema-Prone Skin
Topicals’ Like Butter Moisturizer for Eczema-Prone Skin is an FSA/HSA eligible product at Sephora that happens to be a skincare fan-favorite. It’s a deeply moisturizing cream that’s designed to soothe itchy, red, sensitive, and dry skin.
Always Ultra Thin Pads, Unscented with Wings
Always’ Ultra Thin Pads, Unscented with Wings are FSA and HSA eligible at all major retailers. These pads offer leak-free protection no matter which level of absorbency you choose out of the five available.
Olay Regenerist Vitamin C Face Moisturizer
Olay’s Regenerist Vitamin C Face Moisturizer is FSA/HSA eligible at CVS. It’s a daily moisturizer that’s made with vitamin C and peptides to give your skin a radiant glow. Plus, it doesn’t leave your skin looking like an oil slick.
Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30
The Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 is FSA/HSA eligible on Amazon. This sunscreen was made to shield acne-prone skin from UV rays. More importantly, this reef-safe sunscreen is lightweight, fragrance-free, and blurs redness.
Rael Heating Patch for Menstrual Cramps – 3-Pack
Rael’s Heating Patch for Menstrual Cramps – 3-Pack are FSA and HSA eligible at all major retailers. These warming patches don’t get too hot. They heat up just enough to soothe pain from period cramps.
Eos The Hero Extra Dry Lip Treatment
While The Hero Extra Dry Lip Treatment is not in the nostalgic Eos egg-shape, it’s still a moisturizing lip product that will keep your pout comfortable for up to 24 hours. Plus, this lip treatment is FSA/HSA eligible at CVS.
CeraVe SA Fragrance Free Non-Comedogenic Cleanser
CeraVe’s SA Fragrance Free Non-Comedogenic Cleanser offers a 16 ounce value size on Amazon that is FSA/HSA eligible at the online retailer. This unscented cleanser has salicylic acid to help eliminate acne. Plus, it has niacinamide and ceramides to keep your skin comfortable post-wash.
Supergoop! Glow Oil SPF 50 – 2-Pack
This Supergoop! Glow Oil SPF 50 – 2-Pack is another FSA and HSA eligible item at all major retailers. It’s a lightweight sunscreen body oil that is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Plus, it gives your skin a radiant glow.
Nécessaire The Body Acne Wash
If you’re ready to get that pesky acne off your back, look into Nécessaire’s The Body Acne Wash. It’s a medicated body wash that includes salicylic acid, zinc, and niacinamide to help eliminate blemishes without drying out your skin.
FSAs and Skin Care: What’s Covered and What’s Not by Your Benefits
Again, you can’t put your entire beauty haul on your FSA or HSA account. But, there are specific products that those funds do cover. These accounts pay for several medically necessary products – including select skin care items. “This includes sunscreen with high SPF, certain anti-acne products, and other skincare products prescribed by a physician,” Dr. Fernandez said. Major stores like Amazon, Sephora, and CVS even have web pages dedicated to helping you find FSA/HSA-eligible skin care.
What’s Covered?
Acne Treatments
You’re able to use your FSA funds to cover over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments, per a post by the FSA Store website. That includes acne-targeted facial cleansers, spot treatments, pimple patches, body washes, and certain retinoids that target acne.
Dermatology Visits
FSA and HSA funds can be used to help cover your next trip to the dermatologist. It can even cover the remainder of what your insurance won’t pay for at the dermatologist. Plus, according to a post by the HSA Store, annual skin exams for skin cancer are also eligible.
Eyeglasses
If your ophthalmologist says that it’s time for a pair of prescription glasses, those are also FSA and HSA eligible. A few of the retailers that you’re able to use your FSA and HSA funds for are GlassesUSA, Warby Parker, Pair Eyewear, and Eyeconic.
Menstrual Care
Menstrual care, also known as feminine hygiene, is also covered by FSA and HSA funds. Nearly 200 products are covered, including (but not limited to) menstrual pads, menstrual cups, tampons, and period pain relievers.
Sun Care
As Dr. Fernandez stated, sunscreen is another FSA- and HSA-covered category. Sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher are eligible, per the aforementioned FSA Store post. That includes sunscreen-infused lip balms too – so long as they have SPF of 15 or higher.
Wart Removal
Both wart removal by a dermatologist, and over-the-counter topical (on top of the skin) wart freeze cream, are FSA and HSA eligible. Even swabs like Compound W Freeze Off Wart Remover can be covered by those funds.
What’s Not Covered?
“Skin care products and services that are primarily for cosmetic reasons are not FSA eligible,” according to the previously mentioned FSA Store post. Basically, if it’s not a medically necessary product or service, nor one that was prescribed by your physician, then it’s most likely not going to be covered. That said, if you’re ever unsure about what your FSA and HSA funds will cover, please speak with your medical and/or insurance provider.
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