Tax question Health Savings Account

**ladytoysdream** · 01-09-2010, 04:09 PM

Through my husbands employment, we have a health savings account set up at a bank. He has a high deductible for our health insurance. We did not use all of it last year. It will roll over.

I wanted to use some of the leftover money to buy some over the counter medicine so we have it here on hand. But not sure what is allowed and what is not.

I did use some of it for my eyeglasses this past year because it is not covered by our regular insurance.

This question so far, no one can answer for me. ....
Can I use some of it to buy a generator ? I have a serious case of sleep apnea and sleep with a machine at night. Without the machine, I am in BIG trouble. If we lose our electric, I am in BIG trouble at night. So I was wondering can we buy a generator with some of the money in the HSA ? My ENT doctor is willing to work with me for a prescription....whatever....if I can do this. So can I ?

**Greebo** · 01-09-2010, 04:53 PM

I'm pretty sure you can't use an HSA for a generator, no. You can use it to buy the OTC medicine.

**lisaflex** · 01-09-2010, 06:37 PM

generator will not be covered (i am a licensed agent)

defintiely do the OTC meds! makes sense as long as the expiration date is far enough out in case you dont use it.

at the end of the year, i use our FSA for motrin, childrens motrin, childrens flu tylenol, etc.

**mombottoo** · 01-09-2010, 06:44 PM

I would call the IRS and ask them or you can look around on the site for rules governing such accounts. If it is medically necessary in the event of an outage I would think that you should be able to use the money.

P.S. My mom's health insurance paid for a generator for her...she was on oxygen 24/7 before she died.

**ladytoysdream** · 01-09-2010, 06:45 PM

Thanks.
Not sure if I know what exactly will be considered a OTC medicine...is there a list online somewhere ?
What about my batteries for my hearing aids ?

**ladytoysdream** · 01-09-2010, 06:49 PM

I did call the IRS a few months ago. Talked to a agent who took all my information down and was supposed to get back to me. I think she told me she was a lawyer for the IRS. So she never got back to me about the generator.

I have already asked the insurance company about the generator. They said no they could not help me. I asked them about the HSA money and they could not give me a answer. Told me I would have to ask them.

As long as I use the machine, I am fine. I function well. Nothing during the day, just at night and or I need a nap. Been using the bipap just over 4 yrs now.

**Contrary Housewife** · 01-09-2010, 08:47 PM

You should ask the people who manage your HSA. You should have contact info for someone to write to if you have to be reimbursed for HSA expenses. These are the folks who decide what you can spend the HSA money on.

**dcompton** · 01-09-2010, 09:38 PM

Most OTC meds, like allergy/cold meds, antacids, anti-diarrheal meds, pain meds should be ok. I don't remember about first aid supplies like bandages. Dietary supplements and vitamins generally are not. Most things you keep on hand in the medicine cabinet to treat minor illnesses probably are. You could check with the agent for general classes of things that they reimburse.

When you get your register receipt, many places code what is generally acceptable with a symbol in the margin by the item.