So, I’ve been thinking about getting some cosmetic work done. Nothing major, just a little something to boost my confidence, you know? But the big question is, can I use my FSA for this stuff? I started digging into it, and here’s what I found out.
First, I called my FSA provider. Gotta go straight to the source, right? The person on the phone was helpful enough, but they mostly just read off the standard stuff. Basically, cosmetic procedures are a no-go unless they’re medically necessary. Like, if you need a procedure because of a birth defect or an injury, then yeah, maybe the FSA will cover it. But for purely cosmetic stuff, like making your teeth whiter or getting rid of wrinkles, it’s a no from them.
Next, I decided to check out IRS Publication 502. It’s this massive document about medical and dental expenses. It pretty much confirmed what the FSA people said. Cosmetic surgery isn’t covered unless it’s to fix a deformity from birth, an accident, or a disease. I skimmed through it, but it’s pretty dense. I didn’t even bother trying to order the publication—who has time for that?
I also looked into something called an HSA, a health savings account. I remembered hearing about it before. Turns out, it’s the same story. HSAs also won’t cover cosmetic procedures unless they’re medically necessary.
After all that, I pretty much figured out that my FSA isn’t going to help me with the cosmetic stuff I want. It’s a bummer, but it is what it is. I mean, it makes sense. FSAs and HSAs are for real medical needs, not for looking younger or whatever.
So, what did I do? I started looking into other options. I mean, if you have good credit, there might be other ways to pay for these procedures. But for now, I’m just putting my cosmetic plans on hold. It’s not the end of the world.
- Called FSA provider: Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered unless medically necessary.
- Read IRS Publication 502: Confirmed FSA’s stance on cosmetic procedures.
- Explored HSA: Same deal as FSA, no coverage for purely cosmetic stuff.
- Considered other payment options: Might be possible with good credit.
- Decided to hold off on cosmetic procedures for now.
It was a bit of a letdown, but hey, at least I learned something new. And who knows, maybe someday I’ll revisit the idea of getting some work done. But for now, I’m good.
