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Surgery Date: October 20, 2009:

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Flexible Spending Account - Are Fills Covered?

Quick question for you financial experts out there...I am thinking of signing up for my company's Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for this upcoming year.

For those of you who have a FSA through work, do you know if lap band fills are considered a valid medical expense? I have reviewed this document....and I'm still confused.

My surgeon's practice charges $125 per fill appt....so it's worth looking into...

Thanks!


12 comments:

  1. I'm able to buy vitamins, eye glasses, gym dues with mine so my guess is Yes!

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  2. Good question...After reading the IRS regulations, I would think that they would be covered, as you are being specifically treated for health related issues (obesity) rather than just some Suzie Creamcheese off the streets who is trying to be reimbursed for her Alli diet pills. I would ask your doctors office if the fills qualify (they would know for sure). Remember that the money in your HSA is a "use it or lose it" fund. If you don't spend all of it byt the end of the year, your forfeit the rest, so if you do sign up, make sure you estimate the cost of your fills and any other doctors out of pocket expenses and then divide by the number of pay periods.

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  3. i have this same question!

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  4. I am 99% positive you can. I used mine to pay for my surgery so I am not sure why I wouldn't be able to pay for the fills. The only doctor's expense that I think isn't covered is cosmetic work with no medical value. In fact they will even pay for your gym expenses if it is medically ordered (like for rehab). I have heard the new health care bill does change some things, but the only thing i have heard of so far is that they won't cover over the counter medications after a certain date, but I am not sure when that goes into effect.

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  5. I have FSA and use it for my fills. Mine are covered by insurance so it's just the copay that my FSA is covering. I would give your insurance company a call and ask, since they are all so different, that may be your best bet!

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  6. YES! Well I, like Jenny, have FSA and my insurance covers the fills but I use my FSA to pay for the co-pay or any Dr. Office fee or charge. YOu can also use it otc meds at the pharmacy, vitamins, acne creams (neato huh!), uh and then like glasses, contacts, dental work, and prescription co pays. I love it!

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  7. AnonymousJune 06, 2010

    They should totally be covered. FSA is totally the way to go! Give them a call to confirm but I am sure they will.

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  8. No idea!!! I am so glad I don't live in the states when it comes to health care...so confusing. Love the title of the last post...who ever thought you could have fun with fat pics!!!

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  9. I think that it still depends on your insurance provider. I THINK the FSA is just a "savings account" to help pay for (and budget for) medical expenses. But when it comes for what's covered or not, that's still up to your insurance provider to determine.

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  10. I know that fills would be deductible on your federal taxes, but I'm with Christine re: FSA eligibility is determined by the the administrator of the FSA accounts. (Now in my case, my doc provides a very vague "receipt" for fills and I've had no problem having my FSA reimburse me for my appointments.)

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  11. Ditto to what Christine and Robin said.

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  12. Just a quick correction on what Stephanie posted -- HSA funds roll over year over year if you do not use the money but FSA funds are "use or lose". Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are two different things. I'm still not clear on whether the IRS approves using either for fills/unfills.

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