Are you wondering if you can use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to purchase vitamins? The answer is not as straightforward as you might think. Generally, vitamins and supplements are not considered eligible expenses for an FSA. However, there are some exceptions. If your doctor has prescribed specific supplements, you will need to fill out a Letter of Medical Need (LMN) in order to use your FSA to make this purchase.
This document must be provided to the benefit administrator in order to demonstrate that the vitamins are necessary for the treatment of a medical condition. In general, the IRS states that “medical expenses cannot include the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, “natural medicines”, etc. For example, prenatal vitamins and supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin (found in Cooper Complete Joint Health) can be purchased without a prescription. Unfortunately, while this update means that over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin and Advil, and over-the-counter allergy medications can now be purchased without a prescription, the law did not extend to all vitamins and dietary supplements.
Therefore, if you are looking to purchase vitamins or supplements with your FSA funds, it is important to speak with your doctor first. Your doctor may be able to provide you with a note or letter detailing the medical need for the vitamin or supplement. Once you have this document, you can purchase the recommended vitamin or supplement and send the itemized receipt along with a copy of the doctor's note for reimbursement to your FSA plan.
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