List of FSA Eligible Items to Buy

One year when we had to use up our flexible spending account, I was so surprised to learn that sunscreen was one of the FSA eligible items we could spend that money on to buy. 

What does FSA stand for? Flexible Spending Account.

A flexible spending account is something your employer sets up for you, to put aside pretax dollars to cover medical and health care costs. This includes things like prescriptions.

On the other hand, a Health Savings Account or HSA is more like an investment account that earns interest and can be used to pay for insurance premiums. It’s a lot more complicated and less straightforward than the Flexible Spending Account.

However, I’ve discovered that when searching for what they can buy using the FSA, most people will often use the term HSA, even though they mean FSA.

Therefore, I may use them interchangeably in this article about surprising things you can buy with an HSA or what items are eligible for FSA/HSA spending. Hope that makes sense.

List of FSA eligible items you can buy

In addition to offering a list of surprising FSA eligible items, I’m also going to share some surprising categories and places where you can shop using an FSA card.

For example, did you know you can use your FSA card on Amazon or at CVS? Even certain things at Costco are FSA eligible.

So, what can you buy with FSA? Read on for my comprehensive list. I wonder if you’ll discover surprising things that qualify like that aforementioned sunscreen that I was shocked to learn did qualify for FSA spending.

Eligible items on Amazon FSA store

The things you can buy on Amazon just continue to amaze me. First, there are all of the SNAP EBT eligible products that Amazon sells.

Now I get to delve into the Amazon FSA store.

Interestingly, at this link for the Amazon FSA store, it is listed as the FSA/HSA Store. See? I’m not wrong about people using these acronyms interchangeably.

Anyway, on Amazon, there are three sections worth noting.

List of eligible items on Amazon

One, a list of FSA and HSA eligible items on Amazon. Literally, it is an alphabetical list of qualified items.

These range from acupressure products to wart removers. There are hundreds of eligible items you can buy on Amazon.

How to shop on Amazon using FSA card

Two, what Amazon calls the “learning center.” That page on Amazon explains how you can or cannot pay for Amazon items with an FSA card.

For example, it includes this tip:

“Eligible items will display an “FSA or HSA eligible” badge on the search results page or the product detail page. You can also filter search results for only FSA/HSA eligible items by selecting the “FSA or HSA eligible” from the filter options.”

Amazon FSA Store

And, three, information on how to add your HSA or FSA card to your Amazon account.

FSA eligible baby items

One of the ways that an FSA or HSA account can help new parents is stocking up on supplies for their baby.

For example, on the Amazon FSA store, here are the baby-related things you can buy using that card:

• Baby thermometer
• Bottles and accessories
• Breast pumps
• Nursing accessories
• Pedialyte

In addition, your FSA card can pay for other baby necessities, such as OTC pain medication, diaper rash cream and some diapers. Baby-safe sunscreen and lip balm qualify, too.

Plus, you can use your card to purchase these baby items at nationwide pharmacy stores like CVS and Walgreens.

Even Target has an FSA eligible store on its website.

Surprising FSA products

So, what are some of the surprising things that end up being HSA or FSA eligible? Here’s a brief list:

• Compression socks
• Contact lenses
• Contraceptive items
• Dental floss
• Deodorant
• Dry eye treatment
• Eyeglasses
• Lice treatment
• Light therapy
• Lip balm
• Sexual health products
• Vitamins

Even some handheld massage tools, similar to my Hyperice Hypervolt GO massage gun, qualify for FSA or HSA spending. 

Same thing with foam rollers. In fact, I found a foam roller on the Amazon FSA store that vibrates and heats up.

FSA Eligible at Costco

You’ll find plenty of FSA-eligible items at Costco–some surprising, such as the Kegelbell pelvic floor training device that I’ve reviewed.

You know what else qualifies? COVID tests. Plus, lots of OTC medication for everything from allergies to indigestion.

Costco Membership Deal via Groupon

The best deal on a Costco Membership right now is through Groupon. When you sign up, you’ll get your one-year membership plus a $40 Costco Digital Shop Card for free.

In case you didn’t know, the Costco Shop Card is the store’s gift card. You can use it in store or online.

This offer is for new Costco memberships only or for former Costco members whose membership expired more than 18 months ago. So, if you’ve moved, there wasn’t a Costco nearby and you let your membership lapse for more than 18 months, you’re good to go to sign up for this deal again!

Also, you can avoid the lines at your Costco location by signing up for this Groupon Costco deal. This was the crowd at the new Costco in Maine near where I live. Yikes!

Terms and Conditions

• After purchase you’ll receive an email from Costco confirming your membership details. To pick up your membership card, stop by the membership counter at any Costco location and bring a copy of that email with your photo ID. Incentive will be emailed within 2 weeks after sign-up to qualifying members.
• You’re receiving a One-Year Costco Gold Star Membership
• A membership card for the Primary Cardholder and one additional Household Card for anyone living at the same address, over the age of 16
• A $40 Digital Costco Shop Card (valid at Costco locations and Costco.com)
• Valid only for new members and those whose previous memberships (Primary and Household) have been expired for at least 18 months or more.
• Please allow up to two hours to receive your confirmation email from Costco. You must have either your Costco or Groupon confirmation email to receive your physical membership card at a Costco location.
• A physical membership card is not required to shop online or receive your incentives.
• Incentive includes a $40 Digital Costco Shop Card
• Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed within 2 weeks after sign-up to qualifying members.
• Digital Costco Shop Card will be emailed to the email address provided by the Primary Member at time of sign-up.
• Not valid for the renewal of an existing Costco membership.
• To purchase this package, you must be 18 years of age or over, and agree to Costco’s Membership Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
• All sales final.
• $40 Digital Costco Shop Card is not redeemable for cash, except as required by law. Digital Costco Shop Cards are not accepted at Costco Gas Stations, Car Washes, or Food Court Kiosks.

Again, this a Groupon-only deal for a Costco membership.

Other warehouse club memberships

Perhaps you prefer to shop at another warehouse club because it is more convenient to where you live than Costco is. Good news: Both BJs and Sam’s Club have Groupon deals right now for memberships. Plus, both tend to have gas stations where members can get a cheaper price when filling up the gas tank.

Final thoughts on FSA eligible items

For a deeper dive on flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts, this page on the NIH website explains HSA vs FSA.

If you have other questions on shopping with FSA or HSA benefits, please let me know.