Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) now FSA/HSA Eligible!
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 70 million Americans with flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) were shocked to learn that personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes needed to prevent the spread of the virus were deemed ineligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement.
After multiple bills introduced in Congress in 2020/21 to make this a reality through legislation and advocacy efforts from throughout the industry, the IRS finally took notice and made a positive determination for FSA/HSA users to safeguard their health year-round. On March 26, 2021, the IRS released Announcement 2021-7, making PPE such as masks, hand sanitizer, and hand sanitizing wipes eligible with an FSA/HSA.
In the year-long-plus fight against COVID-19, these essentials have been proven necessary and effective by medical officials, which is why FSA and HSA account holders can now breathe a sigh of relief. The IRS laid out in their guidance that there is no time limit or window of eligibility for these products and simply “as long as the costs for these items are to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Thanks to the persistence and savviness of healthcare consumers like you, PPE eligibility is now a reality!