Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
Yes, really. Any broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher is HSA/FSA-eligible without a prescription — has been since the CARES Act expanded the rules in 2020.
Shop on AmazonIRS Notice 2021-7 · HSA + FSA eligible
▦ Avows · Eligibility guide
12 things you didn't know your HSA / FSA pays for
The IRS quietly expanded eligibility in 2020 — and most people are still leaving money on the table. Sunscreen. Tampons. Tylenol. All tax-free, all reimbursable, all things you've been buying anyway.
Tampons, pads, menstrual products
The CARES Act made all menstrual care products — tampons, pads, cups, period underwear — fully eligible. No prescription, no doctor's note, just buy them.
Shop on AmazonCARES Act §3702 · HSA + FSA eligible
OTC pain relievers
Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Excedrin, Motrin — all over-the-counter pain meds became eligible without a prescription in 2020. The drugstore aisle is full of HSA dollars hiding in plain sight.
Shop on AmazonIRS Notice 2021-7 · HSA + FSA eligible
Allergy medications
Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Benadryl, Flonase, Nasacort — every OTC antihistamine is eligible. If you have seasonal allergies, the entire pharmacy aisle is reimbursable.
Shop on AmazonIRS Notice 2021-7 · HSA + FSA eligible
Cold & flu medicine
NyQuil, DayQuil, Mucinex, Robitussin, Sudafed, Theraflu — every cold/flu remedy in the pharmacy is eligible. Stock up during flu season; it all counts.
Shop on AmazonIRS Notice 2021-7 · HSA + FSA eligible
Antacids & heartburn relief
Tums, Pepcid, Prilosec OTC, Zantac, Rolaids — heartburn meds count. Even if you only buy Tums once a year, that's $4 you can claim.
Shop on AmazonIRS Notice 2021-7 · HSA + FSA eligible
Acne treatments
Differin, salicylic acid washes, benzoyl peroxide, acne patches — anything marketed for treating acne is eligible. The trendy skincare you bought on TikTok counts if it treats a real condition.
Shop on AmazonIRS Pub 502 §213(d) · HSA + FSA eligible
Bandages & first aid kits
Band-Aids, gauze, antiseptic wipes, Neosporin, full first aid kits — all eligible. The kit in your glove compartment counts.
Shop on AmazonIRS Pub 502 §213(d) · HSA + FSA eligible
Heating pads & hot/cold therapy
Electric heating pads, ice packs, heating wraps, TheraBands — physical pain relief is eligible. The heating pad you use after the gym? Reimbursable.
Shop on AmazonIRS Pub 502 §213(d) · HSA + FSA eligible
Pregnancy & ovulation tests
Home pregnancy tests, ovulation predictor kits, fertility monitors — all eligible without prescription. Trying to conceive can get expensive; HSA helps.
Shop on AmazonIRS Pub 502 §213(d) · HSA + FSA eligible
Reading glasses (no prescription needed)
Drugstore readers — the cheap +1.5 / +2.0 / +2.5 magnification glasses — count, even without a prescription. Same goes for reading glasses bought online.
Shop on AmazonIRS Pub 502 §213(d) · HSA + FSA eligible
Thermometers & pulse oximeters
Digital thermometers, infrared forehead thermometers, fingertip pulse oximeters — diagnostic devices for home use are all eligible. The one you bought in 2020 still counts.
Shop on AmazonIRS Pub 502 §213(d) · HSA + FSA eligible
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This is not legal or tax advice. The IRS Publication 502 + the CARES Act (2020) cover the items above, but your specific HSA/FSA plan administrator may have additional restrictions or documentation requirements. Always check with your plan before submitting a claim. Avows uses these same IRS sources to classify your receipts — but we're a tool, not a CPA.
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