What Is Covered on My HSA Card?

When you open a health savings account, the administrator of the plan issues you a debit card. But while this debit card looks and works like any other, you are not permitted to use the funds it contains for general purposes. The IRS restricts the use of HSA funds to legitimate medical and health care costs.

Over-the-Counter Remedies

• You can use your HSA card to pay for over-the-counter remedies such as cough and cold medications and allergy treatments, but the rules governing reimbursement changed as of January 1, 2011. As of that date, you can only use the funds in your HSA to pay for over-the-counter medications if you have a prescription from your doctor. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, it is a good idea to obtain a prescription ahead of time when you have your annual physical.

Prescription Drugs

• You can use the money in your HSA fund to pay for any co-payments and deductibles on prescription drugs. When you go to the pharmacy, you should present your HSA card to the pharmacist. The staff at the pharmacy will process the card as an HSA payment and use the funds in your account to cover the remaining costs of your prescriptions.

Vision Care

• You can use your HSA debit card to pay for the cost of your annual vision examination. If you have separate vision insurance that pays for part of your annual exam, you can only use your HSA funds to pay the cost of your co-payment or deductible. You can also use your HSA debit card to purchase prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses and contact lenses. If your vision insurance pays for part of those costs, you can only use your HSA funds to pay for the balance.

Dental Services

• You can use your HSA card when you go to the dentist to pay any deductibles and co-payments not covered by separate dental insurance. If you do not have dental coverage, you can use your HSA funds to pay for the entire cost of your annual dental exam, as well as braces, dentures and related supplies.