Yes, hospital meals are eligible for reimbursement with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), but only when the meals are provided to the patient during inpatient care and do not exceed the cost of the hospital’s standard charge for meals.
Why Are Hospital Meals FSA/HSA Eligible?
When you are admitted to a hospital for inpatient care, meals are considered part of the medical services required during treatment. Under IRS Code Section 213(d), the cost of inpatient hospital care, including meals and lodging, is eligible as long as the primary reason for the stay is to receive medical care.
According to IRS Publication 502, meals provided by a hospital to a patient as part of inpatient care are eligible, but only up to the hospital’s standard meal charge. Any excess costs or meals provided to visitors are not reimbursable.
FSA- and HSA-eligible hospital meal expenses may include:
Standard meal charges included in your hospital bill during a covered inpatient stay
Meals provided as part of necessary medical supervision
- Meals tied to post-operative or recovery protocols during admission
What’s Not Covered?
The following are not eligible:
Meals for visitors, family members, or caregivers
Meals that exceed the hospital’s standard charge (e.g., upgraded or à la carte meals)
Meals received during outpatient procedures or observation stays
Restaurant or takeout meals brought into the hospital
Meals during non-medical or custodial stays
To qualify, the meal must be part of the medical care received while admitted as an inpatient and included in your itemized hospital bill.
How to Use Your FSA or HSA for Hospital Meals
f you're using your FSA or HSA card to pay for an inpatient hospital stay:
Request an itemized bill that breaks out the cost of meals from other hospital services
Confirm that the charges reflect the hospital’s standard meal rate
Submit documentation to your plan administrator if reimbursement is required
For more details, refer to IRS Publication 502.
