No, shaving razors are not eligible for reimbursement with a Flexible Savings Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (FSA).
Why Are Shaving Razors Not Approved for Reimbursement?
Shaving razors are not eligible for reimbursement through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) because they are considered personal care items rather than medical necessities. According to IRS guidelines and SIGIS standards, FSA and HSA funds can only be used for products that serve a specific medical purpose, such as diagnosing, treating, or managing a medical condition.
Shaving razors are primarily intended for cosmetic grooming and hygiene purposes, which excludes them from FSA/HSA eligibility. Even though they may provide personal benefits, their function does not address a diagnosed medical condition or fall under the category of medically necessary expenses.
The IRS's "but for" test further clarifies this distinction—razors fail this test because they would still be purchased regardless of a medical condition. As a result, they are classified alongside other non-reimbursable personal care items, such as shampoos or makeup, which do not meet the criteria for FSA/HSA reimbursement.
