Yes, hand sanitizers that meet certain criteria are eligible for reimbursement through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). According to SIGIS guidelines and IRS Announcement 2021-7, alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) are considered eligible medical expenses when they are used to prevent the spread of disease,
Why Is Hand Sanitizer FSA/HSA Eligible?
Hand sanitizers qualify for FSA/HSA reimbursement because they fall under the category of personal protective equipment (PPE). Their primary purpose aligns with IRS Code Section 213(d), which includes products that are medically necessary for preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
To be eligible, the hand sanitizer must contain 60%-95% alcohol, as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standards. Products not meeting this standard, such as those containing benzalkonium chloride or other non-alcohol-based sanitizing agents, are ineligible to purchase with an FSA/HSA.
How to Purchase Hand Sanitizers With an FSA/HSA
To purchase hand sanitizer with an FSA/HSA, follow the steps below:
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Shop at Approved Retailers like buyFSA:
Shop for hand sanitizer using FSA-eligible platforms like buyFSA.com that only sell FSA/HSA eligible items.
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Pay With Your FSA/HSA Card:
At checkout, use your FSA/HSA card for payment and amount will be automatically deducted if the product qualifies.You may also pay out of pocket and submit your receipt for reimbursement later.
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Submit for Reimbursement (if needed):
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If paying out of pocket, submit the receipt to your FSA/HSA provider for reimbursement. The receipt must include:
Name of the retailer.
Date of purchase.
Description of the product purchased.
Total purchase amount.
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Keep Documentation:
Maintain records of your purchases, especially during audits or for additional verification.
