101 FSA Eligible Items You Can Buy with Your FSA Card

FSA eligible items are qualified medical expenses you wouldn't incur but for a medical need, and there are far more of them than most people realize. A central eligibility database tracks over 150,000 FSA-approved products, covering everything from everyday first aid supplies to specialized chronic care equipment.

Many entries in that database are variations of the same item (reading glasses listed across every strength and color combination, for example), but the core list of distinct FSA eligible items is still substantial. Countless products that people buy out of pocket every day — pain relievers, sunscreen, contact lens solution — are actually FSA-approved. See below for 101 FSA eligible items you can purchase with your FSA funds today.

For a comprehensive guide to FSA and HSA product and service eligibility, see: FSA Eligible Items and Expenses List:

Note: FSA eligibility is determined by IRS guidelines. When in doubt, check with your FSA plan administrator.

Vision Care

Vision-related purchases are among the most commonly redeemed FSA eligible items, covering corrective eyewear, contact lens supplies, and eye health treatments.

• Reading Glasses
• Eyewear & Lens Accessories
• Contact Lens Care
• Eye Relief
• Prescription Sunglasses

Pain Relief

Whether you prefer oral medication, topical treatments, or drug-free therapy, FSA funds cover a broad spectrum of pain management solutions.

• Internal Pain Relief
• External Pain Relief
• Hot/Cold Therapy
• Electrotherapy (TENS)
• Acupressure
• Children's Pain & Fever Relief

Braces, Supports & Orthopedic Aids

FSA eligible orthopedic products range from everyday joint supports to specialized post-surgical bracing.

• Braces & Supports
• Orthopedic & Surgical Support
• Specialized Orthopedic Braces/Supports/Splints
• Abdominal Supports & Rib Belts
• Pressure Relief, Positioning & Support
• Orthopedic Aids
• Elastic Bandages & Athletic Treatments

Mobility & Daily Living Aids

Products that help maintain independence and safety at home or on the go are widely covered FSA eligible items.

• Walking Aids
• Wheelchairs
• Power Chairs & Scooters
• Wheelchair Accessories
• Bathroom Safety
• Patient Aids For Daily Living
• Patient Room Supplies
• Physical & Cognitive Therapy
• Rehabilitation Therapy

Diabetes Management

Managing diabetes requires ongoing supplies — all of which are FSA eligible, from glucose monitors to insulin delivery systems.

• Blood Glucose Testing
• Continuous Glucose Monitoring
• Diabetes Management Accessories
• Diabetes Nutritionals
• Insulin, Syringes & Delivery Systems

Respiratory & Allergy Relief

Seasonal allergies, asthma, and chronic respiratory conditions generate some of the most common FSA-eligible purchases.

• Allergy Relief
• Respiratory Therapy
• Respiratory Treatments
• Nasal Treatments
• Cough, Cold, Flu & Sinus
• Cough Drops & Sore Throat Relief
• Children's Cold & Allergy

Digestive Health

Over-the-counter digestive treatments — from antacids to anti-diarrheals — are well-established FSA eligible items.

• Digestive Aids
• Children's Digestive Health
• Stomach & Nausea Remedies
• Anti-Diarrheals
• Laxatives
• Anti-Gas
• Hemorrhoid Preparations

Wound Care & First Aid

From everyday bandages to surgical dressings, wound care and first aid products are core FSA eligible items.

• Wound & Surgical Dressings
• Wound Treatments & Skin Relief
• Wound Washes & Cleansers
• First Aid Kits & Supplies
• First Aid Tapes & Adhesive Wraps
• Medical/Surgical Supplies
• Children's First Aid

Skin Care

Many dermatological and skin treatment products qualify as FSA eligible items when used to treat a diagnosed condition.

• Facial & Body Acne Medications
• Hand & Body Moisturizers & Treatments
• Itch Treatments
• Wart Removers
• Facial Cleansers
• Hand & Body Cleansing

Sun Protection

Sunscreen products with SPF 15 or higher that provide broad-spectrum UV protection qualify as FSA eligible items under IRS guidelines.

• Sun Protection
• Mineral/Natural Sun Protection
• Therapeutic/Beauty Sun Protection
• After Sun Care

Foot Care

Foot care products — from orthotics to antifungal treatments — are widely covered FSA eligible items.

• Shoe Insoles & Inserts
• Foot Cushioning & Treatments
• Foot Grooming & Pain Relief
• Antifungal Treatments

Ear & Oral Care

Ear care products and oral health treatments for medical conditions (not cosmetic use) are FSA eligible.

• Ear Care
• Hearing Aid Batteries
• Oral Remedies
• Denture Care
• Lip Care

Women's Health & Feminine Care

Following the CARES Act of 2020, menstrual care products joined a broader category of FSA eligible women's health items.

• Feminine Protection
• Feminine Personal Care
• Feminine Antifungals
• Condoms & Barrier Contraceptives
• Pregnancy & Ovulation/Fertility Tests
• Sexual Health Products

Baby & Maternal Health

New and expecting parents can use FSA funds on a range of baby care and maternal health products.

• Baby Feeding Accessories
• Baby Health
• Baby Home & Mobility
• Disposable Diapers & Wipes
• Prenatal Multivitamins

Compression & Athletic Recovery

Medical-grade and athletic compression garments are FSA eligible items frequently used for post-surgical recovery and active lifestyles.

• Moderate to High Compression (Over 8–15 mmHg)
• Athletic Compression

Home Diagnostics & Testing

At-home testing kits and diagnostic devices that help you monitor your health qualify as FSA eligible items.

• Home Diagnostics
• Pregnancy & Ovulation/Fertility Tests
• Urine Testing

Vitamins, Supplements & Alternative Remedies

While general vitamins are not FSA eligible, certain medically recommended supplements and homeopathic treatments do qualify — often with a Letter of Medical Necessity.

• Glucosamine for Joint Health
• Homeopathic Remedies
• Alternative Therapy
• Medical Nutritionals, IV Therapy & Hypodermic Supplies
• Dehydration Powder Mixes

Specialized & Chronic Care

Patients managing chronic conditions or recovering from surgery will find extensive FSA-eligible coverage for specialized medical supplies.

• Ostomy Pouches
• Ostomy Care
• Catheters
• Urological Care
• Mastectomy Products
• Incontinence
• Antiparasitic Treatments

Smoking Cessation & Sleep

FSA funds can go toward quitting smoking and treating medically recognized sleep disorders.

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• Sleep Aids & Stimulants

Ready to Shop FSA Eligible Items?

The categories above represent the most common FSA eligible items — but this list only scratches the surface. Hundreds of individual products across all of these categories are available at buyfsa.com, all clearly marked as FSA eligible so you never have to guess.

For the complete breakdown of every qualifying product and service — including items that may require a Letter of Medical Necessity — visit our Full FSA Eligible Items List. You can also use our FSA eligibility search to look up any specific item before you buy.

1. Sensiv BMI Smart Scale and App
2. Cure Hydration Electrolyte Powder
3. CanDo® Web Hand Exercisers
4. Kanjo Hemp Pain Relief Cream
5. IMAK Eye Pain Relief Mask
6. Honey Pot Tampons
7. Kanjo Acupressure Mat
8. Theragun
9. Icy Hot
10. Relief Band for Naseau
11. Ice roller

• Icy Hot® Medicated Sleeve
• PowerDot Duo 2.0 Smart TENS Unit
• Advil Extra Strength Ibuprofen
• REVIX Shin Splint Ice Packs
• Runner's Remedy Achilles Tendonitis Sleeve
• Theragun Pro Percussion Massager
• Heali Kinesiology Strips
• Sensiv Sports Wrap and Prewrap
• Kanjo Foot Pain Relief Wooden Multi-Roller

Sensiv Athletic Tape, 4 pack

Wave Vibrating Foam Roller

Kanjo Coconut Acupressure Mat

Sensiv Foot Circulator

Biofreeze Overnight Patch

• Blowfish for hangovers
• Advil Ibuprofen, 24 coated tablets
• Pepto Bismol Max Strength

• Owlet Smart Sock Plus
• Pedialyte Electroylyte Solution, Strawberry 
• Elvie Double Electric Breast Pump

• Clearasil Gel Wash 6.78z
• Revive Acne Treatment Light Therapy
• Kanjo Eczema Cream

• Trojan Condoms 12 pack
• Kegg Fertility Monitor and Kegel Exerciser
• Pregnitude Reproductive Dietary Supplement
• First Response Digital Pregnancy Test

Each year, thousands of products are added to the FSA eligibility list. The list is not some mystic apparition, but a physical list of products maintained to ensure FSA card transactions identify qualified items.

Menstrual Care - each year, there had been debates about including pads and other menstrual products, but 2020 was the year these items finally were approved along with the CARES Act

Personal Protective Equipment (temporary) - a temporary loosening in eligibility requirements would allow masks (surgical, n95, etc.) and hand sanitizers/wipes (with 60%+ alcohol) for COVID prevention

OTC Medications - before the CARES act, you could not purchase a bottle of Advil with your FSA card and instead had to get a doctor's prescription to qualify, but no longer is this the case as all OTCs are FSA-covered

Rehabilitation products - "all products you could find in a physical therapy clinic, but wouldn't also be in a gym"

Breathalyzers - these intoxication measurements fall in line with other FSA eligible diagnostic products and were deemed eligible

BMI Scales - these products were previously considered dual-purpose for the often-included weight-reading feature, but due to the inextricable nature of weight-reading and BMI diagnostics, these products switched to FSA-eligible as long as BMI is the primary product benefit

Electrolyte mixes - with an increasing focus on defined disease states, "dehydration" led to rethinking FSA classification for items with primary benefits for baby care

Sexual health products - FSA-approved items now include those used to relieve sex pains, monitor and promote fertility, and strengthen the pelvic floor (see: Does my FSA cover sex toys?)

Limited selection of activity trackers - Around mid-year, the industry group that manages FSA-eligible products permitted trackers and wearables that included key features such as pulse oximetry and menstrual cycle tracking. (See: Are Activity Trackers FSA Approved?) This newly eligible category is a culmination of changes coming into effect since the CARES Act, most notably the FSA/HSA inclusion of feminine care products. Fitbit is still not considered an approved expense as it focuses on step tracking. To be sure, check BuyFSA for regularly updated FSA-approved products that you can shop for in-app or online.

Percussion Massagers and Muscle Recovery Products - This includes an exciting list of items such as Theragun, Cryotherapy Recovery Systems and more. These items are newly recognized for their medical benefits to the general public as opposed to performance products for athletes (see: Are Therabody products FSA-approved).

The list of eligible items grew by the largest count in history with over 30,000 new items being approved for FSA/HSA spend in 2024. The largest growth category came from feminine care (i.e. pads, tampons and other feminine hygiene products). 

There is a whole slate of changes and clarifications in 2025 that affects existing product eligibility. Specifically,there are additional clarifications and changes to Fiber products, Incontinence Devices, Breast Milk Coolers, Dry Mouth items, Electrolytes/Oral Hydration Solutions and Baby Teethers.

• Nursing Pillows, Covers, and Milk Coolers: Items designed primarily as accessories for breast pumps or to assist in lactation by providing temporary storage are eligible. Milk coolers intended for general use or with dual purposes, such as storing non-lactation items, are not eligible.

• Diagnostic Trackers (e.g., Oura Ring): Devices primarily marketed for medical diagnostic purposes that measure vital signs like body temperature, blood pressure, respiration, glucose levels, heart rate, oxygen saturation, or electrocardiograms are eligible. Trackers focused on performance enhancement or general wellness, such as step counters or those with non-health-related features (e.g., phone, texts, calendar, GPS), are not eligible.

• Eye Compresses: Products providing heating or cooling compression specifically to alleviate dry eyes or migraines are eligible. Eye compresses intended for general relaxation or comfort are considered dual-purpose and are not eligible.

• Accessories for Corrective Lenses and Frames: Items like contact lens cases and post-surgical eye protection are eligible. Blue light blocking products are eligible if they include a vision correction component. Wipes and cleaners must be marketed exclusively for eyeglasses to qualify. Accessories such as chains, cases, or cleaners that also serve devices are not eligible.

• Therapeutic Massage Products: Devices that offer targeted medical or therapeutic treatments, such as percussion, deep tissue, or pain relief, are eligible. Other massage products not intended for specific therapeutic use are not eligible.

• Fiber Laxatives: Bulk-forming, soluble fiber products used primarily to treat medical conditions like constipation or irregularity for short durations are eligible. Products promoting additional health benefits beyond fiber content or containing extra ingredients for general health are not eligible.

• Electrolytes: Oral rehydration solutions, including baby electrolytes, intended primarily for treating dehydration are eligible. Sports drinks are not eligible.

• Incontinence Products: Medical devices designed to treat incontinence without general health, performance, or pleasure components are eligible. Only products from brands primarily focused on treating medical conditions are considered eligible.

• Cooling Baby Teethers: Products providing acute relief by targeting specific areas of pain are eligible. Items offering general warmth or cooling for wellness purposes, including mats, are considered dual-purpose and are not eligible.

• Oral Remedies: Includes treatments for mouth pain, sore relief, dental repair, and saliva substitutes. Dry mouth remedies like gels, lozenges, and moisturizing sprays that act as saliva substitutes are eligible. Other oral products not serving as saliva substitutes are not eligible.

Over the years, products originally deemed FSA-eligible have actually been switched to "FSA-ineligible" status as a result of increased scrutiny for how the products are used. Not only this, but the interpretations of IRS guidance changes over time, leading to changes in FSA product eligibility.

Products that were once FSA-listed, but no longer, include:

• Magnifying glasses
• Hearing devices such as wireless headphones for watching TV from afar
• Surgical gloves and masks
• Doctor Scholl's comfort insoles
• EOS lip balm

Sources:

Special Interest Group for IIAS Standards (Product Eligibility Criteria)
IRS (IRS Publication 502)
IRS Update (IRS Announcement 2021-7)