No, baby wipes are not eligible for reimbursement with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (FSA). They are considered a general health and household product expense, which do not qualify as eligible medical expenses.
Why Are Baby Wipes Not FSA/HSA Eligible?
Baby wipes are not eligible for reimbursement through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) because they are categorized as general household and 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 are explicitly intended to treat, manage, or prevent a specific medical condition.
While baby wipes are commonly used for cleaning and hygiene, they are not designed for a medical purpose and do not address a diagnosed condition. This classification excludes them from the list of reimbursable medical expenses. The "but for" test further reinforces their ineligibility—baby wipes would still be purchased for everyday use, regardless of a medical need.
Even in scenarios where baby wipes are used for a medical purpose, such as cleaning sensitive skin during diaper rash treatment, the wipes themselves are considered a general hygiene item rather than a therapeutic product. This places them in the same category as other ineligible items like tissues , hand wipes, and cosmetic cleansing products that do not qualify for FSA/HSA reimbursement.
