FSA

Are Diapers FSA Eligible?

Often participants in Flexible Spending Accounts or FSAs don’t know exactly what is eligible and what isn’t. Your yearly FSA contributions are meant to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses for that plan year.  

Since your yearly contributions are normally forfeited on December 31, using them for this timeframe can help maximize your FSA dollars. One question that gets asked often is “are diapers FSA eligible?” Health Products For You has the answers so that you can get the most out of your Flexible Spending Account as possible. 

FSA/HSA Eligibility 

One confusing aspect of Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Spending Accounts is what is and isn’t eligible for these pretax account contributions. These accounts can cover a wide range of medical products like first aid products, respiratory aids, diagnostic devices, and even sunscreens amongst dozens of other medical products/aids. For babies and infants some FSA-eligible items include: 

• Baby thermometers 
• Breast pumps 
• Nasal wipes 
• Vision eyewear 
• Ointments/creams 

On average, parents can spend $1000 a year on diapers for their babies/infants, and unfortunately, these are not FSA eligible - sort of. Normally baby diapers would not be FSA eligible unless your child has some medical condition that would require them. This would require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your pediatrician to qualify them to be FSA eligible. In a weird twist, toddler training pants/nighttime underwear meant to protect against incontinence are FSA eligible. 

Maternity Incontinence & Your FSA 

While your Flexible Spending Account may not be able to cover your baby’s everyday diapers, adult diapers and adult briefs may be FSA-approved. During pregnancy, many women may experience incontinence. These instances of incontinence may be mild or even inconsistent/infrequent. During pregnancy, the most common type of incontinence experienced by women is stress incontinence caused by increased pressure on the bladder. Overactive bladder (OAB) may be another cause of incontinence during pregnancy due to uncontrollable spasms in the bladder. Pregnancy/childbirth contributes to a woman’s incontinence in part due to issues such as: 

• Damage to bladder nerves 
• Urethra/bladder movement during pregnancy 
• Episiotomy 

In these instances, adult briefs/diapers can be FSA-eligible since they would be used to treat incontinence. Another option for fighting incontinence during pregnancy is Kegel exercises. These can strengthen your pelvic floor and exercisers such as the kGoal Kegel Exerciser with Biofeedback are FSA eligible. If your incontinence continues for six weeks after delivery you should consult your doctor. 

Don’t Forget Baby 

Yes, your baby’s everyday diapers may not be FSA eligible (unless medically necessary) but there are many other FSA-eligible products that can help you give your baby the best care. Many of these products can range from simple first-aid items to more specialized equipment such as nebulizers and accessories. Some products you may want to explore include: 

1. Desitin Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Ointment

This ointment seals out wetness and protects skin from irritants while healing/soothing diaper rash. It can reduce redness and irritation of sensitive skin and provide maximum strength relief. 

2. Drive Medquip Airial Panda Pediatric Compressor Nebulizer

Designed to stimulate a child’s imagination during respiratory treatments, this friendly nebulizer kit can reduce stress/anxiety during treatment time. A pediatric mask, five filters, and tubing are all included. 

3. Medline FitRight Personal Cleansing Wipes

Perfect for everyday use or incontinence care, these wipes are pH balanced, hypoallergenic, and alcohol free for delicate perineal skin. They’re latex free and enriched with aloe. 

4. Proactive Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer

Practical and easy to use with babies and children, this thermometer uses infrared technology to obtain the temporal artery temperature accurately. You can take your child’s temperature without even waking them up! 

5. Medela Haberman SpecialNeeds Feeder Container

Designed to help babies with facial/oral problems feed, this feeder has a specially designed valve that can adjust milk flow to suit your baby’s needs. This provides a more natural feeding experience for your child. 

6. Medline DryTime Disposable Protective Youth Underwear

While diapers are not FSA eligible, this underwear has a soft waist/hip elastic and feels like real underwear. Perfect for heavy absorbency and latex free. 

7. Prevail Protective Underwear-Extra Absorbency

This unisex underwear offers waist sizes between 34”- 80” and has a cloth-like outer fabric for discrete protection. They reduce odors and promote skin health while providing leakage protection and comfort. 

Unfortunately, everyday diapers are not FSA-eligible items. Fortunately for moms and dads, incontinence and maternity products are some things to spend FSA money on.    

Our website: Healthproductsforyou, has what you need! 

 

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