How to Use HSA Or FSA Account to Buy CPAP Products
Medical coverage with your employer may include a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA). People and families who have these plans often get good tax savings across a number of areas including durable medical equipment such as CPAP masks and machines.
How Does an FSA and HSA Work?
A FSA is a special account you put money into that you use to pay for certain out-of-pocket healthcare costs. You don’t pay taxes on this money. This means you’ll save an amount equal to the taxes you would have paid on the money you set aside. You use your FSA by submitting a claim to the FSA (through your employer) with proof of the medical expense and a statement that it has not been covered by your plan. You will then receive reimbursement for your costs. Ask your employer about how to use your specific FSA.
An HSA is an account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses, as defined in the tax law. You can use HSA funds to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and other qualified medical expenses. Withdrawals to pay eligible medical expenses are tax-free. Unspent HSA funds roll over from year to year, allowing you to build tax-free savings to pay for medical care later.
What is the Difference Between an HSA and FSA Account?
You can manage Health Savings Accounts every year. They can even roll over when you leave your job. Flexible Spending Accounts are less flexible. They are owned by the employer, and you may lose your benefits once your employment ends. The funds have to be used every year or they are lost.
What Are the Benefits of Buying CPAP Supplies with an HSA or FSA Account?
Both options are great for people that want a tax advantaged way to save for medical expenses. You can save on your CPAP equipment and supplies.
Are Retirees Covered?
If you are nearing retirement, it’s best to use any funds in your Flexible Spending Account before your retirement date to avoid forfeiture.
Your Health Savings Account on the other hand can still be accessed after retirement. You can use that money for medical expenses including durable medical equipment.
Why Use FSA Or HSA Card For CPAP Supplies?
An FSA and an HSA can help you pay out-of-pocket qualified medical expenses like your CPAP machine and essential supplies for CPAP therapy. Because your contributions are made on a pretax basis, a healthcare FSA directly reduces your taxable income, as well as the payroll taxes you pay. When you have a high deductible medical plan at work, an HSA can be critical for filling in the expense gap that comes along with it. The funds in an HSA carry over from year to year, are yours if you leave your employer and can be invested.
Just as your CPAP machine is necessary for delivering CPAP therapy to treat yoursSleep apnea, your supplies – masks, hoses, filters, and other accessories – are also a necessary part of delivering that therapy. That means all the supplies associated with CPAP are also eligible for FSA reimbursement.
FSA CPAP Supplies Eligibility
Eligible CPAP supplies with your FSA include:
- CPAP machines including APAP or BiPAP machines
- CPAP masks and headgear including full face CPAP masks, nasal masks and nasal pillow masks
- CPAP cleaning products including CPAP sanitizers
- CPAP supplies including nasal pillow cushions, tubing, humidifiers, humidifier chambers, chinstraps, filters and replacements parts for your CPAP equipment
Your CPAP cleaner is FSA eligible because keeping your CPAP clean is necessary for protecting your health as well as maintaining your device to extend the benefits of CPAP therapy. Regularly replacing CPAP supplies and cleaning your CPAP machine also prevents the buildup of disease-causing bacteria and irritants such as dust, mold, viruses, allergens, and more.
The FSA is especially helpful when it comes to following a parts replacement schedule. You are more likely to replace worn out tubing and masks when you have the benefit of the FSA card.
HSA CPAP Supplies Eligibility
Much like your FSA, your HSA also covers the full range of CPAP supplies including:
- A CPAP machine prescribed to you by a doctor, including machines for APAP or BiPAP
- All types of CPAP masks and headgear, including the replacement of masks when it is time
- CPAP cleaning products including CPAP sanitizers
- CPAP supplies including replacement tubing, cushions, filters, as well as accessories you may find that you need to help with CPAP therapy including CPAP pillows, humidifiers or chinstraps
If you have an HSA, you’ll have to decide how much you’ll want to save. Ideally, you’ll have an expectation of how many CPAP supplies you’ll have in a year. Using the replacement part schedule provided by your CPAP manufacturer can be a helpful guide for anticipating annual costs for CPAP.
Does an HSA or FSA Account Cover the Cost of a CPAP Machine?
Both an HSA and an FSA will reimburse you for a CPAP machine purchase. There are no restrictions on the purchase. Just use your FSA/HAS card when you check out.
Does HSA Or FSA Cover New CPAP Masks and Parts?
Your HAS and FSA account pays for more than just CPAP machines. You can get new masks and essential replacement supplies such as hoses, headgear, cleaning products, and filters.
List of CPAP Supplies That Are FSA Eligible
How to Claim CPAP Equipment
Because your CPAP equipment and supplies are used for treating a medical condition, they are always eligible for purchase with your HSA or FSA debit card or as cash reimbursement after you pay out of pocket.
Use your account to purchase replacement supplies throughout the year per your manufacturer’s replacement recommendations or upgrade your CPAP machine.
You just need a completed claim form and expense statements. Expense statements should include:
- Date of service
- Customer (or patient) name
- Name of the service provider (health care provider or merchant)
- Service provider contact information
- Type of service
- Description of expenses — Customer cost (the customer’s responsibility for services rendered)
Does The CPAP Shop Accept HSA or FSA Accounts for CPAP Products?
The CPAP Shop accepts both HSA and FSA accounts. You can easily make all of your essential CPAP purchases online.
Where Can I Buy CPAP Supplies for Therapy?
If you have further questions about using your HSA or FSA accounts to make purchases at The CPAP Shop speak to our expert customer care team. We are here to help. Give us a call at 866-414-9700 or email us at questions@thecpapshop.com.
