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Let me tell you about one of my favorite shopping secrets: Your HSA and FSA can pay for so much more than copays and prescriptions. You can use the tax-free dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) on tons of unexpected items including sunscreen, acne treatments, reading glasses, and even prenatal vitamins.
I looked into the full list of HSA- and FSA-eligible products and found quite a few examples of surprising items that qualify, according to the IRS. You can shop for qualifying items at places like Ulta, Sephora, the Amazon HSA store, CVS, and even Costco. And you can stretch your tax-free dollars even further by clipping digital store coupons before you shop.
Just remember: you can only use HSA or FSA funds on qualified medical expenses designed to prevent or treat illness. So no, that trip to Maui won't count as mental health treatment (trust me, I checked.)
What's on this page:
- Skincare and Dermatology Products
- Pain Relief and Anti-Inflammatory
- Women's Health and Feminine Care
- Baby and Child Care
- Digestive Health
- Respiratory and Allergy Care
- Vision and Eye Care
- Sleep and Wellness
- Mobility and Accessibility
- Hearing
- Foot Care
- Oral Health
- Ear Care
- Smoking Cessation
- First Aid and Emergency Care
- Diagnostic and Monitoring Equipment
- Items Requiring a Letter of Medical Necessity
Respiratory and Allergy Care
1. Cold and Flu Medicine (Theraflu, Zicam, Mucinex, Cold-EEZE)
You can charge cough drops, syrups, tablets, and other over-the-counter cold and flu meds to your HSA or FSA card. Products from Theraflu, Zicam, Mucinex, and Cold-EEZE all qualify as eligible expenses.
See the latest deals we're finding:
2. Motion Sickness Medications (Dramamine, Sea-Bands)
Your HSA/FSA works to buy motion sickness products including Dramamine, Bonine tablets, and Sea-Bands.
3. Nasal Strips and Sprays
Can't shake that stuffy nose? No problem. You can buy nasal strips, sprays, and aspirators with your HSA/FSA funds.
4. Allergy Medicine
Allergy meds can be pricey, but using tax-free dollars to pay for them helps. Over-the-counter allergy medicines are HSA- and FSA-eligible expenses and now is a great time of year to use up your HSA/FSA funds to stock up for the upcoming season.
For an even better deal, spend $40 on select eligible allergy items in a single transaction and receive a $10 Reward.
Here's a breakdown of how to get this offer:
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Purchase $40 or more worth of participating products in one transaction by Dec. 31, 2026.
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Take a photo of your entire receipt with qualifying items starred. For online purchases, take a screenshot including your shipping, pickup, or delivery information.
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Visit https://www.activaterewards.com/opellarewards/cvs to enter your information. Make sure to submit your receipt by Dec. 31, 2026 to receive your reward.
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Submissions take two to five business days to review. Once your receipt is approved, you'll receive an email with a link to choose your reward.
Use the Products as Directed. ©2026 Chattem, Inc. dba Opella
Skincare and Dermatology Products
5. Acne Treatments and Cleansers (Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, Aveeno, La Roche-Posay)
You can buy some cleansers, gels, and astringents that include an acne drug ingredient with your HSA or FSA card. Brands such as Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, Aveeno, and La Roche-Posay have qualifying products, including Neutrogena's popular Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Face Wash ($9.99 at Target).
We keep track of all the latest coupons for acne products:
6. Antibiotic Creams and Ointments (Neosporin, Bactine, Nexcare)
Yes — Neosporin counts as an HSA- and FSA-eligible expense! Other wound care products from Bactine and Nexcare also qualify.
KCL TIP: Before you start an HSA or FSA spending spree, always check with your provider to confirm your purchases are eligible. Use our list of HSA- and FSA-eligible expenses as a guide for which items qualify. IRS Publication 502 is another good resource to bookmark.
7. Eczema Treatments (Aquaphor, CeraVe, Cortizone)
You can use your HSA/FSA for soothing creams and lotions made for eczema relief. Buy eligible products from top brands including Aquaphor, CeraVe, and Cortizone, and look for current deals to save more:
8. Insect Bite Creams and Ointments (After Bite, Benadryl Itch Relief)
You can buy After Bite and Benadryl Itch Relief with your HSA/FSA funds. Check our site for Benadryl coupons before you shop to lower your out-of-pocket cost.
9. Sunscreen (SPF 15+)
As long as it has an SPF of 15 or higher and broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays, sunscreens qualify as an HSA or FSA purchase. That means you can stock up on sunscreens for babies, kids, and adults — even from pricier brands including Neutrogena, Sun Bum, Banana Boat, and Supergoop.
Pain Relief and Anti-Inflammatory
10. Athletic Braces and Tape
Athletes get to reap the HSA/FSA benefits too. Tons of products for joint and muscle pain relief are HSA-eligible, including athletic tape, joint wraps, and ankle braces.
12. Compression Socks
Compression socks are pricey but necessary for certain medical conditions. Luckily, compression socks from brands including VIM & VIGR and Skineez qualify as an HSA/FSA purchase.
12. Lumbar Support (Back Braces, Decompression Belts)
If your back pain gets in the way of everyday activities, you can shop a variety of HSA- and FSA-eligible products to help, like back braces and decompression belts.
13. Pain Relief Creams (Icy Hot, Aspercreme)
Pain relief creams and treatments, like those from Icy Hot and Aspercreme, are often eligible for HSA and FSA.
14. Pain Relievers (Advil, Tylenol, Excedrin)
You can use your HSA/FSA to buy lots of over-the-counter pain relief staples, including Advil LiquiGels, Tylenol, and Excedrin Extra Strength. But there are many more brands to choose from.
See the current over-the-counter medicine savings we've found for you:
Women's Health and Feminine Care
15. Condoms and Contraceptives
A variety of condoms from Trojan, Durex, and LifeStyles all qualify as HSA- and FSA-eligible expenses.
16. Menstrual Cups
Since 2020, menstrual cups such as the DivaCup are considered FSA- and HSA-eligible expenses.
17. Nursing Bras and Supplies
Don't buy pumping bras unless it's with your HSA. Other nursing products, including breast pumps, breast milk storage bags, and nursing pads, are also HSA- and FSA-eligible.
18. Pads, Liners, and Tampons
Say goodbye to overspending on feminine hygiene. Pads and liners from brands including Poise and U by Kotex are considered eligible medical expenses, so it's always smart to stock up. Even though you can pay for these with your FSA or HSA, always look for deals to lower your out-of-pocket cost.
19. Period Underwear
Like tampons, pads, and liners, you can use your HSA/FSA for period underwear. That includes brands such as Thinx underwear.
20. Postpartum Recovery Supplies
Purchases that support postpartum recovery, like belly wraps, hemorrhoid creams, pads, and stool softeners, are FSA- and HSA-eligible.
21. Pregnancy Tests and Ovulation Monitors
Pregnancy tests can be pricey, but you can buy them with your HSA/FSA. You can buy at-home fertility tests and ovulation monitors with your funds, too. Look for deals at Target and CVS to save more (especially if you stack Target Circle deals or CVS ExtraBucks).
22. Select Prenatal Vitamin Brands
You can buy select prenatal vitamins with your HSA/FSA funds since they, too, qualify as a medical expense. Products from brands including Vitafusion, One A Day, and Nature's Bounty may qualify. Check your plan, because some require a Letter of Medical Necessity for coverage.
Baby and Child Care
23. Baby Breathing Monitors
Baby breathing monitors can bring you some peace of mind, and luckily, they qualify as an HSA/FSA expense.
24. Baby Formula (With Letter of Medical Necessity)
Specialized formula needed for a medical condition is eligible with an LMN; often only the cost above regular formula counts.
25. Baby Rash Ointments and Cream (Desitin, Aveeno Baby)
You can buy medicated creams for diaper rashes and eczema with your HSA or FSA funds. Brands including Cortizone, Cetaphil, Desitin, and Aveeno Baby offer qualifying, medicated products.
26. Thermometers
You can use your HSA to buy all types of thermometers for babies, kids, and adults. Thermometers from brands such as Braun and Vicks are HSA- and FSA-eligible.
Digestive Health
27. Digestive Aids (TUMS, Alka-Seltzer)
Use your HSA/FSA funds to buy qualified digestive aids, including TUMS and Alka-Seltzer tablets.
28. Laxatives (Dulcolax, MiraLax)
Laxatives are also eligible for reimbursement. Look for Dulcolax coupons and deals at stores including Target and Walgreens.
Vision and Eye Care
29. Contact Lenses, Cases, and Solutions
You'll need a prescription to purchase contact lenses with your HSA or FSA cards, but related products such as contact lens solutions and lens cases are always eligible.
30. Eye Exams
Yes, eye exams are considered eligible expenses for your HSA or FSA funds. You can stretch your dollars by comparing costs. Costco eye exams and Sam's Club eye exams, for example, offer competitive prices.
31. Eyeglass Wipes and Repair Kits
You can buy everything you need to keep your glasses in tip-top shape with your HSA or FSA dollars. Repair kits, wipes, and cleaning sprays are all eligible purchases.
32. Prescription Sunglasses
Prescription sunglasses are an eligible expense.
33. Reading Glasses
Reading glasses are just one of the many eye care products that qualify as an HSA or FSA purchase. Look for deals at drugstores like Walgreens or even at the Costco Optical Center.
Sleep and Wellness
34. CPAP Machines and Supplies
Most CPAP products qualify as medical expenses, so you can use your HSA to buy CPAP machines and CPAP cleaning supplies as needed.
35. Sleep Aids (Unisom, ZzzQuil, Motrin PM)
Catch some more z's with a variety of HSA- and FSA-eligible products, like Unisom SleepGels, Vicks ZzzQuil, and Motrin PM. Check our site for Vicks coupons and Motrin coupons before you shop.
36. Teeth Grinding Prevention (Mouth guards)
Mouth guards for teeth grinding or TMJ/TMD are HSA- and FSA-eligible expenses.
Mobility and Accessibility
37. Braille Books and Magazines
You can use your HSA/FSA for the cost of braille books and magazines above the price of the regular print edition.
38. Crutches, Wheelchairs, and Walkers
These purchases may come at a steep price, but you can use your HSA/FSA funds to pay for them. Mobility products for injuries and disabilities are qualified medical expenses, including canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers.
39. Depend Adult Underwear
Yes! Depend Adult Underwear and other bed-wetting aids are HSA- and FSA-eligible. See all the current Depend coupons and offers.
40. Medical Alert Bracelets
Look for HSA- or FSA-eligible medical alert bracelets on Amazon.
Hearing
41. Hearing Aids and Hearing Aid Batteries
You can use your tax-free HSA/FSA funds for hearing aids (even at stores like Costco). Hearing aid batteries and repairs also qualify.
Foot Care
42. Foot Care and Arch Support (Dr. Scholl's Insoles, Callus Removers, Athlete's Foot Treatments)
Keep your feet healthy, clean, and pain-free with HSA-eligible foot care products. Foot rollers, Dr. Scholl's insoles, callus removers, and athlete's foot treatments are all qualified HSA/FSA purchases.
Oral Health
43. Canker Sore Treatments (Orajel)
Canker sores can crush your dreams for a week or so, but you can buy tons of medicated gels and treatments with your HSA/FSA, including from brands like Orajel.
44. Denture and Retainer Cleaners
Denture cleaners and soaking tablets are HSA/FSA eligible, including retainer cleaners.
Ear Care
45. Ear Drops and Wax Removal Products
Many earwax removal kits and cleaners qualify as HSA or FSA purchases.
Smoking Cessation
46. Nicotine Gum and Patches (Nicorette, NicoDerm)
Products that are made to help you quit smoking are also HSA- and FSA-eligible purchases. Nicorette Gum and NicoDerm patches are both qualifying products.
First Aid and Emergency Care
47. Epsom Salt
Yup! Epsom salt is an OTC drug (used as a saline laxative and as a soak for minor aches), so it qualifies.
48. First Aid Bandages and Kits (Band-Aids, Gauze Pads, Ace Bandages)
Most first aid supplies for cuts, wounds, and minor injuries qualify as medical expenses. That includes Band-Aids, gauze pads, ace bandages, deluxe first-aid kits, and more. See all the latest Band-Aid coupons.
49. Hand Sanitizer, Masks, and Sanitizing Wipes
The IRS counts PPE as a qualified medical expense when you buy it mainly to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That includes hand sanitizer, face masks, and sanitizing wipes, so you can pay for them with your HSA or FSA dollars.
50. Rubbing Alcohol
Your HSA/FSA is good to use on rubbing alcohol, too. The best part? Rubbing alcohol serves multiple purposes beyond its medical benefits.
Diagnostic and Monitoring Equipment
51. Home Diagnostic Tests and Kits (Blood Pressure Monitors, Diabetes Test Kits, Personal EKGs)
Think blood pressure monitors, test kits for diabetes, and personal EKGs. These types of at-home health products are HSA- and FSA-eligible expenses.
Items Requiring a Letter of Medical Necessity
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Air Conditioners
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Air Purifiers
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Aloe Vera
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At-Home Drug Tests
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Baby Formula
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Cocoa Butter
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Exercise Equipment
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Ergonomic Chairs
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