Health club membership dues not reimbursable through FSA


Issue:

An employee has submitted a claim for reimbursement through her health flexible spending account (FSA) for health club membership dues. Are such dues reimbursable medical expenses?

Answer:    

No, health club dues or amounts paid to improve one’s general health or to relieve physical or mental discomfort not related to a particular medical condition are not reimbursable medical expenses.

Distributions from a health FSA must be paid only to reimburse participants for qualified medical expenses incurred during the period of coverage. Qualified medical expenses include:

  • acupuncture;
  • alcohol addiction inpatient treatment;
  • ambulance services;
  • artificial limbs;
  • artificial teeth;
  • bandages;
  • breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy due to cancer;
  • birth control pills;
  • Braille books and magazines;
  • chiropractor fees;
  • contact lenses, including the cost of equipment and materials;
  • crutches;
  • dental treatment (except teeth whitening);
  • diagnostic devices, such as blood sugar test kits;
  • drug addiction inpatient treatment;
  • eye glasses;
  • eye surgery;
  • fertility enhancement procedures, such as in vitro fertilization;
  • guide dogs;
  • hearing aids;
  • hospital services;
  • laboratory fees;
  • Medicare Part D premiums;
  • medicines (prescription and nonprescription);
  • nursing home care;
  • oxygen and oxygen equipment;
  • psychiatric care;
  • psychoanalysis;
  • qualified long-term care services and premiums paid for qualified long-term care insurance contracts;
  • sterilization;
  • stop-smoking programs;
  • weight-loss programs (if a treatment for a specific disease, such as obesity or heart disease, diagnosed by a physician);
  • wheelchairs; and
  • X-rays.

Source: CCH Employee Benefits Management and IRS Publication 502.

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