How to Use FSA and HSA Card

 

If you or your partner has FSA or HSA coverage, you’ll be happy to know that BabyDoppler.com now accepts it as a payment option!

If you haven’t used your card on pregnancy or postpartum products yet, now is the time. There are many items and services that FSA and HSA cover—maybe more than you think!

From pregnancy books and massages to nipple shields and baby sunscreen, some products are automatically eligible while some require a written recommendation from your doctor. In this post, we’ll cover all of your options.

Be sure to bookmark this page so you can easily refer to it whenever you’re purchasing baby items.

 

What is FSA/HSA?

Flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) are health plans offered by employers to employees. Both FSA and HSA’s work like a traditional savings account except for that the funds must only be used for certain medical expenses. You decide the amount you want to contribute and your employer may also contribute if they choose to. As opposed to normally paying for health expenses, having it covered by your FSA/HSA account allows you to minimize your taxable income.

The differences between an HSA and an FSA include access to money, contribution limits, rollover rules and more. For example, employees who have an FSA account can contribute up to  $2,650 per year. This is compared to $6,900 that an employee can contribute if they have family coverage. Each plan has different rules as to what happens to any money that is unspent after the year. In some cases, the employee forfeits the money and it’s kept by the employer. Be sure to check your plan to see if this is the case. If it is, make sure to spend the money in your account before it goes to waste! See more details about the differences between HSA and FSA accounts here.

The account can typically be used by the employee, their spouse and children. That means if you don’t have an FSA/HSA but your husband does, you can use his account for pregnancy-related expenses.

 

How Do You Use Your FSA/HSA for Pregnancy and Postnatal expenses?

Check with your provider to see how to use the money in your FSA/HSA. If you have an FSA/HSA card, it works like a debit card that you can use on products in the FSA/HSA online store and other retailers, including Baby Doppler. For services and other retailers, you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket, and then submit a document and receipt to be reimbursed later.

 

Eligible HSA/FSA Pregnancy & Parenting Expenses

If you or your partner has an FSA or HSA card, you should know all the pregnancy expenses that are covered so you can decrease your taxable income. These items are covered by any pregnant women’s FSA/HSA without a prescription or recommendation.

Products

• Pregnancy tests
• Compression socks
• Nausea-relief bands (morning sickness bands, acupressure bands, etc.)
• Gestational diabetes monitoring kits
• Fetal Doppler
• Nursing supplies (disposable bra pads, breast pump, storage for breastmilk, nipple shields, etc.)
• Baby sunscreen
• Thermometer
• Lanolin cream (to soothe dry or cracked nipples)
• Nursing pads
• Bladder control pads (for incontinence issues during pregnancy or after birth)
• First-aid supplies
• Nasal aspirator
• Kids potty training pants (but not diapers)
• Vitamins for children
• Doctor’s check-ups for kids

 

Services

• IVF (in vitro fertilization)
• Fertility enhancing surgery (including tubal reversal)
• Stop-smoking programs (but not over-the-counter aids, i.e. nicotine gum, patches, etc.)
• Acupressure/acupuncture
• Pregnancy/childbirth classes
• Prenatal chiropractor (only if medically necessary, in some cases, a recommendation may be necessary)
• Childbirth/delivery expenses (home care, midwife, hospital stay, food, doctor, NICU, etc.)
• Prenatal Vitamins
• Ultrasounds
• Pregnancy lab work and screening
• Breastfeeding classes
• Lactation consultant
• Psychotherapy (read 6 Reasons to Consider Therapy During Pregnancy)

 

Pregnancy and Parenting Items Covered with Recommendation

These expenses are eligible for a reimbursement, but only if you have a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). If you’d like to purchase one of these products or services, you should tell your doctor why you think it’s necessary.

Products

• Belly support belt
• Books related to pregnancy and childbirth
• Baby formula (e.g. special formula for a medical condition)
• Cervical pillow/pregnancy pillows (can help with insomnia or pregnancy discomfort, etc.)
• Diaper rash cream and ointment (requires a prescription)

 

Services

• Umbilical cord blood banking
• Doula care before, during or after birth (read our guide on Doula Benefits + How to Find One)
• Prenatal massages (can help manage stress and improve circulation)
• Prenatal yoga (can help to improve physical activity levels and to improve psychological health)

 

Baby Doppler Recommendations

Since Baby Doppler now accepts FSA and HSA as a payment option, we thought we’d round up the top eligible items.

 

Fetal Doppler

If you’re pregnant, you can probably relate to feeling anxiety, wondering if your baby is still okay between check-ups. If you’re a first-time mother, you may be nervous about whether you’re looking for the right signs. Parents who’ve experienced a loss may feel added stress as the experience brings back bad memories. Fetal dopplers can help ease this concern while also creating a bonding experience for the family to enjoy.

Simply spread some ultrasound gel on your belly, glide the probe and listen to your baby’s heartbeat using headphones or the speaker. There are various heartbeat monitors, differing in display options and price. You can view our comparison guide here.

If you want to learn more about fetal heartbeat monitors, read some of our guides:

• 4 Reasons Why Fetal Heartbeat Monitors Are Amazing: As Explained By Our Customers
• How Does a Fetal Doppler Work?
• Videos of heartbeat monitors being used
• Everything to know about Fetal Dopplers: Part 1
• Everything to know about Fetal Dopplers: Part 2
• How to Use a Fetal Doppler – The Proper Way

Use your FSA/HSA card on a fetal heartbeat monitor from $19.95 to $59.95

 

Forehead and Ear Thermometer

Touching your baby’s forehead with your hand to feel if it’s hot isn’t always accurate. You’ll want a thermometer with a display so you can check on any suspected fevers. Unfortunately, fevers are quite common in babies—some requiring emergency care and others only requiring you to monitor them as they fight off an infection.

Dagamma® Thermometer is simple and quick to use so your baby makes less of a fuss. Unlike other products, it can test both the forehead and your baby’s ears. It also works for adults, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

Use your FSA/HSA card on a Baby Thermometer for $29.95

 

Electric Breast Pump

Since breastfeeding supplies are covered, so are breastfeeding pumps. Many women have difficulty breastfeeding at first, but using a breast pump can make life easier. It allows you to pump when you’re ready or when you have time and to feed later.

The Serenity Breast Pump uses a 2-phase extraction technology and has an adjustable 10-step suction. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and comes with an automated system for storing milk. Of course, it’s also BPA-free and FDA approved. The Serenity Pump comes with an AC adapter but can be used with batteries, so it’s suitable for on-the-go pumping.

Use your FSA/HSA card on the Serenity Breast Pump for $39.95

 

Snotty Buddy

The Snotty Buddy is a must-have for all moms-to-be. The hospital typically gives new mothers a bulb syringe to clean their baby’s nose when they’re stuffy. The problem is that these can be difficult to use. Since they don’t tend to pull out a lot of mucous at once, it can require multiple attempts, making your baby cry and scream from irritation. On the other hand, leaving snot in your baby’s nose can cause her flu to last longer and can sometimes cause breathing problems.

So, what’s the solution? The Snotty Buddy is a nasal aspirator that’s effective and clean to use. One end of the tube is inserted into the baby’s nose and the mouthpiece is inserted into the parent’s mouth. When the parent inhales in a sucking motion, the mucus is pulled from the baby’s nose and captured in the tube. Since the product comes with a mouthpiece and replaceable filters, it’s easy to clean and use without spreading bacteria. Unlike other aspirators, this snot-sucker doesn’t irritate your baby because it provides relief the first time. Don’t trust us? Then trust the pediatricians who’ve designed and endorsed the Snotty Buddy.

Use your FSA/HSA card on the Snotty Buddy Nasal Aspirator for $9.99

How do you spend the money in your FSA/HSA account? If we’ve missed any eligible pregnancy or parenting products, let us know in the comments below. Be sure to share this post with other moms-to-be to help them save money, too!

P.S. You can easily use your FSA/HSA card when shopping on BabyDoppler.com. Simply add any eligible products to your cart and use your card when you check out. Shop for eligible products here.