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Common Medical Expense Reimbursement Request - Reimbursable under your VEBA Health Savings Plan & Medical Flex Plan

This is a summary of eligible and reimbursable expenses that is not intended to provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with a competent tax advisor or legal counsel. Also see IRS Publications for a complete listing.

* Dual-purpose (DP) items require a doctor’s diagnosis of a medical condition and evidence that the item is recommended to treat the diagnosed condition. You must complete a Letter of Medical Necessity in order to be reimbursed.


Eligible Expenses

Expenses Eligible?
Acne treatment (Retin A) No, unless treating a specific medical condition such as acne vulgaris DP*
Acupuncture Yes, if treating a medical condition DP*
Administrative costs Generally no, as they are not for medical care
Adoption – medical expenses incurred before adoption is finalized Yes, if child was legal dependent when services provided
Advanced reimbursements No
Alcoholism treatment Yes, for inpatient treatment (including meals and lodging) at a center for alcohol addiction
Allergy medicine Yes, if treating sickness or injury
Ambulance Yes
Antacid Yes
Antihistamine
Artificial limbs and teeth Yes
Aspirin Yes
Babysitting and child care No
Bactine Yes
Bandages Yes
Birth control pills Yes
Birthing classes / Childbirth classes / Lamaze Yes, if classes relate to child birth and not child rearing. Expenses for coach (or doula) or significant other are not eligible
Blood pressure monitoring device Yes
Blood sugar test kit and test strips Yes
Body scan Yes
Braille books and magazines Yes, for visually-impaired person, but only the amount above cost of regular printed material
Breast pump No, unless medical need  DP*
Breast reconstruction surgery following mastectomy Yes if mastectomy was done following cancer
Calamine lotion Yes
Carpal tunnel wrist supports Yes
Chelation therapy Yes, if used to treat medical condition such as lead poisoning  DP*
Childbirth classes See Lamaze  DP*
Chiropractors Yes
Condroitin Yes if used to treat medical condition and not just for general health DP*
Circumcision Yes
Claritin Yes
COBRA premiums Yes, VHSP plan only.
Co-insurance amounts and deductibles Yes
Cold medicine Yes
Cold packs Yes
Condoms Yes
Contact lenses, related materials & equipment Yes, if the lenses are needed for medical reasons.
Contraceptives Yes
Cosmetics No, including face cream, deodorant, hand lotion, or any other item used for ordinary cosmetic purposes
Cosmetic procedures or surgery No, except for amounts paid for surgery necessary to improve a deformity arising from a congenital abnormality, personal injury from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease
Cough suppressants Yes
Counseling Yes, for medical reason. No for marriage counseling DP*
Crutches Yes, for rental or purchase
Decongestants Yes
Deductibles Generally yes, see co-insurance & deductibles
Dental treatments Yes, see restrictions for orthodontia, teeth whitening and bleaching
Dentures and denture adhesives Yes
Deodorant No
Dependent daycare expenses No - See Common Dependent Care Reimbursement Requests
Diabetic supplies Yes. See Glucose monitoring devices and insulin
Diapers or diaper service No, except may be reimbursable where used to relieve the effects of a particular disease
Diaper rash ointments and creams Yes
Diagnostic services Yes
Diarrhea medicine Yes
Dietary supplements No for general health (including nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements and natural medicines) but may be reimbursable if recommended by medical practitioner to treat specific medical condition.  DP*
DNA collection and storage Generally no, but temporary storage may be reimbursable if collected as part of a diagnosis, treatment or prevention of existing or imminent medical condition  DP*
Drug addiction treatment Yes, for inpatient treatment (includes meals and lodging) at therapeutic drug center
Drug overdose treatment Yes
Drugs and medicines Yes, if legally obtained and generally accepted as medicines and drugs and if treating a medical condition. This includes both prescribed drugs and over the counter drugs.
Ear plugs Yes if treating medical condition  DP*
Egg donor fees Yes 
Eggs and embryos, storage fees Maybe, with respect to temporary storage, but only to the extent necessary for immediate conception  DP*
Electrolysis or hair removal Generally no
Eye examinations, eyeglasses and related equipment and materials Yes, amounts paid for eyeglasses and lenses prescribed by doctor for medical reasons, eye examinations and eyeglass cleaners are eligible
Face creams, moisturizers and face lifts No, because usually cosmetic
Feminine hygiene products (tampons, etc.) Generally no  DP*
Fertility enhancement (e.g. treatments, surgery, GIFT, IVF, etc.) Yes, to extent procedures are intended to overcome an inability to have children. Expenses for in vitro surrogate not deductible unless the surrogate is a tax dependent.
Fiber supplements No if taken as a supplement to normal diet. Yes, under narrow conditions if recommended by medical practitioner to treat specific medical condition DP*
First aid cream and first aid kits Yes
Fitness programs Only if prescribed by doctor for treatment of obesity or other medical condition  DP*
Flu shots Yes
Funeral expenses No
Gauze pads Yes
Genetic testing A gray area. Yes, if for determination of possible birth defects, no if for sex determination  DP*
Glucosamine Yes if primarily for medical care DP*
Glucose monitoring equipment Yes, blood glucose meters and test strips for diagnostic purposes
Guide dog or other animal aide Yes, includes expenses related to purchase, training and care of animal used by vision-impaired or hearing-impaired person
Hair removal /hair transplant No, usually cosmetic
Health club dues and fees No for general health purposes, but may be allowed if prescribed by a doctor to treat a specific medical condition  DP*
Hearing aids Yes, includes cost of hearing aid and batteries
Hemorrhoid treatments Yes
Home care Yes, if expenses qualify as nursing services. No if for long term care  DP*
Hormone replacement therapy Yes if used primarily for medical care DP*
Hospital services Yes
Illegal operations or treatments No
Immunizations Yes
Incontinence supplies Possibly, if used to relieve the effects of a particular disease  DP*
Infertility treatments See Fertility Enhancements
Insect bite creams and ointments Yes
Insulin Yes
Insurance premiums Yes, VHSP plan only.
In vitro fertilization See Fertility Enhancements
Lab fees Yes, if part of medical care
Lamaze classes May be partially reimbursable, to the extent that the instruction relates to birth and not child rearing. Amounts for the coach or significant other are not reimbursable.  DP*
Language training for dyslexic/ disabled child Yes  DP*
Laser / Lasik eye surgery / Radial Keratotomy Yes, if for correction of eye function
Laxatives Yes
Learning disability Yes, expenses for special school or specially trained teacher (prescribed by doctor) for a child who has severe learning disability caused by mental or physical impairment
Lodging at hospital or similar institution Yes if there to receive medical care
Lodging not at hospital or similar institution Yes, up to $50/night, provided: (1) lodging is primarily for and essential to medical care, (2) medical care is provided in a hospital or medical facility related to or equivalent to licensed hospital (3) lodging is not lavish (4) no element of personal pleasure, recreation or vacation in the travel.
Lodging while attending medical conference No
Long term care insurance premiums Yes, VHSP plan only. Subject to qualified deductibility limits.
Long term care services Generally no
Marijuana or other controlled substances No, even if legal in certain states
Massage therapy No, unless prescribed by a doctor to treat medical condition related to trauma or injury  DP*
Mastectomy-related special bras No, unless prescribed for mental health treatment DP*
Medic-alert bracelet or necklace Yes, if recommended by a medical practitioner in connection with treating a medical condition DP*
Medical conference admission & transportation Yes  DP*
Medical monitoring and testing devices Yes, including blood pressure monitors, syringes, glucose kit, etc.
Medical records charges (to transfer records to new practitioner) Yes
Medical services Yes if legal medical service is recommended by physician, surgeon, specialist or other medical practitioner
Medicare Part B premiums Yes, VHSP plan only.
Medicare Part D premiums Yes, VHSP plan only.
Medicare Advantage premiums Yes, VHSP plan only.
Medicare supplement insurance premiums Yes, VHSP plan only.
Medicines & drugs Yes. See Drugs & medicines.
Mileage for medical services (2009) Yes, 24 cents per mile driven for medical services. NOTE: Automatically calculated if using online claims filing.
Motion sickness pills Yes
Nasal sprays or strips Yes if used to treat sinus problems or sleep apnea DP*
Naturopathic healers, dietary substitutes and drugs and medicines Generally no DP*
Nicotine gum or patches Yes
Norplant insertion or removal Yes. See contraceptives; birth-control pills; vasectomy and spermidical foam
Nursing home expenses Possibly reimbursable if main reason for being there is to get medical care.  DP*
Nursing services provided by nurse or other attendant Yes, so long as services are of a kind generally performed by a nurse.  DP*
Nursing services for a baby No if baby is normal and healthy
Nutritionist’s professional expenses Possibly. if treatment relates to a specifically diagnoses medical condition  DP*
Nutritional supplements No if merely beneficial for general health, but possibly reimbursable if recommended by a medical practitioner for a specific medical condition DP*
Obstetrical expenses Yes
Occlusal guards to prevent teeth grinding Yes
Optometrist Generally yes
Organ donors See Transplants
Orthodontia Generally yes, unless for cosmetic purposes
Orthopedic shoes and inserts Yes to the extent they exceed cost of regular shoes DP*
Over-the-counter medicines See Drugs and Medicines  DP*
Ovulation monitor Yes
Pain relievers Yes
Patterning exercises Yes, for exercises to a mentally retarded child
Physical exams Yes, if not employment-related
Physical therapy Yes, to treat specific medical condition
Pregnancy test kits Yes
Prenatal vitamins Generally yes DP*
Propecia Generally no, if purchased for cosmetic purposes DP*
Psychiatric care Yes if for medical care
Psychoanalysis or psychologist Yes, if for medical care and not just for the general improvement of mental health, relief of stress, etc. DP*
Retiree medical, dental and vision insurance premiums Yes, VHSP plan only.
Retin A No, unless treating a specific medical condition such as acne vulgaris  DP*
Rogaine No  DP*
Safety glasses No, unless prescription lenses
Schools and education, residential Possibly, if the school or program is to treat behavioral, emotional and/or addictive conditions if the primary purpose of the program is medical care DP*
Schools and education, special Possibly, if the main reason for using the school is its resources for relieving the disability of a mentally-impaired or physically-disabled person. Includes Braille, lip-reading and remedial language training. No if the main purpose of school is disciplinary.DP*
Screening tests Yes if used for medical diagnosis
Sleep deprivation treatment Probably yes with respect to testing and treatment if person is under care of a medical practitioner
Smoking cessation program Yes, including both prescription and over the counter drugs and medicines
Special foods (such as foods needed for a gluten-free or salt-free diet) Yes, if prescribed by a physician to treat a specific illness or ailment and is not a substitute for normal nutritional requirements. Reimbursement is limited to the difference between the cost of special food and the cost of commonly available regular food  DP*
Spermicidal foam Yes
Sperm, storage fees Maybe, for temporary storage but only to the extent necessary for immediate conception  DP*
Sterilization procedures Yes if legally-performed operation
Stop-smoking program Generally, yes
Sunglasses Yes, if they are prescription lenses
Sunscreen No, unless person has a prior history of skin cancer and would not have bought sunscreen “but for” medical condition  DP*
Suntan lotion No
Supplies to treat medical condition Yes, if used to diagnose or treat a specific medical condition and is not a personal comfort item
Surrogate expenses Generally no even if for medical care of surrogate or unborn child.
Taxes on medical services and products Yes, to the extent imposed on reimbursable medical care or products.
Teeth whitening and bleaching No
Telephone equipment for hearing impaired persons Yes, for expenses of buying and repairing special telephone equipment for hearing-impaired person  DP*
Television equipment for hearing impaired persons Yes, but reimbursable amount is limited to the cost that exceeds cost of regular item  DP*
Thermometers Yes
Toothache and teething pain relievers Yes
Toothbrushes or Toothpaste No, even if dentist recommends special ones to treat medical condition
Transplants Yes, for surgical, hospital and labor services and transportation expenses for donors
Transportation to and from medical conference Yes, for admission and transportation expenses to a medical conference relating to the chronic disease of the individual’s dependent (meals and lodging are not eligible)  DP*
Transportation and related travel expenses for person receiving medical care Yes, if travel is primarily for, and essential to, medical care. Includes parking fees and tolls. Car mileage is reimbursed at the current rate set by the IRS each year DP*
Vasectomy Yes
Viagra Yes, to treat medical condition
Vitamins No, to promote general good health. Eligible if legal and recommended by medical practitioner to treat a specific medical condition  DP*
Weight loss programs and/or drugs prescribed to induce weight loss Yes, if prescribed by doctor to treat obesity or other medical condition  DP*
Wheelchair Yes
X-ray fees Yes, if received for medical reasons

Common Dependent Care Reimbursement Requests - Flex Plan Only
Expense Eligible?
Advance payment of day care expense No
After-school care or extended day programs (supervised activities for children after the regular school program) Yes, these programs are generally custodial in nature and its primary purpose is care for children while their parents work
Au pair expenses Yes, but not airfare or other fixed costs
Chauffeur No
Child of participant, amounts paid to for child care No, unless child is age 19 or older and cannot be claimed as a dependent of the participant or participant’s spouse
Cook Generally no, except where attributable in part to child care
Dependent care center expense Yes, provided they meet requirements of Code § 21(b)(2)(C)
Disabled spouse or tax dependent that lives outside of household No, they must regularly spend at least 8 hours per day in the employee’s household
Educational expenses - first grade and above No, educational expenses are not considered expenses for care
Educational expenses - kindergarten No, expenses are considered educational in nature and not custodial (regardless of half- or full-day, private or public, state mandated or voluntary)
Educational expenses - pre-kindergarten or nursery school Yes, since care is primarily custodial in nature
Elder care / assisted living / custodial care / long term care / nursing home  Only if such expenses are not attributable to medical services and the qualifying individual spends at least 8 hours per day in the participant’s household
FICA and FUTA taxes of day care provider Yes
Food expenses No, if charged separately from dependent care expense
Gardener No
Household services, e.g., housekeeper, maid, cook Generally no, except where attributable in part to child care
Incidental expenses - e.g., extra charges for diaper changing, special activities, etc. No, if charged separately from dependent care expense
Looking for work - dependent care expenses incurred to enable participant to look for work Yes
Maid Generally no, except where attributable in part to child care
Nanny expenses Yes, to the extent the expense is attributable to dependent care expenses and expenses of household services attributable in part to care of qualifying individual
Overnight camp No
Registration fees for care No, most fees do not go toward the care of a qualifying individual
Relative of a participant, expenses paid to for child care (e.g. parent or grandparent of participant) Yes, unless the relative is a tax dependent of the participant or child under age 19
Sick-child facility Yes, if they are incurred to enable partici-pant to go to work when the child is ill
Sick employee (care for dependent when the participant stays home sick) No
Summer day-camp Yes, to the extent attributable to dependent care (should be custodial in nature and not educational)
Transportation expenses No, if charged separately from dependent care expense
Volunteer work - expenses incurred to enable participant to volunteer No, if the volunteer work is unpaid work or for nominal pay