Search for Eligible Expenses
Eligible health care costs are costs that come from the: diagnosis, care, treatment, improvement, or prevention of a disease or illness.
Before you send in a claim, you can check if your health care cost is covered.
The search tool below shows a list of health care costs. To use the search tool, search the name of the health care cost. Then, check the info given to see if you can get money back.
For health care costs that need a Provider Statement, ask your provider to fill out a Letter of Medical Necessity. Then, send in the filled-out form with your claim.
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| HEALTH CARE EXPENSE TYPE | ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT | SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| A | ||
AA, Alcoholism, Drug, or Substance Abuse Treatments
|
Yes | Treatment and transportation to treatment are eligible. Donations, contributions (i.e., voluntary, no charge associated with treatment) are not eligible for reimbursement. |
| Abortion | Yes | |
Acne Treatment
|
Yes | |
Acne Treatment
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Over-the-counter acne treatments and kits are usually eligible. However, in office treatments require a Letter of Medical Necessity. |
Activity Tracker
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Data plans, accessories, and insurance for these products are not eligible for reimbursement. |
Acupuncture
|
Yes | |
Acupressure Treatment
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Adoption Fees | No | You may submit health care costs for an adopted child once they become your qualified dependent. This includes health care costs from the adoption process, like physical exams. |
| Affordable Care Act (ACA) Penalties | No | Tax penalties for not following the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (also known as the ACA or “Obamacare”) are not eligible for reimbursement. |
| Air Conditioner | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Air Purifier
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Allergy Relief (Equipment and Supplies)
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Allergy Relief (Medicine and Shots)
|
Yes | |
| Ambulance Services | Yes | |
| Anti-Itch Lotions and Creams | Yes | |
Artificial Insemination
|
Yes | See also Fertility Treatments. Storage Fees: allowed for Immediate Conception (within the same year). Egg Donor Fees: only if the recipient is a tax dependent. Surrogate Pregnancy: only if the recipient is a tax dependent. Gender reveal kits are not eligible. |
| Artificial Limb (prosthesis) or Teeth (dentures or implants) |
Yes | |
| Asthma Medicines | Yes | |
Audio Books
|
Potentially Eligible | You must provide record of a visual impairment or other disability that requires an audio/electronic version. |
Automobile
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Buying a vehicle is not a covered cost. |
| B | ||
Baby Formula
|
Yes | Allowed for immediate use within the same year. |
| Bike Share and Bike Share Membership
The cost of temporarily renting a bicycle including but not limited to the following companies:
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Does not include the rental of electric scooter. May be eligible as part of a recommended exercise program with a Letter of Medical Necessity. |
Birth Control / Family Planning
|
Yes | |
Blood Storage
|
Yes | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Allowed for immediate use within the same year. |
Body Scan
|
Yes | |
Botox Treatment
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Botox used to improve a deformity that comes from, or is directly related to, a birth defect, a disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from an accident or trauma is a covered cost. Botox used for the treatment of migraines is also a covered cost. |
| Braces and Other Orthodontics | Yes | |
| Braille Books and Magazines | Yes | |
Breast Pump and Lactation Supplies
|
Yes | See Baby Formula
|
| C | ||
| Capital Modification (House)
A capital modification is an expense incurred for the primary purpose of accommodating a personal residence to a disability.
This list is not exhaustive. |
Potentially Eligible | Only reasonable costs incurred to accommodate a personal residence to the disability are eligible. Additional costs for personal reasons, such as architectural or aesthetic reasons, are not allowable as medical expenses. |
Childbirth-Related
|
Yes | |
Childbirth-Related
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Only medical care (prenatal & delivery support) is eligible. Postnatal visits are only eligible if medical care is provided. Child or newborn care instruction are NOT eligible. |
| Chiropractor Fees | Yes | |
| Christian Science Practitioners | Yes | |
| Church of Scientology Practitioners | No | |
| Circumcision | Yes | |
| Classes, Health-Related | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. The training must be for the treatment of a specific medical condition and not for general health. |
Coinsurance
|
Yes | |
| Cold and Flu Medicine
(e.g. Dayquil, Nyquil, Sudafed, Theraflu, Triaminic, Tylenol Cold and Flu) |
Yes | |
| Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment | Yes | |
Colonic Cleansing/Wash
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Concierge (Boutique) Fees
|
Yes |
Eligible with Proof of Eligible Services. Proof of eligible medical services rendered is required. Only the specific amounts applied to the specific services are reimbursable. Documentation must be from a 3rd party and contain the Date of Service, Service Description, and amount charged/applied for that service. |
| Condoms | Yes | |
| Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Cleaner | Yes | |
| Contraceptive Products | Yes | See Birth Control / Family Planning. |
| Copayments | Yes | See Insurance Co-Pays. |
Cosmetic Products
|
No | |
Cosmetic Surgery and Procedures
This list is not exhaustive. |
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. A cosmetic surgery or procedure can be an covered cost if it is needed to improve a deformity that comes from, or is directly related to, a birth defect, a disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from an accident or trauma. |
Counseling
|
Yes | |
Counseling (Dual-Purpose)
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Cough Relief, Cough Medicine, and Cough Drops |
Yes | |
COVID
|
Yes | |
| D | ||
Dancing or Swimming
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed to show exercise program was recommended to treat medical condition. |
| Decongestants
(e.g. Claritin-D, Neo-Synephrine, Sudafed) |
Yes | |
| Deductibles | Yes | See Insurance Deductibles. |
| Dehydration/Rehydration
It contains only medically necessary electrolytes (typically sodium, potassium) and carbohydrates (like glucose) that support absorption. Products with added dietary supplements beyond electrolytes are not eligible. Examples of Eligible Rehydration Products:
|
Potentially Eligible |
Letter of Medical Necessity needed.
|
Dental Care and Prevention
This list is not exhaustive. |
Yes | |
Dental Treatment – Cosmetic
This list is not exhaustive. |
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. A cosmetic surgery or procedure can be an covered cost if it is necessary to improve a deformity that comes from, or is directly related to, a birth defect, a disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from an accident or trauma. |
Dentist Fees
This list is not exhaustive. |
Yes | |
Diabetic Supplies
|
Yes | |
| Diapers or Diaper Service | Potentially Eligible | Diapers for disabled people (other than a newborn) are eligible, but only if needed to relieve the effects of a certain disease. |
| Disabled Dependent Care Expenses | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Doctor Fees
This list is not exhaustive. |
Yes | Fees include the part of the cost not paid for by other health insurance (the “out-of-pocket” portion). Late fees, finance fees, fees for missed appointments, etc., are not covered health costs. |
Drugs/Medicines – Over-the-Counter
This list is not exhaustive. |
Yes | |
| Drugs/Medicines – Prescriptions | Yes | Imported drugs are not eligible. If prescribed while traveling, and legal in both the foreign country and the U.S., prescription medications can be considered eligible if obtained and consumed while traveling. |
| Drug Addiction Treatment | Yes | |
| E | ||
| Educational Material (related to a diagnosed illness) |
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Electrolysis or Hair Removal | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Electrolysis or hair removal can be a covered cost, but only if it is needed to improve a deformity that comes from, or is directly related to, a birth defect, a disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from an accident or trauma. |
Exercise Equipment and Programs
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. The exercise equipment and program must treat a health condition diagnosed by a health care provider (e.g., obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure). The cost of a weight loss program to improve your general health and appearance is not a covered cost. See also Weight Loss Program. |
| Eye Drops | Yes | |
Eyeglasses and Eye Care
|
Yes | The following items are not eligible:
|
| F | ||
Face Masks (for respiratory protection)
|
Yes | |
Face Masks (for respiratory protection)
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Facility Fees
|
Yes | |
Feminine Hygiene
|
Yes | Feminine Cleansing/Moisturizing Products are dual-purpose/require a Letter of Medical Necessity. Deodorant, cleansers, moisturizing products such as Replens. |
Fertility Treatments
|
Yes |
Treatment for multiple (twins/triplets) pregnancy: Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Egg Donor: Recipient’s medical expenses are eligible if the recipient is a tax dependent. Surrogate Pregnancy: only if the recipient is a tax dependent. Gender reveal kits are not eligible. |
| Fiber Supplements | Yes | |
| First Aid Supplies/Wound Care
(e.g. Band-Aids, Neosporin) |
Yes | |
Fitness Tracking Device
|
Potentially Eligible | Data plans, accessories, and insurance for these products are not eligible for reimbursement. Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Fluoride Treatments | Yes |
Fluoride Treatments Performed at Providers Office (e.g., fluoride rinses) are eligible. Prescriptions fluoride is eligible. Over-the-counter products such as Gel-Kam are dual purpose and require a letter of medical necessity |
| Food Supplements | Potentially Eligible | Only those specifically listed on IIAS are eligible. Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Founder’s Fee/Lifetime Care Advance Payments | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Funeral Expenses | No | |
| G | ||
Gender Re-Assignment
|
Yes | |
| Genetic Counseling and Testing (for a medical condition) |
Yes | |
Guide Dogs
|
Potentially Eligible | ESA Certification letter, ADA Certification or official documentation noting the animal is a service/guide dog are eligible. |
Gym Fees
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Gym fees paid for your general health, that are not related to a specific health condition, are not covered costs. |
| H | ||
Hair Loss Treatment
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Hair loss treatments are eligible if needed to improve a deformity that comes from, or is directly related to, a birth defect, a disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from an accident or trauma. Treatment for hair loss that happens as a normal part of aging, or because of inherited or genetic baldness, or for cosmetic purposes, is not covered. See also Wigs or Toupees. |
| Hair Transplant | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Surgical hair transplants are eligible if needed to improve a deformity that comes from, or is directly related to, a birth defect, a disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from an accident or trauma. Treatment for hair loss that happens as a normal part of aging, or because of inherited or genetic baldness, or for cosmetic purposes, is not covered. See also Wigs or Toupees. |
| Health Club Dues | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Amounts paid for health club dues or steam baths for your general health are not covered costs. They must be related to the treatment of a specific health condition. |
| Health Expenses Incurred Outside of the United States | Yes | When traveling medical care is eligible. See prescription drugs for information regarding imported medications. |
| Health Institute Fees | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Health institute fees are the costs associated with going to health-related courses, retreats, workshops, room & board, and wellness coaching. |
| Health Insurance Premiums | Yes | See Insurance Premiums. |
| Health Screenings or Routine Medical Exams
(e.g. VDRL, cholesterol, diabetes, glucose, blood pressure) |
Yes | |
| Healthy San Francisco Participant Fees | Yes | |
Hearing Aids
|
Yes | The cost of the television or telephone is not eligible. A covered cost would only include special changes needed for a disabled person to use the television or telephone. |
Hearing Aids
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. The iPhone is not eligible. |
| Hearing Exams | Yes | |
Heart Monitors
|
Yes | Data plans, accessories, and insurance for these products are not eligible for reimbursement. |
| Hemorrhoidal Preparations | Yes | |
Hippotherapy
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Recreational horseback riding is not a covered cost. |
| Home for Mentally Disabled Persons | Yes | |
Hospital Services/Fees
|
Yes | |
| House Modification | Potentially Eligible | See Capital Modification |
Household Help
|
No | Certain expenses paid to an attendant providing nursing type service may be eligible. See Nursing Services. |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Injections | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. HCG injections may be eligible for infertility treatment or to test for tumors. |
| Hypnosis | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Hypnosis may qualify if performed by a licensed professional to treat a medical condition (e.g., quitting smoking or weight loss due to a diagnosed health condition). Hypnosis does not qualify if performed for personal well-being, such as general stress relief. |
| I | ||
| Incontinence Supplies | Yes | The flat dollar amounts paid for medical services by the program participant. |
| Insurance Co-Pays | Yes | The flat dollar amounts paid for medical services by the program participant are eligible |
| Insurance Deductibles | Yes | The part of a medical claim that is not covered by a health insurance provider and must be paid by the program participant is covered. |
Insurance Premiums
|
Yes |
Acceptable documentation for employer NOT Covered:
|
| J | ||
Joint Supplements
|
Yes | |
| L | ||
Laboratory Fees
This list is not exhaustive. |
Yes | |
Lactose Intolerance Supplements
|
Yes | NOT Covered:
|
Lead-based Paint
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. The cost of repainting the scraped area is not a covered cost. |
| Learning Disability Treatments | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Legal Fees for Medical Care Authorizing Treatment for Mental Illness | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Fees related to guardianship or estate management are not covered costs. |
| Lice Treatment | Yes | |
Lodging (Hospital or Similar Institution)
|
Yes | Lodging at a hospital or similar place is a covered cost if the main reason for being there is to get health care. |
Lodging (Non-Hospital)
|
Potentially Eligible |
Letter of Medical Necessity needed. The cost of lodging not provided in a hospital or similar place while away from home is an covered health cost if:
|
| M | ||
| Marijuana | No | Payments for medications or treatments illegal in the United States are not eligible for reimbursements. State law does not supersede federal law (e.g., California marijuana dispensaries). |
Massage Device
|
Potentially Eligible |
Letter of Medical Necessity needed. NOT Covered:
|
Mastectomy-related supplies
|
Yes | |
Maternity
|
Yes | |
Maternity
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed |
Mattress
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Only specialty mattresses are allowed. The Letter of Medical Necessity must specifically state the exact specialty mattress recommended. |
Meals
|
Yes | Meals at a hospital or similar institution are covered costs if the main reason for being there is to receive medical care. |
Medical Alert
|
Yes | |
| Medical Conferences | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Medical Information
|
Yes | |
Medical Supplies
This list is not exhaustive. |
Yes | |
| Mental Health Services | Yes | See Therapy |
| Migraine Relief
(e.g. Advil Migraine, Motrin Migraine, Excedrin) |
Yes | |
Mobility Equipment
|
Yes | |
| Motion Sickness
(e.g. Dramamine, Marezine) |
Yes | |
| N | ||
| Nursing Home | Yes | |
Nursing Services
|
Yes | |
Nutritional Supplements
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| O | ||
| Optician/Optometrist Fees | Yes | |
| Orthodontics | Yes | |
Orthopedic Shoes
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Over-the-Counter Drugs | Yes | See Drugs/Medicines – Over-the-Counter. |
| Over-the-Counter Hormone Therapy | Yes | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Oxygen
|
Yes | |
| P | ||
| Pain Relief
(e.g. Advil, Aleve, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Naprosyn, Naproxen) |
Yes | |
| Pedometer | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Penile Implants | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. A penile implant is a covered cost only if impotence is due to organic causes such as trauma, postprostatectomy, or diabetes. |
Personal Care Services
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Personal Hygiene Products
|
No | |
Pest Control
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Prescription Drug Additives
|
Yes | |
| Prosthesis | Yes | |
| Psychiatric Care | Yes | |
| Psychoanalysis | Yes | |
| Psychologist | Yes | |
| R | ||
Radiology Fees
This list is not exhaustive |
Yes | |
| Radon Mitigation | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Rehydration Products
(e.g. Pedialyte) |
Yes | |
| S | ||
| Sales Tax or Shipping & Handling | Yes | Costs for sales or state-mandated taxes and shipping or handling fees associated with a covered cost; e.g., shipping and handling fees for lab work and other specimens, donors, etc. |
Service Animals for Disabled Persons
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Sinus Products
(e.g. 4-Way, Vicks, Allergy Buster) |
Yes | |
| Sleeping Aids
(e.g. Unisom) |
Yes | |
| Smoke Detector for Disabled Persons | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Smoking Cessation
(e.g. Commit, Nicoderm CQ, Nicorette, Nicotrol) |
Yes | |
| Snoring Cessation Aids | Yes | |
Special Education for Disabled Persons
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. The cost of a school for a mentally impaired or physically disabled person is a covered cost if the main reason is to treat or relieve the disability. For example: school for the visually impaired; lip reading to the hearing impaired; or remedial language training to correct a condition caused by a birth defect). The cost of a boarding school while recovering from an illness is not a covered cost. |
| Speech Therapy | Yes | |
Sterilization/Sterilization Reversal
|
Yes | |
| Stop-Smoking Program | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Student Health Fees | Yes | Only amounts applied to specific dates of eligible care are eligible for reimbursement. |
| Sunburn Relief | Yes | |
| Sunscreen | Yes | SPF >15 is eligible |
Surrogate Pregnancy
|
Yes | Expenses for an eligible tax dependent are allowed only. |
| Swimming Pools or Whirlpools | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Surgery, Non-Cosmetic | Yes | |
| Sun-Protective Clothing | No | |
| T | ||
| Tanning Bed | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
Telehealth, Telemedicine
|
Yes | |
Telephone for Disabled Persons
|
Potentially Eligible | The cost of the telephone is not covered. A covered cost would only include special changes needed for a disabled person to use the telephone. |
Therapy
|
Yes | NOT Covered:
|
Therapy (Dual-Purpose)
|
Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| Toothache/Teething Relief | Yes | |
| Topical Steroids
(e.g. Hydrocortisone) |
Yes | |
| Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Unit |
Yes | |
Transplants, Organ or Tissue
|
Yes | |
Transportation for Medical Care
|
Potentially Eligible |
Transportation costs may be reimbursed when the transportation is mainly for, and essential to, medical care. You must submit documentation with your claim to support its relation to medical care. For reimbursement for mileage for personal automobile, this information must be included with the request:
Mileage is only reimbursable if you’ve traveled to receive care or traveled to pick up eligible products. Travel reimbursement is not eligible for the purchase of products or services delivered to your home. The mileage reimbursement rate is determined by the IRS, which is subject to change. The current IRS mileage rate may be found on the IRS website at irs.gov. For reimbursement for plane, train, taxi, ride- sharing (e.g. Uber, Lyft), metro/subway, ferry, or bus fare, this information must be included with the request:
The following are not eligible transportation expenses: See Ambulance Services for separate eligibility rules. |
| Tuition Fees | Potentially Eligible | See Special Education for Disabled. Tuition fees paid to a private school as a personal preference over public schooling for general education are not eligible medical expenses. |
| U | ||
| Umbilical Cord Storage | Yes | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. Allowed for immediate use within the same year. |
| V | ||
| Vacations | No | |
| Vaccinations | Yes | |
| Vitamins and Minerals | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. |
| W | ||
Wart Removal
|
Yes | |
| Weight Loss Products | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. The weight loss program must treat a medical condition diagnosed by a health care provider (e.g., obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure). Only program fees are covered. The cost of food for use in weight loss treatment programs is not a covered cost. The cost of a weight loss program to improve your general health and appearance is not a covered cost. |
| Weight Loss Program | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. The weight loss program must treat a medical condition diagnosed by a health care provider (e.g., obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure). Only program fees are eligible. The cost of food for use in weight loss treatment programs is not an eligible expense. The cost of a weight loss program to improve your general health and appearance is not an eligible expense. |
Wheelchair
|
Yes | |
| Wigs or Toupees | Potentially Eligible | Letter of Medical Necessity needed. A wig or toupee can be an eligible expense if it is necessary to treat a medical condition or improve a deformity that arises from, or is directly related to, a birth defect, a disfiguring disease or an injury resulting from an accident or trauma. Treatment for hair loss that occurs as a normal part of aging or inherited or genetic baldness, or for cosmetic purposes, would not be covered. |
| X | ||
| X-Ray Fees | Yes | |