FlexSpend for baby's medical expenses/doula/nursing expenses?

[Anonymous]

OP here again...Thanks so much...this was really helpful. Yes, we are going through open enrollment. It sounds like I can change the FSA amount after the baby is born.

BTW, I got lucky and heard from someone at our FlexSpend administration company (we don't do it through insurance but through a private company that administers it). She told me which of the following were considered eligible expenses under our plan...

1) doula program
* the administrator said: This is one of those "potentially" eligible expenses. Doula expenses may qualify to the extent that instruction relates to child birth and not child rearing. Only those expenses for services related to child birth are covered; pre-natal care, post-partum care and newborn care instruction do not qualify. Additonally, the doula must be licensed.


2) copay for office visits for baby’s medical care - would be covered

3) nursing expenses

* rent breast pump from hospital - not covered unless there is a medical reason for breast feeding i.e recommended by physician to treat a breast abcess. It is not covered if using a breast pump for personal reasons.

* visits with lactation consultant - not covered

* breast feeding supplies such as bottles - not covered

* OTC prenatal/nursing vitamins the doctor told me to take during time I am nursing - covered; although if the receipt doesn't clearly show that they are pre-natal you may be asked for a doctor's note

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Thanks again...I think parents need to unite so that we get more of these expenses covered under insurance, or at least Flexspend...I think there are pretty good medical reasons for breastfeeding other than treating breast abcesses!!! If contact lens solution is covered, then why not nursing and doula expenses?

[Anonymous]

And if you have leftover at the end:

My FIL is a dentist and told me this weekend that he has patients prepay at the end of the year with leftover Flex dollars. I thought that was a great idea, since we just forfeited $200! WE came out ahead anyways, but it kills me to throw that away.

Also, you can always stock up on bandaids and tylenol if you realize that you have leftover money. Especially if you have a bandaid addict in your house, like we do. We didn't realize until it was too late. Grrr.

[Anonymous]

For those who use the flex account for over-the-counter items, how do you provide proof of expenses? Is a regular receipt usually sufficient? I am wondering because those don't usually show much detail and it seems like the admin of my plan wants very specific, descriptive receipt. I haven't tried submitting any OTC items yet, but it seems like a receipt that reads "BBY ORJ" may need further "decoding" that it was in fact Baby Orajel.

[Anonymous]

Providing proof of receipt depends on your company. For all receipts you should make a copy before submitting to the FSA company for reimbursement.

The 14:25 poster provided a great link to the IRS's guidelines. This should be the basis for all flexible spending accounts. If the IRS doesn't allow it, the FSA company shouldn't allow it.

Other things Flexible spending accounts can be used for are contacts, prescription glasses, First Aid kits, drugs....I bought all of my baby's medicine using the FSA money. Also, when I had a surplus at the end of one year I used it to buy some nice First Aid kits for the house and the car.

To the OP - you can enroll now, but you can also enroll within the first 30 days after your "life event". I believe if you enroll now you can only increase the amount you set aside and not decrease the amount. So perhaps you can start contributing now, but then change the number once you deliver.