What do you think (finance and slightly medical)?

[sam_gordon]

OK, first, DW is going to call her FSA folks to ask the question. I'm just wondering what people think the answer will be...

DW has had minor foot/hip pain for a while now. She finally brought it up to her PCP who gave her a referral to a podiatrist(?). They went over the problems, gave her some supports for her shoes and recommended purchasing new shoes and gave her a list of brand/models.

Since she turns down her employer's insurance (she's covered on mine), the employer puts money into an FSA for her. We use it for doctor appointments and medications.

Here's the question... can the FSA money be used to purchase the shoes recommended by the podiatrist? There's not a prescription for them, just a recommendation.

Again, she's going to get in touch with the FSA folks to ask, but wondering if there's a consensus.

And yes, it's definitely an FSA, not an HSA.

 

[lanejudy]

Probably not unless it's a special orthopedic shoe.

 

[John VN]

^^^^^

 

[soccerdad72]

Yeah, I’m going to guess probably not, since they’re not prescribed

 

[LuvOrlando]

Some brands yes, I tried Orthofeet who say they are but they were too bulky & heavy for me. Maybe ask the manufacturer or a medical distribution type place to see if they would special order.

If not certain I'd pay out of pocket and submit the letter along with the receipt asking for reimbursement. The people who run these accounts are pretty much auditors so what they say is fairly accurate. https://www.withflex.com/blog/how-to-use-your-hsa-fsa-to-pay-for-orthopedic-shoes

 

[RedHead0186]

I'm going to agree with PPs, likely not covered since they're not special shoes ("medical equipment."). But it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

[fla4fun]

My FSA had a very detailed list on their website of what was or was not covered. Have you looked to see if hers has the same?

Also, if the podiatrist appoint is fairly soon, perhaps wait and see if the podiatrist does issue a script for specific shoes or the reverse, that special shoes are not necessary. It seems to me like the PCP gave her a short term solution with the inserts and it would be a shame if she went out and bought specific shoes prior to getting any diagnosis from the podiatrist.

 

[mistysue]

You have to talk to the FSA - a few years back we actually switched FSA accounts mid-year, and they were under different providers. Even in the same tax year they had different rules for what counted. The new one was awesome, they even had a site for us to buy things like humidifiers and Band-Aids, women's hygiene products, etc. plus it was prices similar to local stores so there was no downside to it.
The old one had much more rigid rules and wouldn't have covered a shoe unless the pharmacist got out from behind the counter and rung it up themselves. (with special codes, at one point we figured out how to get Tylenol covered and they charged more to sell it through the pharmacy!!!)

 

[sam_gordon]

My FSA had a very detailed list on their website of what was or was not covered. Have you looked to see if hers has the same?

Also, if the podiatrist appoint is fairly soon, perhaps wait and see if the podiatrist does issue a script for specific shoes or the reverse, that special shoes are not necessary. It seems to me like the PCP gave her a short term solution with the inserts and it would be a shame if she went out and bought specific shoes prior to getting any diagnosis from the podiatrist.

I wasn't clear. The podiatrist gave her the recommendation and the list of shoes. They're all (recommended shoes) "over the counter". Podiatrist even said "Go to Dicks and try them on, don't just order online without trying them on".

DW is supposed to ask the FSA folks. I don't have access to her FSA account, so can't look/ask myself.

 

[lanejudy]

Podiatrist even said "Go to Dicks and try them on, don't just order online without trying them on".

Just regular athletic shoes available to anyone? VERY unlikely to be able to get that covered. She will need a letter of necessity to even try for reimbursement.

 

[china mom]

I wear Dr. Comfort Double depth shoes to accommodate my clunky orthotics. They were covered under FSA when I got them directly from the orthodics provider or podiatrist but not FSA eligible when I buy them through Amazon.

Actually, I stand corrected, I think insurance might have bought my first pair.

 

[Christine]

I didn't have any luck years ago with this. I've been in the podiatrist/ortho route for years and have been recommended the very pricey stability shoes. I think the answer I got was "no" unless it was a shoe that was was truly prescribed. One doctor I did go to, did sell a line of orthopedic shoes right in the office, but I never needed that level of shoe, but I think those are the types that would have been covered.