Bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery is eligible for HSA, FSA, and HRA reimbursement when performed to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.
Eligibility Matrix
Eligibility status for all account types
| Account Type | Status |
|---|---|
| HSA | Eligible |
| FSA | Eligible |
| HRA | Eligible |
Requirements
The surgery must be for the treatment of a specific disease diagnosed by a physician, such as obesity, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
Quick Reference
The IRS considers expenses for medical care to be amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body. Bariatric surgery, when performed to treat a specific disease like obesity, falls under this definition. It is not eligible if the primary purpose is for general health improvement or cosmetic reasons.
When It Qualifies
- •The surgery must be performed to treat a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (e.g., obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure).
- •Documentation from a physician confirming the diagnosis and medical necessity may be required for substantiation.
When It Doesn't
- •Surgery performed solely for cosmetic reasons.
- •Surgery for general health improvement without a diagnosed medical condition.
Similar Items
Official Source
IRS Publication 502 (2024)
What Is Medical Care? / Weight-loss programs
View on IRS.gov
Important Notice
- •Your specific plan may have different rules
- •Keep all receipts and documentation
- •This is informational only, not tax or legal advice
Eligibility can vary based on your specific health plan's rules. Always keep detailed receipts and documentation for all expenses. This information is for educational purposes only and not tax or legal advice.