Pain relief patches
Pain relief patches are eligible for HSA, FSA, and HRA accounts as they are considered over-the-counter medicines or drugs used for medical care.
Eligibility Matrix
Eligibility status for all account types
| Account Type | Status |
|---|---|
| HSA | Eligible |
| FSA | Eligible |
| HRA | Eligible |
Quick Reference
The IRS considers amounts paid for medicines and drugs to be qualified medical expenses. Following the CARES Act of 2020, over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and drugs, including pain relief patches, no longer require a prescription to be eligible for reimbursement from health spending accounts.
When It Qualifies
- •The pain relief patches must be used for medical care, meaning for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body.
When It Doesn't
- •Expenses for general health or cosmetic purposes are not eligible.
Similar Items
Official Source
IRS Publication 502 (2024)
Medicines and drugs
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
While generally eligible, specific plan administrators may have their own substantiation requirements. Always retain your receipts for tax purposes and consult with your plan administrator for any specific rules.