Are full body scans eligible for FSA or HSA funds?

Eligibility often depends on medical necessity. If a doctor recommends or prescribes a full body scan for diagnostic or preventative purposes due to symptoms, family history, or other risk factors, it is more likely to be considered an eligible expense for FSA or HSA funds. Without a doctor's referral, it may not qualify.

Can I Use FSA or HSA Funds for a Full Body Scan?

A Modern Mri Scanner In A Dimly Lit, Blue-Toned Hospital Room, With The Patient Table Extended Forward From The Machine'S Central Tunnel.

Spending on preventive healthcare has increased significantly in recent years, with per capita spending on preventive care in the U.S. reaching $741 in 2020, up from $343 in 2019. The increased spending aligns with the growing awareness of the value of preventive healthcare and the importance of early detection. In addition to reducing the cost of treatment and improving the prognosis after early detection, it’s estimated that preventive healthcare in the U.S. saves over 100,000 lives each year.

One of the obstacles to preventive healthcare is the issue of finances. You may wonder if you can use your flexible spending account (FSA), or health savings account (HSA) funds for preventive health care.

If you’re considering preventative scans, you may be able to cover expenses with FSA or HSA funds. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations and other factors, such as medical necessity, may determine whether you can use your FSA or HSA funds for a full body scan.

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What Are FSA and HSA Accounts?

Individuals with health care through their employer can opt to contribute to an FSA fund. These funds are available to cover costs that their health insurance doesn’t cover, such as deductible fees.

Health savings account (HSA) funds are available to individuals with high-deductible health insurance plans purchased through the public marketplace. Like FSA funds, individuals deposit money into their HSA accounts to have funds available for out-of-pocket health costs.

Individuals investing in FSA or HSA funds invest pre-tax income. This means they do not pay taxes on these funds.

Since FSA funds are intended for individuals with employer-provided health insurance plans, the employer establishes the guidelines for their use. These individuals must use their funds each year or lose them.

Individuals with HSA funds have more control over the funds and will not lose them if they do not use them, as the funds roll over from year to year.

What Is a Full Body Scan?

A full body computed tomography (CT) scan captures images of what’s going on inside your body. These body scans can provide diagnostic information about many health conditions, including the following:

Blood clots
Cancer
Fractures
Heart disease
Infections
Internal bleeding

Full body scans can help with the prevention or early diagnosis of diseases, such as cancer. CT scans are beneficial for those exhibiting symptoms, or with an increased risk of cancer or heart disease. Younger adults without symptoms who do not have an increased risk may not need to invest in a body scan.

Are Full Body Scans FSA or HSA Eligible?

The primary purpose of FSA and HSA funds is to cover essential healthcare, diagnostic, and treatment costs. This means you may not be able to use these funds to pay for optional preventative health care costs or costs related to general wellness, such as the cost of fitness programs.

Whether you can use your FSA or HSA funds to pay for your CT scans in Las Vegas may depend on whether your physician referred you. Perhaps your doctor has noted you have some symptoms that warrant investigation for diagnostic purposes, or your doctor is concerned about your family history of heart disease.

If your doctor recommends a body scan for either diagnostic or preventative health purposes, you may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to cover the cost. However, if you want a scan but do not have specific health concerns related to symptoms, family history, or lifestyle risks, you may not be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to pay for the scan.

The IRS provides detailed information about eligible medical expenses, which can help you confirm whether you could use your FSA or HSA funds to pay for a scan.

What Should You Do Before Paying With FSA or HSA?

You must confirm that you can use your funds to cover the cost of a full-body scan or other medical expenses. Since the terms for use of funds differ based on the type of fund and insurance plan, you must confirm what is and is not covered.

You can increase the likelihood you can use your funds to pay for a body scan by securing a written recommendation from your doctor. If your doctor prescribes the scan, there’s a greater likelihood it will be considered a necessary medical expense and qualify for FSA or HSA funds.

Once you secure your referral, contact your fund’s administrator to verify that you can use your funds.

Keep documentation of your doctor’s referral for the scan, the fund administrator’s confirmation of approval, and the costs of the scan. You may need all of this documentation when filing for reimbursement, and will need it when filing taxes.

Your Health and Your Benefits

Your FSA or HSA funds may cover the cost of preventive healthcare, such as a full-body scan. Your eligibility depends on your fund’s rules and whether your doctor recommends the scan. You should consult your fund’s administrator to confirm whether you can use your funds before booking your scan.

Preventative Diagnostic Center in Las Vegas offers full-body scans with or without a doctor’s referral. Our medical team is available to discuss your concerns and perform a scan that gives you peace of mind, or critical medical information you can use to address any health issues the scan identifies.