Can I Use My HSA/FSA for Past Purchases? Here's How

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Digging through old receipts wondering if you can still claim that expensive dental work from six months ago? The answer depends on which account you have and when the expense occurred. Understanding these rules can help you recover hundreds or thousands in overlooked reimbursements.

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HSA Retroactive Claims: No Time Limit

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Here's the best news about HSAs: there's no time limit for reimbursing yourself for qualified medical expenses. As long as the expense occurred after your HSA was established and you have proper documentation, you can claim reimbursement years later.

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The rules:

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• Expense must have occurred after your HSA was established
• You must have documentation proving it was qualified
• You can only reimburse up to your current HSA balance
• Cannot have been reimbursed by insurance or other sources

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Real example: Jennifer had $5,000 in dental work in 2020 but paid out-of-pocket. In 2025, she can still reimburse herself for that expense using current HSA funds.

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FSA Retroactive Claims: Strict Deadlines

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FSAs operate on much tighter timelines. Most require claims within 90-180 days of the expense date, with final deadlines often 2.5 months after plan year ends.

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Check your specific plan documents for exact deadlines. Unlike HSAs, once FSA deadlines pass, you typically cannot recover those expenses.

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Required Documentation

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You need proper documentation proving the expense was qualified:

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• Original receipts with provider name and date
• Clear description of services received
• Proof of payment
• Prescriptions or medical necessity letters for borderline items

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Wellness Pay's account scanning technology eliminates the guesswork here. Connect your accounts and our system instantly analyzes your past expenses, identifies which ones qualify for reimbursement, and ensures you have proper documentation before submitting claims.

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Common Past Expenses People Forget

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Most people miss 20-30% of their eligible past expenses simply because they don't know what qualifies. Wellness Pay's scanning technology reviews your transaction history and identifies these overlooked opportunities:

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• Specialist consultations and second opinions
• Physical therapy and mental health services
• Prescription drugs not fully covered by insurance
• Over-the-counter medications (purchased after 2019)
• Major dental work and orthodontics
• Vision correction and prescription glasses
• Medical travel expenses
• Durable medical equipment

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Real example: One Wellness Pay member discovered $1,800 in missed eligible expenses from the past year alone – vitamins their doctor had recommended, specialized skincare for a diagnosed condition, and medical supplies they didn't realize qualified.

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Maximizing Your Claims

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Organize records systematically. Create a system for tracking medical expenses, making retroactive claims easier.

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Use technology to your advantage. Wellness Pay's scanning technology analyzes past expenses and identifies which qualify for reimbursement, ensuring you don't miss legitimate claims.

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Prioritize high-value claims first. Focus on your largest qualified expenses to maximize tax savings.

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The Bottom Line

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HSAs offer unlimited time for retroactive claims, while FSAs have strict deadlines. Most people are sitting on hundreds or thousands in unclaimed eligible expenses.

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Wellness Pay's account scanning technology takes the work out of finding these missed opportunities. Connect your accounts and we'll instantly show you what qualifies for reimbursement, handle the documentation, and help you recover every dollar you're entitled to claim.