Is Waterpik FSA or HSA Eligible?
A Waterpik water flosser may be reimbursable from your FSA, HSA or HRA if your dentist prescribes it to treat a diagnosed gum condition such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
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Short answer
Waterpik water flossers can be reimbursable with a letter of medical necessity when a dentist or hygienist diagnoses a gum condition and writes that the device treats it. Without a letter, Waterpik is treated like regular floss. It's a personal care item and not reimbursable. The IRS considers interdental cleaning devices reimbursable when used to address a medical need.
Request your letter before you buy the Waterpik. The letter has to be dated on or before the purchase it covers. Once you have it, you can use any card to pay and get reimbursed from your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator.
The answer: Waterpik is reimbursable with a letter
Waterpik qualifies as a medical expense under FSA, HSA and HRA rules when a clinician prescribes it for a specific gum condition. You can include in medical expenses the amounts you pay for the prevention and alleviation of dental disease, according to IRS Publication 502. A water flosser recommended by a dentist to treat gingivitis, periodontitis or another diagnosed gum problem meets that standard.
When Waterpik is reimbursable, when it needs a letter, when it's not
Waterpik is reimbursable only with a letter from a dentist or dental hygienist. Unlike dental treatment such as cleanings or fillings, which Publication 502 lists as reimbursable outright, Waterpik must be prescribed for a diagnosed condition.
Scenario | Reimbursable? | Why |
|---|---|---|
Waterpik prescribed for gingivitis or periodontitis | With a letter | Your dentist names a diagnosed gum condition and explains how the device treats it |
Waterpik for general oral hygiene (no specific condition) | Not reimbursable | General dental hygiene is a personal care expense, like regular floss |
Waterpik recommended after periodontal surgery | With a letter | If tied to treatment of a diagnosed dental condition |
What the letter has to say
Your dentist or hygienist writes one sentence explaining your diagnosed condition and how Waterpik treats it. Examples: 'You have gingivitis and need water irrigation to reduce inflammation and prevent further disease' or 'Your periodontal disease requires daily deep cleaning that this device provides.' The letter connects the device to medical treatment, not general health improvement.
How to buy Waterpik with a letter
Request your letter before you buy. Pay any way you like. FSA or HSA card, credit card, debit card, or cash all work. You can buy from any retailer. Your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator reimburses you from your account by check or deposit after you submit your receipt and the letter, following the account rules in Publication 969. The letter must be dated on or before the date of purchase.
Related items in oral hygiene and dental care
Dental cleanings and exams are reimbursable outright. No letter needed. An electric toothbrush is reimbursable with a letter for a diagnosed gum condition. Regular floss, mouthwash and toothpaste are not reimbursable because they're personal care items. If your dentist recommends any device for a specific gum or tooth condition, request a letter and ask Burst about coverage.
Getting Waterpik reimbursed with Burst
If what you're buying needs a letter of medical necessity, Burst writes it and files the claim. $35 once, about two minutes to request, reviewed by a licensed clinician, typically in your inbox within 24 hours. Burst files the reimbursement claim with your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator, and the administrator pays you out of your account by deposit or check. No letter, no charge. Claim denied, money back. The letter has to be dated on or before the purchase it covers, so request it before you buy.
Get reimbursed for my Waterpik
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my HSA for a Waterpik?
Yes, with a letter. If a dentist prescribes it for a diagnosed gum condition, you can be reimbursed from your HSA, FSA or HRA. Request the letter before you buy.
Is regular Waterpik reimbursable, or do I need a prescription?
You don't need a prescription from a doctor, but you do need a letter from your dentist or hygienist explaining why it treats your specific gum condition. That letter, not a prescription, is what makes it reimbursable.
What if my dentist recommends Waterpik but doesn't write a letter?
Without a letter from your dentist, Waterpik is treated as a personal hygiene item and is not reimbursable. Ask your dentist to write the letter if they believe the device is medically necessary for your condition.
Does Waterpik count as floss for FSA/HSA purposes?
No. Regular floss is not reimbursable because it's a general hygiene product. Waterpik is reimbursable only when your dentist prescribes it for a specific gum disease or condition and provides a letter explaining why.
Can I get reimbursed for Waterpik I already bought?
No. The letter has to be dated on or before the purchase it covers. Request the letter from your dentist first, then buy the Waterpik.
How much does a Waterpik letter cost?
Burst issues letters for $35 once. The letter is reviewed by a licensed clinician and typically arrives in your inbox within 24 hours. If the claim is denied, you get your $35 back.
Keep reading: Can you use FSA or HSA for dental work, Toothpaste and electric toothbrush eligibility, Complete list of FSA eligible items, and all guides on this topic.
Sources
IRS Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses (prevention and alleviation of dental disease, general definition of qualified medical expenses)
IRS Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (FSA, HSA and HRA qualified medical expense rules)
