Toothbrush: FSA and HSA Eligibility
Learn whether your toothbrush qualifies for FSA or HSA reimbursement and when you need a letter of medical necessity from a clinician for an electric toothbrush.
4 minute read
Short answer
Manual toothbrushes and toothpaste aren't reimbursable from an FSA, HSA or HRA. According to IRS Publication 502, "the cost of a toothbrush and toothpaste is a nondeductible personal expense." An electric toothbrush can be reimbursable with a letter when a clinician diagnoses a gum condition and explains why it's medically necessary.
The letter has to be dated on or before your purchase. Request yours before you buy.
Manual vs electric toothbrushes and reimbursement
Whether a toothbrush qualifies depends on the type. A manual toothbrush is a personal hygiene item with no medical basis for reimbursement. An electric toothbrush moves into medical territory only when a licensed clinician ties it to a diagnosed condition like gum disease or periodontitis.
Type | Reimbursable? | When |
|---|---|---|
Manual toothbrush | No | Never. Not a medical expense under IRS rules. |
Electric toothbrush (Sonicare, Oral-B, etc.) | With a letter | When a clinician names a diagnosed gum condition and prescribes the device to treat it. |
Toothpaste | No | Never. Considered a personal hygiene product. |
How to use your FSA or HSA for toothbrushes
You can buy a toothbrush from any retailer with any card: credit, debit, or BNPL. There's no special enrollment or FSA-only store. The letter you need (if the toothbrush requires one) has to be dated on or before your purchase date. So if you're buying an electric toothbrush for a diagnosed gum condition, request your letter first. No letter, no charge. If your administrator denies the claim, Burst writes the appeal.
When you need a letter and when you don't
Reimbursable outright (no letter needed)
Nothing in the toothbrush category qualifies outright. Manual toothbrushes and toothpaste aren't reimbursable under IRS Publication 502.
Reimbursable with a letter
An electric toothbrush can be reimbursable when a clinician writes that you have a diagnosed gum condition, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Under IRS Publication 502, items usually for personal use can become medical expenses when "used primarily to prevent or alleviate a physical or mental disability or illness." An electric toothbrush to treat a diagnosed gum condition qualifies.
Not reimbursable at all
Manual toothbrushes and toothpaste fall into this category because they're general dental hygiene items. Electric toothbrushes also fall here when there's no diagnosed gum condition, since they'd be bought for general wellness rather than medical necessity.
What the letter has to say
Your clinician will state your diagnosed gum condition and one sentence explaining why the electric toothbrush treats it.
For example: you have periodontitis. An electric toothbrush with oscillating bristles reduces plaque and inflammation.
The letter must be dated on or before your purchase.
Other dental care items and reimbursement
Toothbrushes and toothpaste sit at the personal-care end of dental expenses. Most actual dental treatment is reimbursable outright: cleanings, x-rays, fillings, root canals, braces, extractions, and dentures all qualify under IRS Publication 502. Services performed by a dentist or hygienist for "the prevention and alleviation of dental disease" are covered. Cosmetic dental work, like teeth whitening, is never reimbursable.
Other take-home hygiene products like floss and mouthwash are also personal expenses and aren't reimbursable.
Getting toothbrush reimbursed with Burst
Burst handles the letter and the claim. You request the letter of medical necessity in about two minutes for $35, a licensed clinician reviews it, and it typically lands in your inbox within 24 hours. Burst files the reimbursement claim with your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator. The administrator pays you out of your account by deposit or check. No letter, no charge. Claim denied, money back. Request it before you buy, because the letter has to be dated on or before the purchase it covers.
Get reimbursed for my toothbrush
Frequently asked questions
Is a Sonicare or Oral-B electric toothbrush FSA eligible?
Only with a letter from a clinician diagnosing a gum condition. An electric toothbrush bought for general wellness or daily brushing isn't eligible.
Do I need a letter for a regular manual toothbrush?
No. A manual toothbrush is classified as a personal hygiene item and isn't reimbursable from an FSA, HSA or HRA.
Can I use my HSA for an electric toothbrush?
Yes, if you have a clinician's letter diagnosing a gum condition. HSA rules for medical expenses are the same as FSA and HRA rules.
Is toothpaste reimbursable?
No. Toothpaste is a personal hygiene product and isn't reimbursable from an FSA, HSA or HRA.
What counts as a qualified gum condition for an electric toothbrush letter?
A clinician (dentist, periodontist, or dental hygienist) has to diagnose the condition. Examples include gingivitis, periodontitis, gum recession, or other conditions where they document that an electric toothbrush is medically necessary to treat it.
When should I request my letter?
Before you buy. The letter has to be dated on or before your purchase for the reimbursement to go through.
Keep reading: Can you use an FSA or HSA for dental?, IRS qualified expenses: FSA and HSA eligibility, and all guides on this topic.
Sources
IRS Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses (toothbrush and toothpaste as personal expenses, dental treatment, electric toothbrush as a special form of personal item for diagnosed conditions)
IRS Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (HSA eligibility and use rules for qualified medical expenses)
More in
