Using Your FSA or HSA at Target: What's Eligible
Target sells both FSA and HSA eligible items and non-eligible items. Learn which categories are reimbursable outright, which need a letter, and which aren't covered.
8 minute read
Short answer
Target carries eligible and non-eligible items. Reimbursable outright: OTC medicines, medical devices, prescription glasses, dental care, and menstrual products. Reimbursable with a letter: vitamins, supplements, fitness equipment, and personal care tied to diagnosed conditions. Not reimbursable: toiletries, cosmetics, clothing, and food.
What you can buy depends on your FSA, HSA or HRA plan and whether you have a letter of medical necessity. The plan document governs which items your administrator will reimburse. Request your letter before you buy so your purchase date is covered.
What Target items your FSA or HSA covers
Target is one of the largest retailers in the US, and it stocks items across three eligibility categories. Reimbursable outright means your FSA, HSA or HRA pays the full cost with just a receipt. Reimbursable with a letter means a licensed clinician must explain in writing how the item treats a specific diagnosed condition. Not reimbursable means your account won't cover it because it falls outside the IRS definition of medical care.
How to read the list
Every item at Target falls into one of three categories. Medical expenses must treat a disease or health condition. If an item serves this purpose and isn't personal care or cosmetics, it's reimbursable. Otherwise it depends on your plan or requires a letter from a clinician.
OTC and pharmacy items at Target
Target's pharmacy and over-the-counter medicine section is where most reimbursable purchases happen. Over-the-counter medicines are reimbursable outright from an FSA, HSA or HRA. The CARES Act of 2020 restored them, removing the old requirement that a medicine be prescribed. Insulin has always qualified: "You can also include amounts you pay for insulin" (Publication 502). This means you can now buy common medicines at Target's pharmacy or drugstore shelves without a prescription and get reimbursed from your FSA, HSA or HRA.
Item | FSA, HSA or HRA? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Pain relievers, allergy medicine, cold and cough medicine, antacids, sleep aids, antihistamines | Reimbursable outright | The old rule excluded OTC drugs. The CARES Act of 2020 restored OTC medicines and drugs to full reimbursement eligibility. |
OTC topical creams and acne treatments | Reimbursable outright | CARES Act expanded OTC eligibility to include these items |
Insulin | Reimbursable outright | "You can also include amounts you pay for insulin" |
Prescription medicines and drugs | Reimbursable outright | "You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for prescribed medicines and drugs" |
Vitamins, supplements, protein, probiotics, creatine, collagen | Reimbursable with a letter | "Unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition" |
Medical marijuana or CBD | Not reimbursable | Federal law bars reimbursement even where state-legal |
Personal care and general toiletries at Target
Target's personal care section includes many items that aren't eligible. The IRS says items for personal care aren't reimbursable unless it is used primarily to prevent or alleviate a physical or mental disability or illness. The key distinction: is the item for general hygiene or for treating a diagnosed condition?
Most items in Target's personal care aisle are ineligible because they serve general hygiene purposes, not medical treatment.
Item | Eligibility | Why |
|---|---|---|
Shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash | Not reimbursable | Personal care items, not medical treatment |
Deodorant | Not reimbursable | General toiletry, not tied to disease or disability |
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash | Not reimbursable | "The cost of a toothbrush and toothpaste is a nondeductible personal expense" |
Electric toothbrush | Reimbursable with a letter | Reimbursable if a clinician diagnoses a gum condition it treats |
Sunscreen SPF 15 or higher, broad spectrum | Reimbursable outright | Recognized as medical protection, not general cosmetics |
Lip balm with SPF 15 or higher | Reimbursable outright | Functional sun protection, not cosmetic |
Cosmetics, lipstick, makeup, nail polish | Not reimbursable | Cosmetic products for appearance, not medical treatment |
Teeth whitening, hair removal products | Not reimbursable | Cosmetic procedures and products for appearance |
Menstrual care products (tampons, pads, cups, liners) | Reimbursable outright | CARES Act 2020 made these eligible |
Vision and dental at Target
Target's vision center carries eligible eyewear. Target also stocks dental care items. Here are the eligibility rules for vision and dental products at Target.
Item | Eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Prescription glasses, contacts, contact solution | Reimbursable outright | |
Prescription sunglasses | Reimbursable outright | Prescription eyewear qualifies as medical |
Reading glasses (non-prescription) | Reimbursable outright | Eyewear for medical vision correction |
Sunglasses without prescription | Not reimbursable | General accessories, not medical treatment |
Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash | Not reimbursable | Personal care items, not treatment of disease |
Medical devices and equipment at Target
Target stocks a growing selection of medical devices and health tracking equipment. Most are reimbursable outright.
Item | Eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Blood pressure monitors | Reimbursable outright | Medical device under IRS Publication 502 |
Glucose monitors and test strips | Reimbursable outright | Essential for diabetes management |
Pulse oximeters | Reimbursable outright | Medical device for respiratory and heart monitoring |
Thermometers | Reimbursable outright | Basic medical diagnostic tool |
TENS units | Reimbursable outright | Medical device for pain relief |
Hearing aid batteries | Reimbursable outright | "You can include in medical expenses the cost of a hearing aid and batteries, repairs, and maintenance needed to operate it" |
Fitness trackers and smart rings (non-medical) | Reimbursable with a letter | Reimbursable only if tied to a diagnosed condition a clinician names |
Massage guns and handheld massagers | Reimbursable with a letter | Reimbursable when prescribed or recommended by a clinician for a diagnosed condition |
Fitness and wellness at Target
Target carries fitness equipment and wellness items. Most are reimbursable only with a letter from a clinician who ties them to a diagnosed condition.
Item | Eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Fitness equipment (dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga mats) | Reimbursable with a letter | You can't include in medical expenses health club dues or amounts paid to improve one's general health unless a clinician prescribes the equipment for a diagnosed condition |
Fitness tracker or smart watch | Reimbursable with a letter | Reimbursable if a clinician documents that it monitors a diagnosed condition |
Yoga mat | Reimbursable with a letter | Eligible only if a clinician prescribes yoga for a diagnosed condition |
Massage chair | Reimbursable with a letter | Eligible when prescribed by a clinician for a diagnosed condition like back pain |
Weighted blanket | Reimbursable with a letter | Eligible if a clinician documents it treats a diagnosed condition such as anxiety or insomnia |
Air purifier or humidifier | Reimbursable with a letter | Eligible when a clinician ties it to treating a diagnosed respiratory condition |
Vitamins and supplements | Reimbursable with a letter | Reimbursable only if a clinician prescribes them for a specific diagnosed condition |
What changes by plan
Your FSA, HSA or HRA plan document controls which items your administrator will reimburse. Two employers might use the same type of plan but cover different items. For example, one employer's plan might reimburse fitness equipment with a letter, while another excludes it entirely. Your summary plan description, which you received when you enrolled, lists what your employer chose to cover. If you're unsure, ask your employer's benefits administrator.
How reimbursement gets paid
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. The letter must be dated on or before the purchase it covers, so request it before you buy.
Getting it 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my FSA or HSA on anything I buy at Target?
No. Target carries both eligible and non-eligible items. Medicines, medical devices, vision care, and some personal care items tied to a diagnosed condition are eligible. General household items, food, clothing, and cosmetics aren't. Your plan document also limits which items your administrator covers.
Do I need a letter to buy fitness equipment at Target with my FSA or HSA?
Yes, for most items. Fitness equipment, fitness trackers, yoga mats, and weighted blankets are reimbursable only with a letter from a clinician. Request the letter before you buy so the date covers your purchase.
Is sunscreen reimbursable at Target?
Yes, if it's SPF 15 or higher with broad-spectrum coverage. Sunscreen qualifies as medical protection. General cosmetic skincare products don't.
Are vitamins from Target reimbursable?
Only with a letter. "Unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition," vitamins aren't reimbursable. A clinician must tie the vitamin to a diagnosed condition.
Can I use my HSA at Target without a receipt?
You need a receipt for your administrator to approve the reimbursement claim. Keep your Target receipt along with your letter of medical necessity. Burst files the claim with your administrator, and the administrator pays you.
Can I buy food at Target with my FSA or HSA?
No. Food is classified as a personal care and living expense under IRS Publication 502 and is never reimbursable, regardless of whether it's labeled as healthy, organic, or targeted at a specific condition.
Are clothing and shoes reimbursable at Target?
No. Clothing and shoes are personal care items and fall outside the IRS definition of medical expenses. They're not eligible for reimbursement from an FSA, HSA or HRA, even if you have a letter for a diagnosed condition.
Keep reading: What Can I Use My FSA Funds On?, What Can I Use My HSA Funds On?, 75+ Surprising FSA/HSA Eligible Items, and all guides on this topic.
Sources
IRS Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses (definition of medical expenses, OTC drug eligibility, cosmetic surgery rules, eyeglasses and contact lenses, hearing aids, dental treatment, personal care items, toothbrush and toothpaste, vitamin supplements, health club dues, weight-loss programs, controlled substances)
IRS Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (FSA and HSA definitions, account types, medical expense coverage rules)
