medical expenses outside of U.S.

[teekaymn]

Is it permissible to use HSA money to pay for medical expenses outside of the U.S., or would they be non-qualified right off the bat?

 

[MichaelB]

I haven't seen anything specific, but medical expenses outside the US are legitimate deductions, so they should qualify as HSA eligible.

 

[kramer]

They are legit. On a tablet so will have to post the reference later.

 

[teekaymn]

I haven't seen anything specific, but medical expenses outside the US are legitimate deductions, so they should qualify as HSA eligible.

Thanks Michael. I figured that was the case, but I also wonder if some treatment methods that are commonplace in other countries might not make the cut, such as acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, voodoo, The Force, etc. (I think my health plan does cover some "acu" treatments.)

I haven't ever sought out anything in those categories, though the older I get the more open I am to non-traditional ideas.

 

[teekaymn]

They are legit. On a tablet so will have to post the reference later.

Thanks Kramer -- I always look forward to your posts and replies.

 

[MichaelB]

Kramer lives abroad and always gives us excellent links. In the meantime, here is a list of qualified medical expenses I often refer to. HSAcenter - Health Savings Accounts - Health Care and Savings for You and Your Family

 

[kramer]

I will have to post a good link later, although I am 100% sure about this. The extensive FAQ on the treasury.gov site seems to have disappeared (this is where the definitive information was located before) and the IRS booklets I looked at simply stated nothing about whether the foreign expenses were allowed or not (meaning they would be allowed, but still, I like it in writing that they are allowed). There are lots of links of other non-government sites stating that it is OK, but that is not quite the same thing. Off to the gym now . . .