Are face masks FSA eligible?
The Internal Revenue Service issued Announcement 2021-7 clarifying that the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) on or after January 1, 2020 (e.g., facial masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes) for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of coronavirus are eligible to be paid or reimbursed under a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HFSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), or Health Savings Account (HSA).
Retail merchants and their Point of Sale (POS) systems may take a few weeks to update their product databases to reflect these changes. Until these POS systems are updated, the BASIC Card will not automatically recognize these PPE items as eligible expenses when you swipe your card at a retailer. However, BASIC can begin accepting these eligible expenses through any reimbursement request effective immediately.
BASIC can help upgrade your benefits package
We know complex regulations can make benefits administration and compliance difficult for employers. Fortunately, the BASIC Consumer Driven Accounts benefit system lets employers add a number of benefit plans that can all be accessed via one website, one benefits card, and one mobile app, all with BASIC’s proven administration and compliance expertise.
BASIC is always there to answer questions like “Are face masks FSA eligible?” for our clients and broker partners. Request a no-cost proposal today to see how your organization can take its benefits package to the next level!
