Understanding your Health Spending Account (HSA) is essential to make the most out of its benefits, including medical tests, naturopath services, and other eligible expenses. This guide will provide tips and tricks to navigate the reimbursement process effectively.
The Importance of a Doctor's Prescription: If you plan to undergo a medical test at a lab or any healthcare facility outside of a clinic, it's crucial to have a valid prescription or requisition from a qualified doctor. This prescription serves as an official verification to ensure that the cost of the test can be reimbursed.
Examples include blood work or other laboratory-based diagnostic services.
Tests Administered by CRA-Recognized Practitioners: In certain situations, a prescription may not be necessary to claim a test under your HSA. If the test is administered by a recognized practitioner who is CRA-approved, you can skip the prescription requirement. In this case, the service is considered professional and falls within eligible expenses. Diagnostic tests administered directly by naturopaths fall under this category.
Exclusion of Home Testing Kits: Home testing kits, such as genetic testing or elective testing, are generally not considered eligible expenses. However, if a doctor prescribes a home test that requires lab processing, it may qualify under certain plan specifics. You can email support@gemtyhsa.com to seek more information. Always consult your plan's detailed "List of Covered Items" for clarification.
Naturopath Services and Other Exclusions: While visits to CRA-recognized naturopaths and their diagnostic tests are usually covered, products such as vitamins and supplements recommended by naturopaths are not eligible for reimbursement. In cases where ineligible items are part of a claim, an ineligible item buffer (up to 10% of prior eligible reimbursements) might apply to offset costs.