Yes, your HSA/FAS, by law, will cover your oils. However, there are requirements you need to follow.
First, visit your personal HSA/FSA website. Find the forms provided and look for a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN). If you find this form, print a copy. If they do not offer a copy, simply create your own. I have attached a generic form below.
Some HSA/FSA’s will spell out for you in the “common eligible expenses” section, or something similar to that, which alternative medicine is covered. It will often say under eligibility, “dual purpose”. This means you must fill out a LOMN. If your HSA/FSA states you must refer to Publication 502 or section 213(d), then you’re also covered and you must make your own LOMN.
A LOMN form must be signed by “A” doctor. It does not say your primary care or even your medical doctor. It must be signed by, simply, a doctor. If your medical doctor is not open to using essential oils for treatment of any kind, then ask your chiropractor, or even your dentist.
The only thing clear is vitamins are NOT covered. HOWEVER, say you have fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis (something along those lines) and your doctor has nothing left to give you for relief and you have discovered doTERRA’s Life Long Vitality supplements are the only things that help you, THEN, with your doctors signature, you will be covered as long as the medical reason is stated on the LOMN.
The details…
Per page 2 of IRS Publication 502, medical expenses are defined as, “Medical expenses are the cost of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the cost of treatments affecting any part of function of the body. These expenses include payments for legal medical services rendered by physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical practitioners. They include the costs of equipment, supplies and diagnostic devices needed for these purposes. Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. They do not include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation.”
This definitions is very vague. Notice here who is considered legal renderers of medical services. This covers a pretty broad rand of care providers. Let’s get more specific in section 213 (d) of the IRS Tax Code Publication 502 which states:
Definitions- for the purpose of this section
-
(1) The term “medical care” means amounts paid–
- (A) for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affection any structure of function of the body
Many HSA/FSA’s will break it down like this- Medical FSA and HSA Expense Eligibility List (IRS Code Section 213 (d) Eligible Expenses):
The following is a summary of common expenses claimed against Medical Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Due to the frequent updates to the regulations governing FSAs and HSAs, this list does not guarantee reimbursement but instead is to be used as a guide for the submission of claims.
A definition of eligibility is as follows:
Yes: The expense is eligible for reimbursement.
Dual-Purpose: The expense can be used for both medical and general health, convenience, and/or cosmetic purposes. As such, a completed Medical Necessity Form or a signed physicians note must be on file for the expense to be considered eligible.
Potentially: The expense can be considered eligible, provided certain conditions or criteria (as specified in the Comments and Special Rules section) are satisfied. Depending on the nature of the expenses, a completed Medical Necessity Form or signed physician’s not may need to be on file.
No: The expense is not eligible for reimbursement, even with a physician’s note or Medical Necessity Form
Expense(s) Eligible? Comments and Special Rules
Alternative healers, dietary substitutes, and drugs and medicines
- Dual-purpose Non-traditional healing treatments provided by professionals may qualify if provided to treat a specific medical condition. The treatments must be legal, and the expenses will not qualify if the remedy is a food or substitute for food that the person would normally consume in order to meet nutritional requirements.
Some providers will not mention an option for alternative medicine. Don’t worry. This is common but it is not an obstacle. It comes down to filling out the LOMN.
Click here to download copy of the LOMN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wMVS2EqIIZ2EqI8INjEqTBnun23ZdibLoD6bLZSmack/edit