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Possible or Not? Using an HSA on a Bicycle.

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Possible or Not? Using an HSA on a Bicycle.

Old 04-03-14 | 07:48 AM
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Possible or Not? Using an HSA on a Bicycle.

Is it possible to buy a bicycling using your Health Savings Account? And claim it for health use? I understand you can buy anything with you HSA but if the IRS were to do an audit you get fined heavily. But say you could get a doctor to sign off on some medical condition and then would it be possible to buy a bike without any repercussions?

Thanks, Steven
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Old 04-03-14 | 08:31 AM
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Talk to your Dr. and see what he says.
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Old 04-03-14 | 08:47 AM
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In a quick search, I found this: https://www.usu.edu/hr/files/uploads/...alexpenses.pdf

Based on my uninformed interpretation, I would say, probably not.

I think it is interesting that special equipment to allow hearing impaired people to effectively watch tv is allowable, but things like swimming pools, health club memberships, weight loss programs, and stop smoking programs are not...
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Old 04-03-14 | 09:23 AM
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I found more literature as well, but nothing spacific. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
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Old 04-03-14 | 11:03 AM
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No you cannot do that. I administer those plans. however if you have enough previous medical, dental, or vision expenses to cover the cost then you can withdrawal the funds and use them for the bike. But the expenses had to be incurred after the original effective date of the HSA.
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Old 04-03-14 | 11:10 AM
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Originally Posted by sapeacock
I found more literature as well, but nothing spacific. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf
There is specific wording in that link you just have to know how to read tax publications.

What are Medical Expenses?

Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or 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 primary 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.
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Old 04-03-14 | 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by sapeacock
Is it possible to buy a bicycling using your Health Savings Account? And claim it for health use? I understand you can buy anything with you HSA but if the IRS were to do an audit you get fined heavily. But say you could get a doctor to sign off on some medical condition and then would it be possible to buy a bike without any repercussions?

Thanks, Steven
A bicycle is not a known piece of "durable medical equipment". A such it doesn't qualify as a medical expense.
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Old 04-03-14 | 01:11 PM
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This question is along the same lines as the guy who wanted to claim his recumbent trike was a "mobility device" just like an Amigo or a wheelchair, and be allowed into grocery stores, dept stores, theaters, etc. (In addition to having his health insurance pay for it.)

They're both the same, right?

or ???
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Old 04-03-14 | 04:25 PM
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It's like apples and oranges . . . both are fruit, right?
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Old 04-05-14 | 05:35 AM
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Originally Posted by bbarnett51
No you cannot do that. I administer those plans. however if you have enough previous medical, dental, or vision expenses to cover the cost then you can withdrawal the funds and use them for the bike. But the expenses had to be incurred after the original effective date of the HSA.
Administrator: how about those who "game the system"?? Durable Medical Equipment?
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