A Reimbursement Cheat Sheet

Have an HSA but feel confused by the whole “reimbursement” thing? You’re not alone—but the good news is that it’s easier than it sounds. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand how it works.

Two ways to use your HSA

When you have a qualified medical expense, you can:

Pay directly from your HSA, or
Pay out of pocket and reimburse yourself later

Pro Tip: If you can afford to pay out of pocket now and get reimbursed later, your HSA money stays in the account and keeps growing tax-free—a great long-term strategy.

Option 1: Pay directly from your HSA

It’s quick and simple. Here’s how you can do it:

HSA debit card: Use it like a regular debit card at the doctor, pharmacy, or online.
Online payments: Many HSA providers let you pay bills right through your account portal.
Checks: You can even order HSA checkbooks if you prefer paper payments.

Reminder: Always save your receipts! If the IRS ever asks, you’ll need proof your expenses were qualified. Take advantage of user-friendly tools like our HSA Expense Dashboard™ to keep everything in one place.

Option 2: Reimburse yourself later

Sometimes, it makes more sense to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed later—like if your HSA doesn’t have enough funds or you just want to let it grow. You can reimburse yourself anytime—even months or years later—as long as you make the purchase after you open your HSA.

Here’s how to do it:

ATM withdrawal: Use your HSA card to withdraw cash (just watch for ATM fees).
Online transfer: Move money from your HSA to your checking or savings account.
Write yourself a check: If you have HSA checks, write one and deposit it like usual.

Track everything with the HSA Expense Dashboard™

Whether you pay directly or reimburse yourself later, tracking expenses is key. The HSA Expense Dashboard™ makes it easy to:

Shop: Buy eligible items or services anywhere (HSA Store, doctor visits, dental, vision, prescriptions, health insurance premiums, etc.)

Bonus: Everything at HSA Store is guaranteed eligible, and all your receipts are saved automatically.

Track: Out of funds? Just upload your receipts now and reimburse yourself later.
Save: Keep all your records in one place—helpful for taxes or if you switch jobs or health plans.

Try The HSA Expense Dashboard™

All products at HSA Store are guaranteed HSA eligible, so you never have to second-guess what’s covered. You can pay directly with your HSA card for instant convenience or use your regular credit or debit card and reimburse yourself later—whatever works best for your situation. Shopping at HSA Store is a simple, flexible way to get all your favorite health essentials and make the most of your HSA.

As always, this isn’t legal or tax advice. Talk to a licensed professional to make sure you’re making the right choices for you and your family.

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