Can I use my Health FSA to pay for a Doula??

sbost0118

Doula's are super expensive for my budget.  They cost $500-$800 in my area.  Does anyone know if I can use the funds from my Health Flexible Spending Account to pay for it? 

I'd really like to have one available for the labor if I can find a way to swing it.

Thanks in advance!

Sara1373

I don't believe so, but I would call your FSA company and ask, they will be able to tell you about your specific plan's benefits. Good luck!

sbost0118

Sara1373:

I don't believe so, but I would call your FSA company and ask, they will be able to tell you about your specific plan's benefits. Good luck!

Shouldn't it follow some sort of Federal tax guideline, not the individual company's policy?

elizxu

On ours, we are able to pay for the Doula, Birth Classes, Breast Pump or any medical supplies needed for labor & delivery (such as a birth ball). So check with the FSA.

BabyMama2012

Do all ins companies have Health FSA ? I have FL Health Care. Maybe I should just call and ask. I never thought of this.

Abby7

I had assumed it wouldn't...if it does I'll be annoyed that I didn't set aside more money.

LillyGrrl

Take a look at IRS Publication 502.  That should give you a run-down of things that would be included.  Please be aware the list is not exhaustive so it may include more than what is there.

I would say in order for the Doula to be covered they would have to be a licensed medical professional, I do not think being in DONA counts towards that (i.e. the person would also have to be either a nurse or mw in addition to being a doula). Or you can get your physician to detail the medical treatment you will be receiving from the doula and submit that statement along with the expense/claim form.

 

Sara1373

My experience has been there are some guidelines that they must follow, but anything additional is at the discretion of the individual provider, so each plan may have its own intricacies.

birdie9927

Seems like people have mixed results on this as it is a bit of a gray area in the tax code. I've read on other boards of people having success by classifying it under the non-medical portion of "nursing services" but they often have to submit it multiple times to get it through. Depending on the company who handles your FSA, they may reimburse, they may not.

cedenton

I hope you don't mind me contributing from the 1st tri board.  You should be able to go to your FSA website and look it up pretty easily.  I have WageWorks and it says you can use the $ for a doula with a letter.  Now, I don't know what that letter has to entail, but at least there's a possibility.

Mrs.MauiBride24

Mine specifically is listed under FSA ineligible health expenses. 

You could look into hiring a doula in training.  That would be less expensive. 

periwinkleblue

cedenton:

I hope you don't mind me contributing from the 1st tri board.  You should be able to go to your FSA website and look it up pretty easily.  I have WageWorks and it says you can use the $ for a doula with a letter.  Now, I don't know what that letter has to entail, but at least there's a possibility.

I also have wageworks and there's a letter in the website that needs to be signed by the doctor to confirm that it's a medical necessity.  I haven't talked to my doctor yet to see what she thinks.

hey_little_bird

LillyGrrl:

Take a look at IRS Publication 502.  That should give you a run-down of things that would be included.  Please be aware the list is not exhaustive so it may include more than what is there.

I would say in order for the Doula to be covered they would have to be a licensed medical professional, I do not think being in DONA counts towards that (i.e. the person would also have to be either a nurse or mw in addition to being a doula). Or you can get your physician to detail the medical treatment you will be receiving from the doula and submit that statement along with the expense/claim form.

 

 

i used to work for an FSA administrator, and this sounds accurate.
(though i can't say in the 4 years i worked there i ever even heard the word "doula")

also, as someone else mentioned:
yes FSAs are governed by IRS rules so there is not a lot of difference between plans based on the employer/administrator.
that being said, call your Flex Plan Administrator and ask. (do not call your HR, they probably have no idea)