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February 2015 Moms
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Pay Doula using HSA?

IsabelC687IsabelC687 member
in February 2015 Moms
Hello Ladies!

As my DH and I are preparing for labor we realized that we would like a little bit of extra support as I want to attempt a natural child birth and we've kind of come to the realization that my DH is dreading to see me in pain and not running to fix it with meds.

We are starting to look for a Doula in our area and I was wondering if anyone has attempted or is planning on paying their doula with a Health Savings Account. I've done some google searching and the IRS has conveniently excluded doulas from the list of acceptable uses, as well as the not allowed uses. Some HSA providers put it on their list of acceptable uses as long as it's for birth and not for post-partum use. I plan on speaking with my benefits hotline tomorrow during business hrs, but I was wondering if anyone has attempted it or been successful in case I get a different answer.

Thanks!
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Re: Pay Doula using HSA?

  • Mrs. ZeeMrs. Zee member
    edited December 2014
    I looked into the IRS guidance on this (I can't remember the name of the output for HSA's) and you are right, it is very gray area. We contacted our accountant who I would describe as conservative and he didn't feel using the funds for a doula was an aggressive use of the HSA. Based on this we are planning to use HSA funds for our doula. I hope that helps!! :)

    Eta: we are going to try and have insurance cover the cost of the doula so we will pay for her out of pocket (no HSA funds), then submit for reimbursement after the birth-if insurance denies, then we will reimburse ourselves from the HSA. You can't reimburse the HSA from insurance (from my understanding from our accountant). I should clarify, if we were not going to try and get reimbursed we would pay straight from HSA. Definitely do some research on the insurance providers that have covered doulas in the past and what to do to get them covered-there is a bit of legwork involved. Whew! Sorry for the novel :)
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  • MapleMommaMapleMomma member
    The IRS sets all the rules for HSAs and FSAs. So like pp said, touch base with your tax consultant since its a gray area.
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  • Mrs. ZeeMrs. Zee member
    I should also add that our insurance provider is on the list of providers who have covered doulas in the past which is why we will try for reimbursement-even if it winds up being partial, it is better than nothing!!!
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  • IsabelC687IsabelC687 member
    @Mrs. Zee and @kcrosem thanks for the comments! I hadn't even thought to try and have a Doula covered by insurance. I'll look that up tomorrow. I'm thinking that worse comes to worse, I'll ask my OBGYN to write me a "prescription" for one (for birth anxiety maybe?) so that I'm covered if the IRS were to question our use of a doula with the HSA. I think that should cover me sufficiently.
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  • chicagojackiechicagojackie member
    This
    BFP #1: It's a GIRL! DD born October, 2012
    BFP #2: m/c at 7w, February, 2014
    BFP #3: It's a BOY! Please be our rainbow! Due February, 2015
    *everyone always welcome*
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