Can You Use HSA for Expenses Incurred Prior Year?

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), you may wonder if you can use it for expenses incurred in a prior year. The short answer is yes, but it comes with some conditions and considerations.

Usually, an HSA allows you to use funds for eligible medical expenses that are incurred after you open the account. However, there are a few ways you can use your HSA for expenses from a prior year:

• If you incurred the medical expense in the same tax year that you established your HSA, you can use the funds from your HSA to cover that expense.
• If the medical expense occurred before you opened the HSA, you cannot use your HSA to reimburse that expense.
• If you paid for a qualified medical expense out of pocket in a prior year and have the receipt, you can reimburse yourself with HSA funds in a future year.
• It's essential to keep accurate records and receipts for all medical expenses that you plan to pay for or reimburse from your HSA.

Remember that HSA funds don't expire, so you can carry over the balance from year to year. This flexibility allows you to use your HSA to cover past, present, and future medical expenses.

Yes, you can use your HSA for medical expenses incurred in a prior year, but make sure you understand the rules to maximize your benefits.