Close
Solutions
Resources

“HSAs are a great way to learn benefits and a great way to approach companies to develop confidence. They’re low cost, simple administratively, and you can learn them quickly.”

Read Case Study
Pricing
Careers
Search Site
Research

Who Decides What is Eligible Under an HSA?

We are often asked why we have to adhere so closely to the list of eligible items, and why we are unable to stray from it. A common misconception is that we at myHSA decide what is eligible on an...

myHSA
Updated on:

We are often asked why we have to adhere so closely to the list of eligible items, and why we are unable to stray from it. A common misconception is that we at myHSA decide what is eligible on an employees Health Spending Account, but that's not the case!

We do have adjudicators that assess the claims, but they must adhere to guidelines. In Canada, the ultimate arbiter of HSA eligibility is the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). In this article, I'll delve into the role of the CRA in deciding what expenses are eligible under an HSA.

When it comes to Health Spending Accounts, the CRA plays a pivotal role in determining which medical expenses are considered eligible for reimbursement. They decide what is eligible because a Health Spending Account is non-taxable, and therefore, they require some level of medical necessity to be present for the items. This means that for an expense to be eligible, it must be incurred primarily for the prevention or treatment of a medical condition. The CRA considers whether the product or service is essential for maintaining or improving an individual's health.

For this reason, our adjudicators uphold the rules and cannot deviate from them to make exceptions on the HSA, as much as we sometimes want to. You are always welcome to reach out to us and gain an understanding of what the criteria is, and in some cases the claim can be supplemented to get it to the point of eligibility. If you are curious about what is eligible, you can check your List of Covered Items on the dashboard of your account!

Questions? Reach out to support@getmyhsa.com , we are happy to help!

Danielle Constantine CX Manager myHSA

No items found.
Blog Highlights

Other Insights

Expert insights on flexible benefits, employee retention, and CRA-compliant plans in Canada.

Research

myHSA opens up Dialogue for small groups

myHSA's new partnership with Dialogue brings virtual healthcare to small groups through the advisor channel — a model that's strategically aligned and mutually beneficial.

Steve McEwan
Updated on:
Insights

What can you claim with a Health Spending Account?

Eligible HSA expenses are defined by the CRA and include a wide range of health, dental, and vision items — here's a plain-language breakdown of what's covered.

myHSA
Updated on:
Insights

The Advantages of myFlexplan

myFlexplan combines the tax benefits of an HSA with the flexibility of a WSA, giving employees the power to choose benefits that fit their personal needs.

myHSA
Updated on:
Insights

Using Health Spending Accounts for Specialized Education

HSAs can help cover the costs of specialized schooling, tutoring, and education for employees or dependents who are disabled or differently-abled.

myHSA
Updated on:
Insights

5 Reasons Why Your Business Should Offer a WSA

Wellness Spending Accounts (WSAs), sometimes called Lifestyle Spending Accounts, Personal Spending Accounts, and countless others, are a top employee attraction and retention tool for businesses of...

myHSA
Updated on:
Insights

5 Ways a WSA Can Help With DEI Initiatives

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are more important than ever for businesses of all sizes. A Wellness Spending Account (WSA) is one of the best ways to contribute to DEI...

myHSA
Updated on: