Laboratory Fees: FSA Eligibility

Laboratory Fees: eligible with a Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
Laboratory fees are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Laboratory fees are not eligible with a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA), or a limited care flexible spending account (LCFSA).

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What are laboratory fees?

Laboratory fees are expenses associated with laboratory test work for medical procedures and diagnostics. laboratory fees for dental, vision, and preventive care are eligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare account. Laboratory fees for other types of medical care are not eligible.

Laboratory fees usually cover preventive care such as screenings and tests for suspected diseases or medical conditions that are likely for a given demographic, based on age, gender, risk factors, etc. Examples of preventive care for which a laboratory fee might be charged include diabetes screening, hepatitis B screening, cervical dysplasia screening, lead screening, vision screening, breast cancer mammography screenings, human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA testing, and more. Many of these tests would only be considered preventive if the patient is considered at risk for developing one of these medical conditions based on their age, gender, lifestyle or other risk factors. Otherwise these tests might be considered diagnostic, in which case they would not be considered eligible for reimbursement under the classification of being a laboratory fee (Department of Health and Human Services).

Medical doctors will order the laboratory tests that incur laboratory fees. If a laboratory fee is part of the expense, it's because a test requires the use of laboratory technicians and equipment. Most tests to screen for medical conditions require the support of a medical testing laboratory. The most common type of medical appointments that entail laboratory fees include dermatology appointments, gynecology appointments, oncology appointments, neurology appointments, and prenatal appointments.

Because laboratory fees are part of visiting a medical doctor and receiving health care in a hospital or clinic, they do not require a prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) in order to be considered eligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare account.