Has anyone used a FSA (Flex spending account) to fund surgery in Mexico?

[Kimmes 38]

Just starting to do some research on VSG. I will be self pay and would like to fund part of my surgery with my Flex Spending Account. - THat is where they take money on a pretax basis and withhold it from your pay check to be used to fund medical out of pocket expenses. My account comes with a Visa debit card. Has anyone used their FSA to fund their surgery?

What information did you need to provide? Did you have the surgeons office swipe your FSA card or did you pay at time of surgery and then claim the expense later?

I am leaning twards using Dr Ramos-Kelly and today I had one of his coordinators Sandy, run my card as a "test" with a $10 charge - it went right through. Can it really be that easy? If so I will fund that account to the max after the first of the year and proceed with surgery on Jan 6th or so. I get the sleeve and save on taxes! That would be ideal to me.

Please let me know if anyone here has any experience on this. Any information is greatly appreciated!!!

Kim

[SarahD. 0]

Kim,

The FSA was one of the ways that I was able to get my surgery. I paid the surgeon and then used the balance to pay the hospital. So it was two separate transactions. I wasn't able to fund the whole surgery that way, so I had other funds, however, if I hadn't been able to use my FSA, it would not have worked out for me to have the surgery. And yes it was that easy! Good luck and let us know how it goes! Sarah

[Kimmes 38]

Thanks for the rely Sarah! I did you have your surgery in Mexico? That is what I am most concerned about... I know in the good old USA it should be eligible if the Dr certifies that it is medically necessary (even if insurance does not cover it or approve it). I was more concerned about Mexico. Dr Ramos-Kelly is the surgeon I have chose and he will write me the letter according to Sandy his coordinator. I also need an itemized bill (In US $$$) to substandciate the charge on the FSA Visa card.

I am most likely worried and anxious for nothing... since my test today with the card worked. But I just was looking for someone with experience in Mexico to confirm this for me.....

I am glad the surgery flex account and all was possible for you! How far out from surgery are you?

Thanks for listening - er um reading..

Kim

Kim,

The FSA was one of the ways that I was able to get my surgery. I paid the surgeon and then used the balance to pay the hospital. So it was two separate transactions. I wasn't able to fund the whole surgery that way, so I had other funds, however, if I hadn't been able to use my FSA, it would not have worked out for me to have the surgery. And yes it was that easy! Good luck and let us know how it goes! Sarah

[M2G 1,836]

I would call your FSA provider. Most FSA have a very explicit list of things that CAN and CANNOT be purchased with your account. And since this is a lot of money you are talking about, you need to make sure that there won't be a problem down the road. FSA accounts are reported to the IRS, hence you needing an itemized bill to substantiate your claim. IF they deem that an expense was outside of the allowable limits, you may be asked to refund that money.

I wouldn't trust that your test of $10 going through the credit machine in Mexico means that you can charge the max. for your surgery, because they can always come back and say NO, that claim isn't allowable.

When you call your FSA provider, write down the person's name (first and last) and have them look at your specific coverage. Ask for any implied coverage in WRITING!!! Do not trust that the provider (the place in Mexico) will know the limitations of YOUR plan.

That being said, I hope that you CAN use your FSA, because that is the whole idea of an FSA is to pay for items NOT covered under your medical plan. I hope it works out for you.

[Kimmes 38]

Thanks for the information. THe billing for my surgery I found out actually goes through a billing service in the good ole USA. I did call the FSA administer today to discuss (got name and number etc). They said it would not be a problem, weight loss surgery is covered as long as I have letter of medical neccessity and itemized bill to back up the charge.

They did indicate that my "$10 Test" was from a valid medical provider here in the USA and as long as I had the funds in the account I could use the card for up to my account limit ( which will be $5000 come Jan 1st). Keep your fingers crossed for me. I will bring all the correct phone numbers and information with me when I fly there for surgery so if there is any problems I can contact them directly. FUnny the person I talked to at the FSA administrator had been rejected for Bariatric surgery and used their FSA to help self pay a year ago.

[Kimmes 38]

Thanks for the information. THe billing for my surgery I found out actually goes through a billing service in the good ole USA. I did call the FSA administer today to discuss (got name and number etc). They said it would not be a problem, weight loss surgery is covered as long as I have letter of medical neccessity and itemized bill to back up the charge.

They did indicate that my "$10 Test" was from a valid medical provider here in the USA and as long as I had the funds in the account I could use the card for up to my account limit ( which will be $5000 come Jan 1st). Keep your fingers crossed for me. I will bring all the correct phone numbers and information with me when I fly there for surgery so if there is any problems I can contact them directly. FUnny the person I talked to at the FSA administrator had been rejected for Bariatric surgery and used their FSA to help self pay a year ago.

[M2G 1,836]

Thanks for the information. THe billing for my surgery I found out actually goes through a billing service in the good ole USA. I did call the FSA administer today to discuss (got name and number etc). They said it would not be a problem, weight loss surgery is covered as long as I have letter of medical neccessity and itemized bill to back up the charge.

They did indicate that my "$10 Test" was from a valid medical provider here in the USA and as long as I had the funds in the account I could use the card for up to my account limit ( which will be $5000 come Jan 1st). Keep your fingers crossed for me. I will bring all the correct phone numbers and information with me when I fly there for surgery so if there is any problems I can contact them directly. FUnny the person I talked to at the FSA administrator had been rejected for Bariatric surgery and used their FSA to help self pay a year ago.

That is GREAT news! I would ask if they could send you something in writing. Just something saying bariatric surgery is allowable under your plan. Fingers definitely crossed for you!

One time we had an unusual FSA that allowed actual purchases to be made up until March 15, of the following calendar year (I think this was in 2008 and so our specific plan allowed for us to use that money through March 15, 2009). When I found it I printed out the information, and then later when I wanted to confirm that it was true, I could not find that information ANYWHERE. I called to ask if they could find it and they couldn't find it either, but assured me that it was true. I kept that printout just in case they ever came back to me with a problem.

[Kimmes 38]

My plan has that exact same run out on it. Have until March 15th to use 2010 dollars and services can be in 2011 and still use 2010 $$.

I work in health insurance -I sell large group medical plans - but rarely work on FSA issues, so this has been a humbling experience for me to have the shoe on the other foot. I am going to keep positive and have a back up plan just in case!

[n2dvn 0]

Did it work out where you could use the FSA for your surgery in MX?