Has anyone used their FSA/HSA visa debit card to pay at surgeon’s office?

[Puffy-no-more 141]

Hey so I’m wondering if my card will work at my doctor’s office when I go in for my pre-op. My out of pocket costs have to be paid at that time and I’m a little nervous about this card not working. I’ve verified the balance on it and that this is something that would be covered but I’ve sent a message twice to my surgeon’s office and haven’t received a reply.

[froufrou 678]

Yes it absolutely should. I use mine all the time for doctors and pharmacies.

[KarenLR75 515]

I used my FSA (flex spending account) card to pay the hospital and the doctor for my portion. It's a legit expense.

[Puffy-no-more 141]

7 minutes ago, froufrou said:

Yes it absolutely should. I use mine all the time for doctors and pharmacies.

3 minutes ago, KarenLR75 said:

I used my FSA (flex spending account) card to pay the hospital and the doctor for my portion. It's a legit expense.

Ok thank y’all. I’ve never had one and want to make sure I have my money stuff together so my surgery doesn’t get cancelled. So I can just use it like a regular debit card, right?

[KarenLR75 515]

Yep, they should be able to process that payment like lightning. Just like regular debit. Only thing I've encountered is occasionally having the company that is the 'owner' of my flex card, they must get audited like crazy because like twice a year despite the charge being OBVIOUSLY from a doctor like 'cardiologist', they will send me a letter, I simply grab a copy of my EOB for whatever 'charge' they are asking about and send it to them.

Ironically they did not audit my large hospital/surgery charge...lol...the audited a $100 or less visit to my cardiologist..lol..I'm beginning to think it is some sort of random audit. Again, I have NEVER had any issue even when the card issuer has sent me a request for information on having my 'charges' denied because I stick to known medical costs that qualify for using the FSA card and surgery/hospitals, etc are definitely legit expenses that are covered under FSA (examples of ones that are not - buy sudafed or cough medicine at the drug store...those are NOT 'FSA' eligible but my true prescriptions ARE legitimately covered under FSA).

[catwoman7 11,213]

7 minutes ago, Puffy-no-more said:

Ok thank y’all. I’ve never had one and want to make sure I have my money stuff together so my surgery doesn’t get cancelled. So I can just use it like a regular debit card, right?

yes - just use it like a regular debit card. (and by the way - doctors would never turn it down. They'll get their money either way. If the FSA company deems it an ineligible expense, then they will contact you and have you reimburse them (the FSA company). But the doctor has already been paid. But in this case, it should be a legitimate expense, as others have said.

Edited January 29, 2020 by catwoman7

[KarenLR75 515]

Just to clarify, my experience is with FSA, not sure what the differences are if you have an HSA (health savings account).

[froufrou 678]

I have an HSA and I just use the debit card (for medical expenses only) like I would my own personal debit card. I've never had a problem with it.

Edited January 29, 2020 by froufrou
to clarify

[Uomograsso 364]

I have an HSA Mastercard/debit card and use it at doctor's office to pay all the time. Just paid a bill there this Monday for my 1 week Post-OP checkup.

[Puffy-no-more 141]

Thank you all for your help. I feel a lot better about this. I was just worried it wouldn’t work and then I would have to come up with the money another way and so on. But thank you!