An HSA or FSA is a great way to save money on necessary medical expenses. Now that you’re pregnant, you may be searching for an HSA FSA eligible childbirth class that you can submit for reimbursement, without paying cash out-of-pocket. Let’s discuss the basics of HSA/FSA reimbursement and how you use it to save on your prenatal education.
And we’ll also introduce you to the KOPA® PREPARED Essentials online childbirth course, which is HSA FSA eligible and therefore the cost is 100% reimbursable!
WHAT IS AN HSA OR FSA?
A health savings account (HSA) and a flexible spending account (FSA) are special accounts that allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses. The HSA or FSA is typically a benefit offered by employees, although you may have opened an HSA on you’re own if you’re self-employed. These accounts do not take the place of insurance, but are often used in conjunction with your insurance as a way to pay for co-pays, prescriptions, and other eligible expenses. The tax benefits of an HSA or FSA are helpful, especially during pregnancy and birth when medical expenses are high.
How do you know if you have an HSA or FSA?
You’ll want to check with your company’s HR department to see if an HSA or FSA is included in your benefits package. During your enrollment period, you’ll determine how much money is allocated into your account. Your company will provide you with a debit card that you can use to draw from the account to pay for eligible expenses.
Use it or lose it.
The money you set aside in an HSA can roll over from year to year. However, an FSA is a “use it or lose it,” where you forfeit any money in your account at the end of the year if you don’t spend it.
CAN YOU PAY FOR A CHILDBIRTH CLASS WITH YOUR FSA OR HSA?
What is or is not an eligible expense depends on the specific administrator of your plan. However, childbirth classes are almost always considered an eligible expense and can be expensed for the full price of the course. With that said, there are usually some stipulations on childbirth classes, including:
- Expenses for birthing classes, Lamaze classes, or other methods of instruction will qualify to the extent that the instruction relates to birth
- Topics such as labor, delivery procedures, and breathing techniques are covered
- Child rearing topics such as newborn care, breastfeeding, and parenting are often not eligible
- Expenses specifically for mom’s coach or significant other do not qualify
Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)
Many FSH/HSA administrators require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your doctor. This is a basic letter describing your medical condition (aka. pregnancy), why you need the class, and how the instruction will meet your educational needs. Check with your FSA/HSA administrator and pass the info along to your midwife or doctor.
Itemized Receipt
An itemized receipt is a receipt that includes specific information required by your HSA/FSA administrator, and you should call them to verify what information they need. This may include line items such as:
- Name and address of provider (childbirth educator)
- Name of patient
- Service provided
- Date of service
- Tax ID #
- National Provider ID #
If you pay for your childbirth class directly with your HSA/FSA card, you still need to request the itemized receipt and save it in case you’re asked to submit it at a later time. If you pay with a personal credit card or cash and plan to submit the expense for reimbursement, an itemized receipt is required to submit along with the LMN to your HSA/FSA administrator. The itemized receipt will be given to you by the childbirth class instructor.
KOPA BIRTH® – AN HSA FSA ELIGIBLE CHILDBIRTH CLASS!
So, now that you know all about childbirth classes and HSA or FSA accounts, you’re likely eager to find an HSA FSA eligible childbirth class. Allow me to introduce you to the KOPA® PREPARED Essentials Online Childbirth Course!
The KOPA® PREPARED Essentials Course was created by a Registered Nurse and Lamaze certified educator. It provides all the information you and your birth partner need to approach natural childbirth with confidence.
This comprehensive course is ideal for 1st-time parents, as well as more experienced parents who are attempt a natural birth for the first time. The curriculum covers coping techniques, positions of comfort for labor, hospital interventions, and much more.
The course includes over 12 hours of video-based instruction. Some subjects the Essentials course covers include:
- The benefits of relaxation in labor
- Guided imagery
- The birth process
- Lamaze-style breathing techniques
- Pushing positions & techniques
- Natural hospital birth footage
- Labor positions & sensory techniques
- Medications, cesareans, and labor inductions
- Benefits and risks of common hospital labor interventions
- Birth plans
- Mock labor experience
How do I buy the KOPA® PREPARED online childbirth course with my FSA or HSA?
On a daily basis, couples purchase the KOPA® PREPARED Essentials course for through their HSA/FSA account. The process is simple.
- Call your HSA/FSA plan administrator to verify your benefits and any information they require. This may include obtaining a Letter of Medical Necessity, although it is typically not necessary to receive the LMN before you start your online course.
- Purchase the course online using your HSA/FSA card. Or, purchase the course online using your personal credit card or PayPal.
- You will receive an itemized receipt via email as soon as the course purchase is complete. Save this receipt for your records.
- Carefully follow the steps for reimbursement as described by your HSA/FSA plan administrator.
Voila! That’s it. You have yourself a 100% reimbursable, HSA FSA eligible childbirth class. And at the same time, you can feel good knowing that you are taking the first step towards a safe, empowering birth experience for you and your baby!
Kopa Birth’s online childbirth classes allow you to prepare for a natural childbirth from the comfort of your own home, 24/7. Enroll today in our free online childbirth class to learn more about preparing for a natural hospital birth.
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