Can I use money in my HSA to pay for an immigration medical exam performed by a civil surgeon? Thanks

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 3, 2019
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BillM223

Level 15

As I understand it, "A Civil surgeon is a doctor, selected by the USCIS to conduct medical examinations of aliens in the United States who are applying for adjustment of status to permanent residence, or who are required by the USCIS to have a medical examination."

You may use your HSA for "Qualified medical expenses are those expenses that generally would qualify for the medical and dental expenses deduction. These are explained in Pub. 502, Medical and Dental Expenses. " - IRS Publication 969

The IRS says about qualified medical expenses: "Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. They don't include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation." IRS Publication 502.

Since the civil surgeon is, in fact, a doctor, and since the exam appears to be to prevent a "physical or mental defect or illness", the expense would seem to be a qualified medical expense for an HSA distribution.

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