HSA distributions for Spouse, mid year marriage and only I have HSA account.

[adam4ag]

I have HSA account since January 2018 (For year 2018 contributions only, no prior year contributions), I got married recently in July. MY spouse and I have different medical plans, my spouse does not have an HSA account(We are not planning on changing the medical plans). My question is Can I claim bills for my spouse from my HSA account for the services taken from January 2018 until marriage ? Or is it only applicable for services after marriage? We will file taxes jointly. Thank you

[dmertz]

Distributions from your HSA can only be used to cover medical expenses of your spouse if the medical expenses are incurred while you are married.  Medical expenses incurred by your (now) spouse before you got married are not qualified medical expenses and cannot be paid from your HSA.

[jenna-s-crane]

Even if the medical expenses are only days before the legal wedding date?

[dmertz]

Expenses incurred before marriage are not expenses incurred by a spouse.

[jenna-s-crane]

What if it can be billed in separate payments which straddle the wedding date and is for a service that will extend beyond the wedding day? (For example: Orthodontia)

[dmertz]

Given that something like orthodontia involves ongoing treatment, I suppose that one could make the argument that some portion of the medical expense would have been incurred after the beginning of the process, but it's hard to say how much if the work was being done at a flat rate.