Is a Detailed Explanation of Benefits Good Enough Info for an HSA?

[middle89]

I have an HSA from several years ago and don't have the receipts to prove that I spent out of pocket for qualified medical expenses (QMEs) in many of those first few years. If I were to go into my insurance provider at the time's portal and download the detailed explanation of benefits (EoB) for every claim I had in each of those years, would that be sufficient info to prove that I spent out of pocket for those expenses and how much?

From what I've heard people do this for FSAs. I have never spent from my HSA and the EoB would include detailed info on what I would owe out of pocket for each claim.

Or is there just no chance for me to be reimbursed out of the HSA for those QMEs for all those years where I don't have receipts?

[LindaS5247]

Yes, a detailed Explanation of Benefits from your insurance provider’s portal are generally sufficient to prove qualified medical expenses for an HSA reimbursement, even if you lack the original receipts, as long as the statements show you were responsible for the payment.

Many people use Explanations of Benefits for both FSAs and HSAs to document expenses, particularly for older claims.

The IRS requires records that show that the distribution was used for qualified medical expenses, not previously reimbursed, and not taken as an itemized deduction. Your Explanation(s) of Benefits from your insurance portal provide this, as they confirm the claim was legitimate and indicate that it was your responsibility. 

Click here for What is a health savings account (HSA)?

Click here for Basics of Health Savings Accounts

Please return to Community if you have any additional information or questions and we would be happy to help.

[middle89]

Ok great, thanks! You mentioned that the IRS also requires records that show that the distribution was not previously reimbursed? Is the EoB enough to prove this as well, or is there anything else typically used to prove this?

[BillM223]

Collect whatever documentation you can find. There are no specific forms to document what you are asking for, so you have to be prepared - if they ever ask - to make a convincing argument that your interpretation of the facts as shown by whatever documentation you have is enough to convince the auditor beyond a "reasonable doubt" as the lawyers say.

What is really important is that you do this now, because it will get more difficult to collect this documentation as time goes on.