One of the most common questions we hear from prospective patients is about payment. The good news: acupuncture became a qualified medical expense for HSA and FSA accounts in 2020, and Dr. Kaur's clinic accepts both.
Here's what you need to know.
The 2020 CARES Act change
Before 2020, HSA and FSA funds could only be used for treatments explicitly defined as medical care under the IRS code. Acupuncture was in a gray area — sometimes covered, sometimes not, depending on the plan.
The CARES Act, signed in March 2020, expanded the definition of qualified medical expenses to explicitly include menstrual care products and over-the-counter medications — and in a separate IRS guidance update, acupuncture was confirmed as a qualified expense when rendered by a licensed practitioner for a medical condition.
How to use your HSA or FSA at our clinic
Using your HSA or FSA at Dr. Kaur's Acupuncture is straightforward:
- 1Pay with your HSA or FSA card — most major HSA/FSA debit cards work at our clinic the same as any other payment card
- 2Keep your receipt — we provide itemized receipts for all treatments
- 3Keep a Letter of Medical Necessity if needed — some plans require this for alternative therapies; Dr. Kaur can provide one on request
- 4Check your specific plan — while acupuncture is broadly eligible, specific plan rules vary; we recommend verifying with your plan administrator
What about insurance?
Dr. Kaur's clinic accepts HSA and FSA for all services. We are also an out-of-network provider for many insurance plans, which means you may be able to submit claims for partial reimbursement depending on your out-of-network benefits. We provide superbills (detailed receipts) on request for insurance submission.
The VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) covers acupuncture for eligible veterans — please contact us to discuss your specific situation.
How much can you save?
HSA and FSA funds are pre-tax, which means you're effectively paying for acupuncture with dollars that were never taxed. Depending on your tax bracket, this represents a 22–37% discount compared to paying out of pocket.
For a full course of acupuncture treatment (typically 8–12 sessions), that savings can be meaningful.
Questions about payment?
Call our office at (240) 639-2204 or reach out via the contact page — we're happy to help you understand your options before booking.