Overview
CRA guidelines say that expenses that are purely cosmetic in nature, even if they’re meant to improve appearance, confidence or overall well-being, are not considered eligible for reimbursement.
The details
The why of it all
HSAs are designed to reimburse health and dental expenses. While cosmetic procedures are often performed by Authorized Medical Practitioners, that doesn’t make them automatically eligible.
Because the CRA’s default position is that purely cosmetic expenses are not eligible, the reason for the treatment matters.
If the procedure or service is for medical or reconstructive purposes, it may be eligible, even if the end result is also cosmetic. However, if the primary purpose is cosmetic, the expense won’t be eligible.
Some examples of purely cosmetic treatments
Some common examples of cosmetic expenses include:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers
- Cosmetic botox
- Skin treatments like facials
When might a cosmetic expense be eligible
If an expense is for medical or reconstructive purposes, it may be eligible.
This can include treatment related to:
- A congenital abnormality
- An injury resulting from an accident or trauma
- A disfiguring disease
- Expenses related to gender reassignment
Anything else?
If you’re submitting an expense that might be cosmetic, we’ll need supporting documentation that says otherwise. That means a note, treatment plan or other documentation from an eligible provider showing the medical reason for the treatment.
Still unsure? Reach out to our team before incurring the expense and we’ll be happy to let you know if it could be considered eligible, and the type of supporting documentation required.