# HSA Proper Use If Medical, But...?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsa-proper-use-if-medical-but/788027>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 3, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsa-proper-use-if-medical-but/788027 "2017-06-03T18:39:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsa-proper-use-if-medical-but/788027/1 "2017-06-03T18:39:34Z")

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Can funds in an HSA account be used for medical expenses with a date of service PRECEDING the HSA start date? My wife claims it doesn’t matter - as long as it is a medical expense. But, I’d like to hear the wisdom of the SD before simply taking her word for it.

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**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsa-proper-use-if-medical-but/788027/2 "2017-06-03T19:57:47Z")

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_Can I use my HSA to pay for medical expenses incurred before I set up my account?  
No. You cannot reimburse qualified medical expenses incurred before your account is established. We recommend you establish your account as soon as possible._

> **[Health Savings Accounts - Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.ilhealthagents.com/faq/hsa/)**
>
> Questions and answers to the most common health savings account questions including hsa eligible expenses

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**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsa-proper-use-if-medical-but/788027/3 "2017-06-03T22:12:49Z")

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Not according to the regulations.  
But in practice, who will be monitoring your specific HSA account out of the millions of people who have them? So in reality, your wife is probably right: it isn’t going to matter.

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hsa-proper-use-if-medical-but/788027/4 "2017-06-03T22:53:11Z")

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> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#):
>
> Not according to the regulations.  
> But in practice, who will be monitoring your specific HSA account out of the millions of people who have them? So in reality, your wife is probably right: it isn’t going to matter.

That’s the thing. First off, technically, you can use it for _anything_, you just have to pay the penalty when you do your taxes. I know people that use it pay rent.

You could, if you wanted, pay the older medical bills, and mention it on your taxes and pay the penalty (10%?) and be done with it.  
You could, instead, pay the old medical bills and on your taxes say that all the distributions were qualified and if you’re ever audited for this year and they catch it, it’s an honest mistake and _then_ you pay the penalty (plus, I assume, another penalty or some interest or something).

IOW, unlike fudging numbers about your income or how much you lost in the stock market, no one knows what you spent your HSA money on unless you get audited.