Rx Bed?

I wonder if anyone here has tried or been successful in getting a special bed (Tempurpedic, Sleep Number, etc) prescribed by an MD. I have an unexpectedly large, unspent flex fund amount that I need to use by the end of the year, and I really don't have any need for any other equipment.

Why would you need a script if you can afford to buy one outright? It's your bed, after all. But if it's an insurance matter, I can't imagine a doctor not being helpful about it - it's not as if it's medication with dangerous side effects.

It's a case of money trapped in one of those bizarre use-it-or-lose-it tax-exempt flex plans.

The question is whether a bed prescribed by a physician qualifies for purchase as a health care expense.

jdm2857 wrote:It's a case of money trapped in one of those bizarre use-it-or-lose-it tax-exempt flex plans.

The question is whether a bed prescribed by a physician qualifies for purchase as a health care expense.

Yes jdm. Exactly. Though I sure wouldn't describe the flex fund as bizarre. It's money I designate for medical expenses not covered by insurance (co-pays, etc) that comes out of my paycheck without being taxed. Great benefit! This is the first year I have guessed wrong about what I would need, so have to spend the money put away. Sorry I wasn't clear that my question is whether folks have ever found beds to be qualified for medical reasons.

Sounds like a good time to have your hearing checked:
Undiagnosed hearing loss is quite common; and can make a big difference in quality of life
Exceptional brands of hearing aids are Phonac and Widex;
Beware of Beltone and Miracle Ear--those guys need to be thrown in prison.

chunkyfrog wrote:Sounds like a good time to have your hearing checked:
Undiagnosed hearing loss is quite common; and can make a big difference in quality of life
Exceptional brands of hearing aids are Phonac and Widex;
Beware of Beltone and Miracle Ear--those guys need to be thrown in prison.

Huh?
What did you say??
Hearing problem??
Thanks for the suggestion, chunky, but no problem here.

The bizarre part is the fund itself. Why not just make those expenses deductible and dispense with the need to channel Johnny Carson's Carnac and predict the future? Only Congress.

Where does the "unspent money" go?

PLR66, what happens to the money if it's not spent by the end of the year?

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about Flexible Spending Accounts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexible_spending_account

GumbyCT wrote:Where does the "unspent money" go?

As I understand it, the money goes back to the administrator (my employer?)

My doctor did that for me because of back problems. When it's ordered like that it is a medical tax deduction. I did not try to turn it in on my health insurance but I am sure they would have had to be paid as it was a medical order.

I believe the "unspent" money goes to the government=IRS. You can use it for dental work or prescripyion eye glasses--or even Lasik. There are lots and lots of ways to spend the money in your Flexible Spending account. You can buy First Aid Kits or even some over the counter meds. I would find some way to use it all up rather than let Uncle Sam get your money!! LOL!

If you put enough money away to buy a Tempurpedic bed--that is way too much money---LOL!
Carrie

They claim the bed is good for back problems, I would have a serious talk with dr. Tell them your predicament, a good Dr. would be concerned about your well being. Sleep quality is already in the fore-front, a comfortable bed should qualify. I can see it being a problem for insurance to swallow, but a flex acct. should allow it. If it came down to use it or loose it, one possibility would be to buy a travel machine if needed or buy one and sell it at cpapauction.com. Tums, cough drops, aspirin, alka seltzer plus, dr. scholls, vitamins, supplements, physical exam, first aid supplies, a trip thru the pharmacy? Call the local "food kitchen" for the needy, they always need hygiene supplies. A $2 or $3 hundred dollar hygiene product shopping trip at costco would be a wonderful donation for them. Get a tax deductable receipt and write it off if you can. Do what you can to spend it. Call and ask if it can carry-over a few months, mine can be. Good luck, jlk

While I am not an accountant - the IRS describes what is eligible for flex account spending in http://www.irs.gov/publications/p969/ar ... 1000204081 .

In particular,

"Qualified medical expenses. Qualified medical expenses are those expenses that would generally qualify for the medical and dental expenses deduction. These are explained in Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses. However, even though non-prescription medicines (other than insulin) do not qualify for the medical and dental expenses deduction, they do qualify as expenses for HSA purposes."

Form 502 can be found here ... http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf

In Form 502 it says,

"Personal Use Items
You cannot include in medical expenses the cost of an
item ordinarily used for personal, living, or family purposes
unless it is used primarily to prevent or alleviate a physical
or mental defect or illness. For example, the cost of a
toothbrush and toothpaste is a nondeductible personal
expense.
In order to accommodate an individual with a physical defect,
you may have to purchase an item ordinarily used
as a personal, living, or family item in a special form. You
can include the excess of the cost of the item in a special
form over the cost of the item in normal form as a medical
expense."

Now some accountants have told me that anything prescribed by a Dr. is OK .. and that some people have even deducted the costs of a swimming pool, etc. Frankly, I never believed these accountants and found that the last thing I ever wanted to do was be audited with something like this on my return. So I wouldn't try if it were me.

If you can talk to a CPA and get clarity - that would be nice. But it sounds like trouble to me if you don't. These IRS publications always are really hard to decipher. Good luck.