Spending Accounts

Health Spending Account (HSA)

If you have an HSA, your employer will allocate credits (dollars) into your account, which you can use to pay for eligible health-related expenses that aren’t fully covered under your ASEBP benefits or provincial health care insurance plan. Your HSA also provides you with a tax advantage by using tax-free dollars to pay for eligible expenses.

Eligible Expenses

Generally speaking, if a medical expense is eligible for reimbursement through your benefit plan with ASEBP, then it’s eligible for your HSA. Most medical expenses that qualify for an HSA fall under this category. Note that you must exhaust all of your provincial health care insurance and other benefit plan coverage options before your expense is eligible for reimbursement under your HSA.

While ASEBP is not in a position to confirm the exact expenses allowable under the Income Tax Act of Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) does provide a list of eligible medical expenses based on their interpretation of the Act on their website. Note that the Income Tax Act of Canada also determines the criteria for eligible dependants for HSA expenses, and the CRA includes a definition on their website. For questions about what’s covered under your HSA or dependant eligibility, please contact the CRA. 

For information about submitting an HSA expense, see Submitting a Claim. For a full description of required receipt information, see Receipt Requirements.

Wellness Spending Account (WSA)

If you have a WSA, your employer will allocate credits (dollars) into your account, which you can use to pay for eligible wellness-related expenses. Note that unlike your HSA, your reimbursed WSA expenses are taxable.

Receipts may be required for WSA claims. Note: order confirmation or summary statements are not proof of payment and will not be accepted in place of a receipt. For a full description of required receipt information, see Receipt Requirements.

Eligible Expenses

Depending on which WSA plan you have, eligible expenses for WSA include the following categories: 

Family Care (WSA 1 & 2)

This category assists you with expenses for your dependants. Types of eligible expenses include:

• Adoption fees, seminars, and courses
• Childcare fees for services provided by someone other than a direct family member, such as:
  • Day home and daycare
  • Nannies
  • Day camps
  • Preschool fees
  • Private school fees
  • After-school care programs
• Home and eldercare, and medical and/or non-medical expenses related to the care of a dependant, child, spouse or parent, such as: 
  • Non-medical products
  • Homecare assistance
  • Transportation fees (e.g., transit or school bus pass)
  • Caregiver course/resources
  • Cleaning services
  • Respite/holiday and/or weekend care
  • Retirement homes
  • Day programs

Health-Related Technology (WSA 2 Only)

This category covers items that either measure your fitness activity or are primarily focused on fitness or health. Types of covered expenses include:

• Smartwatches (e.g. Fitbit, Apple Watch, etc.)
• Fitness and health-related apps
• Activity trackers
• Headphones (e.g., AirPods, Earbuds, etc.)
• Smartphones
• Heart rate monitor
• Portable music players (e.g. iPod, MP3 players, etc.)

Health Support, Fitness and Sports Activities and Equipment (WSA 1 & 2)

This category covers expenses that support the overall well-being and physical and mental health of you and your family. Types of covered expenses include:

• Fitness centre/facility membership fees
• Instructed classes at a fitness center/facility (e.g. aerobics classes, yoga, Tai Chi, etc.), drop-in fees or passes
• Sports league/facility fees/community league memberships
• Certified instruction for a physical activity in excess of facility fees (e.g. a personal trainer, Canskate Program, etc.)
• Home exercise fitness equipment, can be new or used (e.g. treadmills, stationary bikes, weights, etc.)
• Wellness-related programs and weight management programs (e.g., a nutrition or meal plan purchase, membership fees, etc.) and smoking cessation programs (e.g. fees for seminars, support programs, etc.)
• Over-the-counter remedies with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) printed on the label (e.g. pain relievers, cold medication, etc.)
• Vitamins and supplements (e.g. vitamin D, ginkgo biloba, etc.)
• Alternative healing therapies not covered by your group benefits or HSA (e.g. cyrocuffs, diabetic socks, stress management programs, hydrotherapy, etc.)
• Sports equipment required for a physical activity (e.g. kayaks, skis, helmets, hockey equipment, athletic footwear and apparel, etc.)
• Hobby equipment and classes (e.g., sewing machines, painting classes, etc.)
• Personal Protective Equipment (inclusions are gloves, masks (any type), face guards/shields, facility fees associated with COVID health protocols, which may include expenses for supplied masks and additional sterilization or sanitation measures)

Professional Development (WSA 1 Only)

This category is intended to financially assist you in pursuing professional development through continuing education. This category can also be used to reimburse you for your eligible dependant’s expenses. Types of expenses covered include:

• Courses, seminars, conferences, or classes provided by an accredited educational institution and related to professional development, offered both in-person and online
• Books or texts required for a course, seminar, conference or class
• Professional journals and subscriptions directly related to the enhancement of skills, job competencies, etc.
• Professional fees, licensing, or registrations and/or voluntary association fees related to your career 
• Course travel

Technology (WSA 1 Only)

This category covers technology expenses. Types of covered expenses include:

• Computer related software and hardware (e.g., Adobe, MS Office, anti-virus software, etc.)
• Computers and accessories (e.g., monitors, speakers, printers, etc.)
• Internet services
• Computer setup fees, maintenance, and repairs
• Smartwatches (e.g. Fitbit, Apple Watch, etc.)
• Tablets and accessories (e.g., iPads)
• Smartphones
• e-readers (e.g., Kobo, Kindle, etc.)

Transportation (WSA 1 Only)

This category is intended to cover expenses associated with commuting to work. Types of covered expenses include:

• Transit passes
• Parking fees