What Can You Buy With a Health Spending Account in Canada?

By Frontier Team•February 10, 2026•4 min read

If you have a Health Spending Account through your business, you can use it on way more than you probably think. Most people stick to the basics -- dental cleanings and prescriptions -- but there's a long list of everyday health expenses that qualify. Here's what people actually buy with their HSA in Canada, plus a few surprises you might not expect.

The Most Common Things People Buy

These are the expenses that make up the bulk of HSA claims. If you're wondering where to start, this is it:

  • Dental cleanings, fillings, and X-rays -- Routine dental is the number one HSA expense for most people.
  • Glasses and contact lenses -- New frames, lenses, and contacts are all covered.
  • Prescriptions -- Any medication prescribed by a doctor qualifies.
  • Physiotherapy -- Whether it's for a sports injury or chronic back pain.
  • Massage therapy -- Covered when provided by a registered massage therapist.
  • Mental health and therapy -- Psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors all qualify. This is a big one that more people are using every year.
  • Chiropractor visits -- Adjustments and treatments from a licensed chiropractor.
  • Invisalign and braces -- Orthodontic treatment is fully eligible.
  • Laser eye surgery (LASIK) -- One of the highest-value HSA claims you can make.

Fertility Treatments

This is where an HSA becomes really valuable. Fertility treatments are expensive, and your HSA covers them:

  • IVF (in vitro fertilization)
  • Egg freezing and sperm freezing
  • Storage fees for frozen eggs, sperm, or embryos

These costs can run into thousands of dollars, and paying with pre-tax corporate dollars through your HSA saves you 30-50% compared to paying out of pocket.

Medical Devices

If your doctor prescribes it, there's a good chance your HSA covers it:

  • Blood pressure monitors
  • CPAP machines for sleep apnea
  • Insulin pumps and syringes
  • Orthopaedic shoes and inserts

Surprising Things Most People Don't Know About

Here's where it gets interesting. These are all legitimate eligible medical expenses that most HSA holders never think to claim:

  • Medical travel -- If you drive 40+ km to see a specialist, you can claim mileage, meals, and even accommodation.
  • Gluten-free food -- If you have celiac disease, the extra cost of gluten-free products over regular equivalents is claimable.
  • Wigs -- For people who've lost hair due to disease, medical treatment, or an accident.
  • Home modifications -- Ramps, grab bars, widened doorways, and other changes needed for a disability or mobility impairment.

What You Can't Buy With an HSA

Not everything qualifies. A few common ones that don't make the cut:

  • Gym memberships -- Not eligible, even with a doctor's note.
  • Cosmetic surgery -- Teeth whitening, Botox, liposuction, and other purely cosmetic procedures are out.
  • Over-the-counter medications -- Generally not covered unless your doctor writes a prescription for them.

The Full List

This guide covers the things people use most, but the CRA actually recognizes over 140 categories of eligible expenses. For the complete breakdown, check out our full list of HSA eligible expenses in Canada.

Start Using Your HSA

If your business doesn't have a Health Spending Account yet, you're leaving real tax savings on the table. With Frontier Health, there are no setup fees, no premiums, and no contracts. Submit a receipt, get reimbursed by e-transfer within 24-48 hours. It's the simplest way to turn everyday health expenses into tax-free benefits.

Get started with Frontier Health and see how much you can save.

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