Yes, copays and costs associated with vaccinations are qualified medical expenses under HSA guidelines. Receiving a vaccine is a service, not a prescription drug. You don't take the vaccine home with you.
You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for prescribed medicines and drugs. A prescribed drug is one that requires a prescription by a doctor for its use by an individual.
Additionally, the ACA mandated that certain preventive care services be made available at zero cost. Here's a list of the ACA Mandated preventive care benefits related to immunization:
- Immunization vaccines - Diphtheria - Hepatitis A - Hepatitis B - Herpes Zoster - Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Influenza (flu shot) - Measles - Meningococcal - Mumps - Pertussis - Pneumococcal - Rubella - Tetanus - Varicella (Chickenpox)
Carriers are free to add to this list, but these are the minimums required. The rest of the list can be seen here.
If you go somewhere to pay for the immunization, or you're receiving an immunization not listed as preventive, it will depend on how it's billed. By and large, if you're making an appointment with your doctor to receive an immunization it will be eligible under an HSA. A pop-up clinic can also likely bill the administration of a vaccine under an office visit or outpatient service. Some pharmacies may be restricted to billing against Rx benefits, in which case you will need a prescription as now you're buying a drug not a service.
When you make your appointment, be clear that you're making a preventive care appointment for XYZ.