Overview
You can definitely claim out of country medical expenses through your Health Spending Account (HSA), as long as the expenses are considered eligible under your Plan.
Check out your eligibility overview for more details on eligible expenses.
To make sure your claim goes smoothly, there are a few things to keep in mind: eligibility, currency conversion, and required documentation.
Let’s take a closer look!
The details
Eligibility
Even when medical services or items are provided outside of Canada, they must still meet the CRA’s eligibility criteria for medical expenses.
That means:
- The expense must fall within the HSA’s eligible expense guidelines.
- The provider must meet the same eligibility standards as if they were located in Canada.
So, if your massage therapist in the Caribbean doesn’t meet CRA’s criteria for a licensed medical practitioner, the claim may not be approved.
Submitting in Canadian dollars
When claiming a medical expense paid in another currency, you’ll need to enter the equivalent value in Canadian dollars at the time of the transaction.
A few tips to make that easier:
- If you paid by credit card, your statement will usually show both the foreign currency amount and the CAD equivalent. Use that!
- If you paid in cash, hang on to your currency exchange receipt so you can justify the conversion rate if CRA ever asks.
- If you don’t provide a CAD equivalent, we might follow up to request the original foreign amount and calculate the correct conversion for you. To avoid delays, it’s easiest to:
- Upload the original receipt
- Enter the Canadian amount you’re claiming
We’re here to help make sure your claim holds up if CRA ever comes knocking, so accuracy helps everyone!
Language matters too
Receipts in a foreign language? No problem, as long as you provide a translation. It doesn’t need to be a certified translator, but it must clearly describe:
- What service or item was purchased
- Who it was for
- The date of the expense
This helps our team adjudicate the claim fairly and quickly.
Anything else?
Keep your documentation on file, even after your claim is approved. CRA could request proof in the future, and it’s a good practice to hang onto:
- The original receipt
- Proof of payment
- Any currency conversion records or statements
- Translation, if needed
Check out these articles for more information: