Health Sharing Coverage - expenses eligible under Cafeteria Plan?

[Belgarath]

I'm not familiar with these - (other than hearing them advertised on the radio) - blurb from IRS included in link. Are these expenses allowable as "premiums" under a cafeteria plan? If not, can the expenses be considered an allowable expense under a Health FSA?

https://apps.irs.gov/app/IPAR/resources/help/acamnstry.html

[rr_sphr]

Interesting rabbit hole!!!   

I know what they are, but generally FSAs aren't allowed to be pay insurance premiums..see: https://www.healthcare.gov/have-job-based-coverage/flexible-spending-accounts/.  "You can spend FSA funds to pay deductibles and copayments, but not for insurance premiums."   The argument seems to be these aren't insurance premiums but rather contributions to a charity that then pays out for medical needs of its members.  That said, are they really even medical expenses if not premiums?   Since there is no guarantee that claims will be paid and they aren't for a specific medical service/equipment or drugs, I'm thinking no the premium would not be eligible under FSA. IF there is a copay or deductible for medical care later, then those would be eligible....

But my rabbit hole couldn't come up with a definitive answer directly.  

 

[leevena]

I agree, see IRS publication 502 on eligible expenses.