---
updatedAt: 2026-08-11T15:45:08.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.nmi.com/llms.txt
---

# FSA Support

Pass through healthcare specific fields to your processor to benefit from preferred transaction rates. 

# Overview

**Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)** and **Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)** are tax-advantaged accounts that allow consumers to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. Many medical offices and healthcare merchants in the U.S. accept FSA/HSA cards.

To accept FSA or HSA cards with the Lane/Series devices, your Point of Sale (POS) system must support an Inventory **Information Approval System (IIAS)** — a lookup service that verifies which items in a transaction are eligible for FSA/HSA payment.

An IIAS validates each product or service in the checkout basket against an approved product database.

Only eligible healthcare items can be charged to the FSA/HSA card.

# Typical Transaction Flow

In order to perform FSA transactions with your Lane/Series device, we recommend the transaction flow outlined below.

<Image align="center" border={false} src="https://files.readme.io/3481d7359f0612fff6612f26d7c48dbaabacd8e473fd14a32866a0e01b4bc83c-FSA_Flow.png" />

1. The IIAS determines which checkout items are eligible for FSA/HSA payment.
2. A transaction is initiated for the HSA/FSA eligible items only, and the cardholder is instructed to use their HSA/FSA card.
3. The transaction request sent to the NMI gateway must include **FSA-specific fields** (see <Anchor label="Per Transaction Configuration" href="../docs/fsa-support#per-transaction-configuration">Per Transaction Configuration</Anchor>)
4. If non-eligible items remain, a second standard transaction can be performed.

<Callout icon="💡" theme="default">
  **Tip**: This separation ensures compliant processing and prevents declines for ineligible items.
</Callout>

# Merchant Configuration

Each merchant must be configured to indicate how they substantiate FSA/HSA purchases. This configuration is set by the partner during account setup using the FSA/HSA Substantiation Indicator (`id51`).

| Option    | Description                                                            | Indicator (`id51`)     |
| :-------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------- |
| Uses IIAS | Merchant validates purchases via an IIAS lookup                        | 1                      |
| No IIAS   | Merchant does not validate purchases via IIAS                          | 0                      |
| 90% Rule  | Merchant exempt because ≥90% of sales are for approved health products | 2                      |
| N/A       | Not applicable or not configured                                       | (empty or other value) |

This configuration can be set manually during Merchant Onboarding in the Partner Portal or via API.

# Per Transaction Configuration

Transactions that use an FSA or HSA card must include fields identifying the healthcare-related amounts.

| Field Name              | Meaning                                                                                                                                   | Card Brands |
| :---------------------- | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :---------- |
| `fsa_amount_healthcare` | Total healthcare spend (usually equals total transaction amount for FSA/HSA-only purchases).  **Required for most FSA/HSA transactions.** | Visa, MC    |
| `fsa_amount_vision`     | Total spend on vision services. May be sent instead of`fsa_amount_healthcare`                                                             | Visa only   |
| `fsa_amount_rx`         | Amount spent on prescriptions.                                                                                                            | Visa, MC    |
| `fsa_amount_clinic`     | Amount spent on clinic services.                                                                                                          | Visa Only   |
| `fsa_amount_dental`     | Amount spent on dental services.                                                                                                          | Visa Only   |

### Example: FSA Transaction Request

```
`{
  "amount": "100.00",
  "fsa_amount_healthcare": "100.00",
  "fsa_amount_clinic": "40.00",
  "fsa_amount_rx": "60.00",
  "payment_method": "fsa_card"
}`
```

In this example:

* The total sale is $100.
* $40 applies to clinic services.
* $60 applies to prescriptions.

<Callout icon="❗️" theme="error">
  **Important**: Transactions missing required FSA fields may be rejected by the card network.
</Callout>

# Troubleshooting & FAQs

**Q: What if the card is declined?**
Ensure the purchase includes only IIAS-approved items and that your merchant account is configured with the correct substantiation indicator.

**Q: What if the sale includes both FSA and non-FSA items?**
Split the sale into two transactions — one for eligible items (FSA/HSA) and one for standard payment.

**Q: Do I need IIAS if I’m a healthcare-only merchant?**
If ≥90% of your sales are for approved healthcare products, you may qualify under the 90% Rule (set `id51 = 2`).