Any luck getting an FSA invoice/receipt from Bambino?

[ABCurious]

They advertise that they accept FSA, but I ordered some samples from them and I've emailed them a few times now about getting an FSA receipt, but they've been completely unresponsive.

Is it because I ordered samples? Will they issue an FSA receipt if I order a bag or case? What has been your experience with this?

While I'm at it, I did the same with LL Medico, and the receipt they issued was rejected by my FSA administrator. Was it because it was samples, or possibly because it was auto-ship? They said it was rejected because it's a "diaper service." Are auto-ship orders generally not FSA eligible? Or is it more likely they thought it was for baby diapers? The invoice I submitted is pretty clear that they're adult diapers.

Thanks

 

[Magicalgirl101]

If they are FSA eligible it would disclose that.

 

[ABCurious]

If they are FSA eligible it would disclose that.

I don't understand your response. Are you saying that if they were FSA eligible, they would say so? Because they do. I've gotten emails specifically advertising that they are FSA eligible, and they used to have an option to request an FSA invoice on their contract us form, but that's been removed. But I've received emails advertising they accept FSA since then.

 

[PupSpaz]

Here's my understanding:

You don't need a special receipt for FSA reimbursement, the regular receipt showing the purchase of covered products is sufficient. Adult incontinence supplies - regardless of print or target audience or quantity - are supposed to be covered if you have a legitimate medical need and use them to manage it.

I don't believe you're plan administrator can specify only certain stores are permissable for expenses, it'd be an obvious conflict of interests if they could force you to spend money with a company they may have a relationship / kickback with. FSAStore.com is simply smart marketing by the store and generally overpriced - they're happy to take money from you, especially if your panic buying before you loose access to funds. You should be able to buy a bottle of aspirin at your local grocery along with your groceries and still get reimbursed for that bottle of aspirin with proof of expense (receipt).

FSA administrators are different for each plan / employer and are not government employees, but they should apply the letter of the law defining appropriate use of FSA funds and cover the supplies - some may require or ask for additional documentation, but most don't. Since there is no standard in how to administer HSA accounts, they all vary and one administrator may be easier or harder to work with than others. For adult diapers, some administrators will not pry and require additional documentation of need, and some will go overboard and require onerous documentation and even deny legitimate expenses. Very much a wild west of inconsistencies, and (shockingly, not!) the law as written is often as not clear as mud.

Oh, and Bambino doesn't respond to much of anything... They'll sometimes fix things after contacting them, but without response - almost like there's no one capable of using a phone or responding to an email there. Would love to hear from anyone that's actually gotten a response when needed, because their products are really good IMHO and it's kinda a black eye on them...

 

[ABCurious]

Here's my understanding:

You don't need a special receipt for FSA reimbursement, the regular receipt showing the purchase of covered products is sufficient. Adult incontinence supplies - regardless of print or target audience or quantity - are supposed to be covered if you have a legitimate medical need and use them to manage it.

FSA administrators are different for each plan / employer and are not government employees, but they should apply the letter of the law defining appropriate use of FSA funds and cover the supplies - some may require or ask for additional documentation, but most don't. Since there is no standard in how to administer HSA accounts, they all vary and one administrator may be easier or harder to work with than others. For adult diapers, some administrators will not pry and require additional documentation of need, and some will go overboard and require onerous documentation and even deny legitimate expenses. Very much a wild west of inconsistencies, and (shockingly, not!) the law as written is often as not clear as mud.

Thank you for the very detailed and thoughtful reply. I never actually received anykind of receipt or invoice from them. I got an order confirmation screen and email that I can take a screenshot of, but I very much doubt my FSA will accept that lol. And my FSA is requiring a receipt for this particular purchase. Some they accept automatically, others require a receipt and they have accepted what I submitted, it's just these 2 orders I'm having issues with.

 

[PupSpaz]

Thank you for the very detailed and thoughtful reply. I never actually received anykind of receipt or invoice from them. I got an order confirmation screen and email that I can take a screenshot of, but I very much doubt my FSA will accept that lol. And my FSA is requiring a receipt for this particular purchase. Some they accept automatically, others require a receipt and they have accepted what I submitted, it's just these 2 orders I'm having issues with.

The email is the receipt, and you can also pdf print the web page of the order through their website. I think the paper they include in your order is just a packing slip without prices... Your probably never going to get a paper receipt from them, but you can print the email.

Note: edited my above post with more info / reflection

 

[ABCurious]

IDK, maybe if their logo didn't take up half the page and detail the actual names of the products, I'd be more confident lol. That said, they finally got back to me today! They sent me a proper invoice and I've submitted it to my FSA and am waiting for it to be processed. Bambino said that they had been updating their messaging system so my messages might have gotten lost.

I also contacted my FSA administrator about the LL Medico order and explained that it is for adult incontinence supplies, and they are resubmitting the claim. I'll post an update when I've heard back and these orders. Fingers crossed, because those are the two main suppliers I'm looking into. Bambino actually has pretty decent prices of you buy in bulk during one of their seemingly frequent sales. And they don't charge tax in my state either.

 

[PupSpaz]

Bambino said that they had been updating their messaging system so my messages might have gotten lost.

Not holding my breath, but it's possible, lol.

 

[thatguy46]

I've been trying to get in touch with their customer service team recently too. A cupon code they emailed about wasn't working so i figured id ask them whats up. Sent them 2 tickets on their website and responded to their email and still no response about 2 weeks later....
I did place an order though and it shipped.... right now they have 40% off got 88 diapers for 1.70 each and i consider them to be the same quality, and thickness as rearz.

 

[thatguy46]

IDK, maybe if their logo didn't take up half the page and detail the actual names of the products, I'd be more confident lol. That said, they finally got back to me today! They sent me a proper invoice and I've submitted it to my FSA and am waiting for it to be processed. Bambino said that they had been updating their messaging system so my messages might have gotten lost.

I also contacted my FSA administrator about the LL Medico order and explained that it is for adult incontinence supplies, and they are resubmitting the claim. I'll post an update when I've heard back and these orders. Fingers crossed, because those are the two main suppliers I'm looking into. Bambino actually has pretty decent prices of you buy in bulk during one of their seemingly frequent sales. And they don't charge tax in my state either.

For FSA benefits, you need a receipt and that's it yes? I read that the cares act made it so you no longer need a prescription for over the counter FSA items so long as its a reasonable need?

 

[Eclectic]

I read that the cares act made it so you no longer need a prescription for over the counter FSA items so long as its a reasonable need?

You might want to check the IRS rules if they have been updated. Also search FSA on this site as there have been many discussions about this. IRS rules have always stated that when it comes to diapers there must be a medical need. An FSA Administrator can deny your claim without proof of a documented need for adult diapers. I used to use a FSA to pay for diapers and the company always required me to submit a note from my doctor along with the receipt. From what I gather from previous threads, other FSA Administrators appear to take your word for it.

To add further, if you submit a note of medical need, as I have in the past, ALL diaper purchases are FSA reimbursable.

 

[thatguy46]

You might want to check the IRS rules if they have been updated. Also search FSA on this site as there have been many discussions about this. IRS rules have always stated that when it comes to diapers there must be a medical need. An FSA Administrator can deny your claim without proof of a documented need for adult diapers. I used to use a FSA to pay for diapers and the company always required me to submit a note from my doctor along with the receipt. From what I gather from previous threads, other FSA Administrators appear to take your word for it.

To add further, if you submit a note of medical need, as I have in the past, ALL diaper purchases are FSA reimbursable.

Hmm ok. I certainly dont have a full IC problem, but i do have some issues with bed wetting occasionally when not diapered as well as small leaks during the day when not diapered. I havent seen a dr because it hasnt been a huge issue worth the embarassment. Ill look a but more i to it, thanks!

 

[ABCurious]

You might want to check the IRS rules if they have been updated. Also search FSA on this site as there have been many discussions about this. IRS rules have always stated that when it comes to diapers there must be a medical need. An FSA Administrator can deny your claim without proof of a documented need for adult diapers. I used to use a FSA to pay for diapers and the company always required me to submit a note from my doctor along with the receipt. From what I gather from previous threads, other FSA Administrators appear to take your word for it.

To add further, if you submit a note of medical need, as I have in the past, ALL diaper purchases are FSA reimbursable.

Right now, in 2023, the IRS doesn't require any kind of prescription or proof of medical necessity. I've checked into this multiple times and with multiple sources, including the IRS themselves. My FSA administrator also does not have such requirements. When they DO require such proof is when it comes to diapers and diaper services for babies and children, as those are not assumed to be a medical necessity. All my administrator has needed so far is a receipt, and sometimes they don't even need that. Purchases made on Amazon and at Tykables were approved automatically, without even a receipt.

I'm also happy to report that my administrator has approved the receipt that I finally got from Bambino. The only hangup left so far is LL Medico, which is ironic.

 

[ABCurious]

I've been trying to get in touch with their customer service team recently too. A cupon code they emailed about wasn't working so i figured id ask them whats up. Sent them 2 tickets on their website and responded to their email and still no response about 2 weeks later....
I did place an order though and it shipped.... right now they have 40% off got 88 diapers for 1.70 each and i consider them to be the same quality, and thickness as rearz.

Yeah, I need to really check out the samples I ordered, because if they are good, then they may end up being a go-to. They seem to have sales like this all the time.

 

[ABCurious]

For FSA benefits, you need a receipt and that's it yes? I read that the cares act made it so you no longer need a prescription for over the counter FSA items so long as its a reasonable need?

Correct. At most, you will need a receipt. Depending on your plan administrator, you might not even need that. As long as they are for an adult.

 

[ABCurious]

Hmm ok. I certainly dont have a full IC problem, but i do have some issues with bed wetting occasionally when not diapered as well as small leaks during the day when not diapered. I havent seen a dr because it hasnt been a huge issue worth the embarassment. Ill look a but more i to it, thanks!

The IRS for sure does not have any requirements other than that they be for an adult. Your plan administrator might have different requirements though, so check with them. My administrator only requires a receipt, and only sometimes, to prove the purchase is for a covered item. A couple recent orders were approved automatically. I've only had one denied, and it was because they thought it was for baby diapers. They are currently reevaluating the claim after I contacted them and clarified the purchase was for an adult.

 

[thatguy46]

Yeah, I need to really check out the samples I ordered, because if they are good, then they may end up being a go-to. They seem to have sales like this all the time.

They have become by go to for white diapers. I'm not a big fan of their prints tbh other than the all over classic style.

 

[ABCurious]

They have become by go to for white diapers. I'm not a big fan of their prints tbh other than the all over classic style.

Those are actually the exact samples I ordered lol. Bianco, Bianco Ultra, and Classico v2. I'm not really interested in printed or colored diapers, for the most part, and prefer all white. There's really only a couple I'm interested in at all, the Classico v2 and ABU Little Kings. And I may very well decide I don't care for them either after trying them out.

 

[NewLeaf]

right now they have 40% off got 88 diapers for 1.70 each

Where did you find this deal for Bambino?? All I found on their website was 30% off bags of 8 🥺

 

[PupSpaz]

Where did you find this deal for Bambino?? All I found on their website was 30% off bags of 8 🥺

Email list. While they can't seem to reply to individuals, they have no problem sending marketing emails multiple times a week!