Before your FSA (flexible spending account) balance expires on Dec. 31, you’ll want to spend those funds before they expire. In case you didn’t know, there are a variety of surprising wellness devices that your FSA may cover. The same applies to the HSA, or health savings account, but those funds don’t expire on a specific date.
When it comes to both FSA and HSA spending, it’s helpful to know that they extend beyond doctors’ appointments or medication.
“This trend is transforming how employees view their benefits, as these accounts aren’t just for emergencies anymore,” said Chris Byrd, senior vice president at WEX, a global commerce platform that administers HSAs and FSAs.
Below, we outline some of the most surprising health tech devices that your HSA or FSA might cover.
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1. Massage guns
You may be surprised to learn that massage guns like Therabody’s Theraguns could be FSA- or HSA-eligible. Starting at $200, you can also find two massage guns from the brand Caring Mill by Aura, an in-house brand from the HSA and FSA Stores, that could be eligible. One is even heated and comes in a two-pack.
There’s also a vibrating, heated foam roller and Therabody’s TheraCup for cupping therapy paired with heat and vibration.
2. Oura Ring
The Oura Ring, CNET’s favorite smart ring, is now FSA- and HSA-eligible. You can place an order through Oura Ring using your FSA or HSA card or later submit your purchase for reimbursement.
3. Whoop wearable
Our best overall sleep tracker is the Whoop 4.0, and we recently reviewed the Whoop 5.0, which we like for its healthspan and hormonal insights. On the FSA and HSA Stores, your Whoop 5.0 purchase also comes with the SuperKnit band, a 12-month membership, a waterproof Wireless PowerPack and a lifetime warranty.
4. Smart blood pressure monitors
Garmin’s Index BPM Smart Blood Pressure Monitor is available for $200. It has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and can be connected to your smartphone via the Garmin Connect app.
At a more affordable $76, there’s also the Omron Evolv Wireless Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor, which connects to smart devices via an app to help you track your blood pressure readings.
5. Chest strap heart rate monitors
For $80, you can get the Garmin Heart Rate Monitor 200, which provides real-time heart rate and heart rate variability data that can be sent to compatible Garmin smartwatches, apps and other devices. It also comes in two sizes: XS-S and M-XL.
6. Light therapy devices
Whether you’re looking for a red light therapy LED mask like that from Dr. Dennis Gross or a panel such as the one offered from reVive for your skin-care routine, you may be able to get one covered using your HSA or FSA.
7. Compression boots
Also listed on the HSA and FSA Stores are the Therabody JetBoots, compression boots that reduce muscle pain, increase blood flow and promote recovery. The JetBoots Prime is $600, and the JetBoots Pro Plus is $1,200, and they also come with vibration and red light therapy.
8. Baby monitors
HSA- and FSA-covered wellness devices aren’t just for grown-ups. Baby monitors, such as the Nanit Pro Camera for $250 and the Owlet Dream Duo for $400, can be purchased using these accounts. The Dream Duo even comes with a sock that can track your baby’s oxygen levels, pulse rate and sleep trends.
9. Litter robots
Whisker recently announced that, in partnership with HSA/FSA e-commerce platform Sika Health, its automatic litter devices are the first and only of their kind to qualify for HSA and FSA eligibility for pet parents with medical conditions — such as limited mobility, pregnancy, chronic pain, arthritis, allergies and other conditions you can find here — that make litter box maintenance difficult.
This includes items from Whisker’s recently launched Litter-Robot lineup, as well as the Feeder-Robot for automatic feedings. A Letter of Medical Necessity is required for purchase, which can be facilitated through Sika Health, and Whisker is fully covering the $30 LMN processing fee. Free shipping is also offered (excluding Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico) along with a 90-day trial.
But first, make sure your items are eligible
Byrd explains that it’s important to pay attention to the fine print and requirements for HSA or FSA eligibility. “Broadly speaking, eligibility is tied to use for treatment of a medical condition,” he says. “If the item or service is for general health and well-being or cosmetic reasons, it’s typically not going to be eligible. Items like the Theragun and acne masks fall into this category, where they are HSA eligible, conditioned on medical need. In such cases, a note from a medical practitioner, commonly known as a letter of medical necessity, is normally required.”
To ensure an item is HSA-eligible, consult your HSA provider’s online dashboard or app.
What’s the difference between an HSA and an FSA?
“The main difference is that an HSA is an individually owned account,” says Byrd. “It can be set up through an employer plan or individually at the HSA provider of your choice. It stays with you, even if you change jobs, while an FSA is tied to your employer and often has a ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ rule at the end of the plan year.”
Those participating in an HSA must be enrolled in an HSA-qualified health insurance plan, while FSAs work with any group health insurance plan.
“Another key difference that people may not realize is that they can invest HSA funds, but not FSA funds,” adds Byrd. Depending on your provider, you may be able to invest your HSA funds into mutual or index funds, so your money can grow tax-free over time for future healthcare expenses.
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