HSAs and FSAs Expand Coverage to Modern Wellness Tech
Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are now being used to buy more than co-pays and prescriptions. Wearables and wellness tech — from Oura and WHOOP rings to smart blood-pressure monitors, massage guns, and compression boots — may qualify when tied to medical need. Always verify eligibility and, if required, get a letter of medical necessity.
HSAs and FSAs are changing how people buy health tech. Once reserved for copays and prescriptions, these tax-advantaged accounts are increasingly used to cover modern wellness products — from smart rings and sleep trackers to recovery boots and red-light therapy panels.
Industry data from WEX and Visa, and commentary from Chris Byrd, senior vice president at WEX, show that the flexibility to use HSA funds for qualified wellness purchases is a top motivator for contributions. Employees are starting to view these accounts as active wellness tools, not just safety nets.
What wellness tech may be eligible
- Massage guns — Devices like Theragun and other percussive tools can qualify when used to treat an injury or prescribed for rehabilitation.
- Oura Ring — Sleep and readiness rings are accepted by many HSA/FSA administrators; purchases can often be made directly with your benefit card or submitted for reimbursement.
- WHOOP and similar wearables — Membership-backed trackers that give healthspan and recovery insights are listed in some FSA/HSA stores, sometimes bundled with accessories and warranties.
- Smart blood-pressure monitors — Bluetooth-enabled upper-arm and cuffless monitors that track readings for clinical monitoring are commonly eligible.
- Chest-strap heart-rate monitors — Devices used for diagnostic or training purposes can qualify, especially if prescribed to monitor cardiac conditions.
- Light therapy devices — Red-light masks and panels sometimes qualify when used to treat medical skin conditions or to support recovery regimens.
- Compression and recovery boots — High-end recovery systems that improve circulation and reduce pain are listed by some administrators and may be eligible with documentation.
A key point: eligibility is not automatic. Byrd stresses that most approvals hinge on whether the purchase is for treatment of a medical condition rather than for general wellness or cosmetic use. That means items like massage guns or acne masks may require a letter of medical necessity from a licensed clinician.
How to confirm eligibility
Before you buy, check your HSA/FSA provider’s online store or dashboard. Save receipts, capture product descriptions, and if a device is prescribed, obtain a letter of medical necessity that clearly links the device to treatment. Keep records — reimbursements and audits rely on documentation.
HSA versus FSA: the basics
- Ownership and portability — HSAs are individually owned and stay with you across jobs; FSAs are employer-owned and often expire at year-end.
- Eligibility requirements — To open an HSA you must have an HSA-qualified health plan; FSAs work with most group plans but are tied to the employer.
- Investment potential — HSAs can let you invest funds tax-free for future health costs; FSAs do not typically offer investment options.
- Use-it-or-lose-it — FSAs often have stricter year-end rules; HSAs let you roll funds forward.
For employers and benefits teams, this shift matters. Offering clear guidance on eligible devices, streamlining documentation workflows, and communicating when a medical necessity note is required can increase adoption and satisfaction. Consumers benefit when plans make eligibility transparent and reduce friction on reimbursements.
As wellness tech becomes more clinical — tracking vitals, aiding recovery, or supporting chronic care — expect administrators to expand approved lists and refine rules. Organizations that combine eligibility analytics with user-focused processes will reduce claims disputes and help members get medically useful devices faster.
If you’re considering a purchase, treat your HSA or FSA as an investment in clinically useful tools: confirm eligibility, document medical need when required, and track outcomes. That way, these accounts truly become part of a modern, tech-enabled health toolkit.
Keep Reading
View AllMeta Oakley Vanguard Smart Glasses Aim at Active Wearers
Meta’s Oakley Vanguard sport smart glasses bring a 122° camera, 9-hour battery, Garmin sync and fitness features — but pairing and interoperability remain hurdles.
Meta Launches Ray‑Ban Display Glasses with Neural Band
Meta debuts $799 Ray‑Ban Display Glasses with a single‑eye LCOS display and a neural wristband for gesture control, plus prescription limits and app tradeoffs.
Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 Smart Glasses Double Battery Life
Meta’s Ray-Ban Gen 2 smart glasses deliver up to 8 hours battery, 3K video, faster charging, new audio features, and expanded translation support.
AI Tools Built for Agencies That Move Fast.
QuarkyByte helps employers and benefits teams map which wellness devices are likely eligible, build reimbursement rules that reduce claim friction, and analyze employee uptake to optimize benefits spend. Contact us to model cost savings and design compliant, user-friendly benefit workflows.