HSA/FSA
Are Fitness Programs & Classes HSA/FSA Eligible?
Fitness funds: Make your HSA and FSA work as hard as you do.
December 6, 2024
Sam O'Keefe
Co-founder & CEO of Flex
Overview
Overview
Overview
Among all the miracle weight loss pills and fad diets, it can be easy to overlook the one thing proven to reduce the risk of chronic disease, boost happiness, and generally improve quality of life — exercise.
A survey run by the National Center for Health Statistics showed that less than 25% of adults meet the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which outlines science-based standards for physical activity per week to achieve a range of health benefits.
That’s fewer than one in four people getting enough exercise to support their health.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to overhaul your life to turn things around. Whether it’s yoga, fitness classes, or even apps there are countless ways to incorporate movement into your day — and your Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) could do the heavy lifting to pay for it.
Let’s see how we can make fitness work for your body and your budget.
Breaking It Down: The Differences Between Fitness Programs and Classes
What are fitness programs?
Fitness programs are structured plans designed to achieve a certain health outcome through exercise.
Some are made to trim you down, others help you build your strength up, and many more are meant to treat an injury or condition. These might include:
Physical therapy for post-surgery rehabilitation.
Occupational therapy to help you recover function after trauma or an injury, such as a stroke.
A personal trainer who designs a strength program to address a weakness or facilitate improvement in an athletic activity.
Chronic pain management, such as strength training to alleviate back pain.
Condition-specific training, like exercises tailored to improve mobility for arthritis patients.
Weight-loss program which includes exercise to address diabetes or hypertension.
Fitness programs and classes can help you achieve certain health outcomes through exercise, and may be covered by your HSA or FSA. Source: Unsplash
What are fitness classes?
When you hear “fitness classes,” you likely think of a group of enthusiasts sweating in a gym or studio. That’s the idea.
These classes are designed to motivate, engage, and challenge you through guided instruction. Popular examples include:
Spin classes at CycleBar or SoulCycle.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions at F45 or Barry’s Bootcamp.
Strength and functional training at CrossFit.
Yoga and Pilates sessions at CorePower Yoga, Barre3, or Hotworx.
General gym classes offered at facilities like Gold’s Gym, Blink Fitness, and VASA Fitness.
These classes come with the added benefit of community, accountability, and variety. They're a great choice for those of us who find it challenging to pick up a gym routine and stick to it on their own.
Classes vs. programs: What's the difference?
While fitness classes are usually geared toward improving general health and fitness, programs are more often tailored to medical or therapeutic needs. This distinction is important when determining what is HSA/FSA eligible, as programs are potentially more likely to qualify, depending on what health condition they address and how they do so.
Are Fitness Programs & Classes HSA and FSA Eligible?
In most cases, fitness expenses require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LoMN) to qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement.
This means that the document must state that the fitness program is essential for treating, monitoring, or preventing a specific health condition and the expense would not have been incurred but for the condition. With this letter, fitness programs and classes may become HSA or FSA eligible.
Note that while regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, the IRS generally views fitness activities as supporting "general health" rather than addressing a specific medical condition — so you need to prove that the fitness program is for a specific medical condition.
What may qualify a fitness class, program, or app to be HSA or FSA eligible?
Common qualifying conditions include:
Cardiovascular diseases: Coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure, stroke
Metabolic conditions: Type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome
Respiratory conditions: COPD, asthma
Musculoskeletal disorders: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic back pain
Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety disorders, stress, ADHD
Neurological conditions: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis
Gastrointestinal conditions: IBS, constipation
Cancer: Exercise as a complementary treatment or prevention.
Endocrine disorders: PCOS, thyroid disorders
Chronic pain conditions: Fibromyalgia, chronic headaches
Aging-related conditions: Sarcopenia, cognitive decline
Can You Use HSA/FSA to Pay for Gym Memberships?
The short answer is yes, you may be able to pay for a gym membership with your HSA or FSA, but you need a Letter of Medical Necessity. To ensure that your gym or health club qualifies for HSA/FSA reimbursement, you first need to consult with your medical provider who will determine if a wellness program or fitness equipment is medically necessary to address a specific health condition. From there, they will provide you with a LOMN outlining how membership is necessary to improve or maintain your health.
Can you use your HSA for personal training?
Personal training might be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity if prescribed for a medical condition. For example, your doctor might recommend sessions with a specialist trainer to help improve your mobility post-injury.
Can you use your HSA for pilates?
You can use your HSA funds for pilates if it’s prescribed to address a specific issue like back pain or to improve flexibility and strength for a medical condition.
I want to try yoga, can I use my HSA to pay for it?
Yoga may be covered if prescribed to alleviate stress, anxiety, or conditions like arthritis or back pain. You will most likely need a Letter of Medical Necessity.
Fitness classes, like yoga or pilates, can offer a supportive environment along your wellness journey. Source: Unsplash
How Flex Can Help You Pay for Fitness Programs & Classes with Your HSA/FSA
Looking to make fitness part of your healthcare strategy? Flex can help you, well, flex your budget.
If the brand has partnered with Flex:
Step 1: Add the HSA/FSA-eligible fitness program or class you want to your cart
Flex partners with brands like Trainwell and Tempo to streamline the process of paying for HSA/FSA-eligible fitness programs and classes.
Step 2: Complete a quick, 3-minute health consultation
Through Flex, you’ll have an Instant chat consultation with a licensed provider who will determine your eligibility. If eligible, you’ll receive a Letter of Medical Necessity in under two hours.
Step 3: Select “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" at checkout
And that’s it! You can purchase directly from the companies by selecting “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" as your payment option at checkout. You can then use either your HSA/FSA card to pay directly or pay out-of-pocket with a regular credit or debit card (and receive the required documents to submit for reimbursement via email).
If the brand has not yet partnered with Flex:
Complete the health consultation to determine your eligibility. If eligible, you’ll receive a Letter of Medical Necessity in under two hours.
Submit for reimbursement: Pay for your fitness program, class, or app with a standard payment method. Do not use your HSA/FSA card at checkout. Follow our instructions to submit your Letter and receipt to your HSA/FSA administrator for reimbursement.
Invest in Your Health, Save for Your Future
With a little planning and the right documentation, you can make the most of your HSA or FSA funds to stay fit and healthy. Remember: your health is worth it!
Among all the miracle weight loss pills and fad diets, it can be easy to overlook the one thing proven to reduce the risk of chronic disease, boost happiness, and generally improve quality of life — exercise.
A survey run by the National Center for Health Statistics showed that less than 25% of adults meet the recommendations of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which outlines science-based standards for physical activity per week to achieve a range of health benefits.
That’s fewer than one in four people getting enough exercise to support their health.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to overhaul your life to turn things around. Whether it’s yoga, fitness classes, or even apps there are countless ways to incorporate movement into your day — and your Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) could do the heavy lifting to pay for it.
Let’s see how we can make fitness work for your body and your budget.
Breaking It Down: The Differences Between Fitness Programs and Classes
What are fitness programs?
Fitness programs are structured plans designed to achieve a certain health outcome through exercise.
Some are made to trim you down, others help you build your strength up, and many more are meant to treat an injury or condition. These might include:
Physical therapy for post-surgery rehabilitation.
Occupational therapy to help you recover function after trauma or an injury, such as a stroke.
A personal trainer who designs a strength program to address a weakness or facilitate improvement in an athletic activity.
Chronic pain management, such as strength training to alleviate back pain.
Condition-specific training, like exercises tailored to improve mobility for arthritis patients.
Weight-loss program which includes exercise to address diabetes or hypertension.
Fitness programs and classes can help you achieve certain health outcomes through exercise, and may be covered by your HSA or FSA. Source: Unsplash
What are fitness classes?
When you hear “fitness classes,” you likely think of a group of enthusiasts sweating in a gym or studio. That’s the idea.
These classes are designed to motivate, engage, and challenge you through guided instruction. Popular examples include:
Spin classes at CycleBar or SoulCycle.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions at F45 or Barry’s Bootcamp.
Strength and functional training at CrossFit.
Yoga and Pilates sessions at CorePower Yoga, Barre3, or Hotworx.
General gym classes offered at facilities like Gold’s Gym, Blink Fitness, and VASA Fitness.
These classes come with the added benefit of community, accountability, and variety. They're a great choice for those of us who find it challenging to pick up a gym routine and stick to it on their own.
Classes vs. programs: What's the difference?
While fitness classes are usually geared toward improving general health and fitness, programs are more often tailored to medical or therapeutic needs. This distinction is important when determining what is HSA/FSA eligible, as programs are potentially more likely to qualify, depending on what health condition they address and how they do so.
Are Fitness Programs & Classes HSA and FSA Eligible?
In most cases, fitness expenses require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LoMN) to qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement.
This means that the document must state that the fitness program is essential for treating, monitoring, or preventing a specific health condition and the expense would not have been incurred but for the condition. With this letter, fitness programs and classes may become HSA or FSA eligible.
Note that while regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, the IRS generally views fitness activities as supporting "general health" rather than addressing a specific medical condition — so you need to prove that the fitness program is for a specific medical condition.
What may qualify a fitness class, program, or app to be HSA or FSA eligible?
Common qualifying conditions include:
Cardiovascular diseases: Coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure, stroke
Metabolic conditions: Type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome
Respiratory conditions: COPD, asthma
Musculoskeletal disorders: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic back pain
Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety disorders, stress, ADHD
Neurological conditions: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis
Gastrointestinal conditions: IBS, constipation
Cancer: Exercise as a complementary treatment or prevention.
Endocrine disorders: PCOS, thyroid disorders
Chronic pain conditions: Fibromyalgia, chronic headaches
Aging-related conditions: Sarcopenia, cognitive decline
Can You Use HSA/FSA to Pay for Gym Memberships?
The short answer is yes, you may be able to pay for a gym membership with your HSA or FSA, but you need a Letter of Medical Necessity. To ensure that your gym or health club qualifies for HSA/FSA reimbursement, you first need to consult with your medical provider who will determine if a wellness program or fitness equipment is medically necessary to address a specific health condition. From there, they will provide you with a LOMN outlining how membership is necessary to improve or maintain your health.
Can you use your HSA for personal training?
Personal training might be eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity if prescribed for a medical condition. For example, your doctor might recommend sessions with a specialist trainer to help improve your mobility post-injury.
Can you use your HSA for pilates?
You can use your HSA funds for pilates if it’s prescribed to address a specific issue like back pain or to improve flexibility and strength for a medical condition.
I want to try yoga, can I use my HSA to pay for it?
Yoga may be covered if prescribed to alleviate stress, anxiety, or conditions like arthritis or back pain. You will most likely need a Letter of Medical Necessity.
Fitness classes, like yoga or pilates, can offer a supportive environment along your wellness journey. Source: Unsplash
How Flex Can Help You Pay for Fitness Programs & Classes with Your HSA/FSA
Looking to make fitness part of your healthcare strategy? Flex can help you, well, flex your budget.
If the brand has partnered with Flex:
Step 1: Add the HSA/FSA-eligible fitness program or class you want to your cart
Flex partners with brands like Trainwell and Tempo to streamline the process of paying for HSA/FSA-eligible fitness programs and classes.
Step 2: Complete a quick, 3-minute health consultation
Through Flex, you’ll have an Instant chat consultation with a licensed provider who will determine your eligibility. If eligible, you’ll receive a Letter of Medical Necessity in under two hours.
Step 3: Select “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" at checkout
And that’s it! You can purchase directly from the companies by selecting “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" as your payment option at checkout. You can then use either your HSA/FSA card to pay directly or pay out-of-pocket with a regular credit or debit card (and receive the required documents to submit for reimbursement via email).
If the brand has not yet partnered with Flex:
Complete the health consultation to determine your eligibility. If eligible, you’ll receive a Letter of Medical Necessity in under two hours.
Submit for reimbursement: Pay for your fitness program, class, or app with a standard payment method. Do not use your HSA/FSA card at checkout. Follow our instructions to submit your Letter and receipt to your HSA/FSA administrator for reimbursement.
Invest in Your Health, Save for Your Future
With a little planning and the right documentation, you can make the most of your HSA or FSA funds to stay fit and healthy. Remember: your health is worth it!
Flex is the easiest way for direct to consumer brands and retailers to accept HSA/FSA for their products. From fitness and nutrition, to sleep and mental health, Flex takes a holistic view of healthcare and enables consumers to use their pre-tax money to do the same.