News
How to Use Your HSA/FSA to Pay for Orthopedic Shoes
Step into comfort and support with our guide to orthopedic shoes. Learn about what footwear options are available and how to pay for them with your HSA or FSA.
November 28, 2023
Sam O'Keefe
Co-founder & CEO of Flex
Overview
Overview
Overview
Finding a pair of orthopedic footwear that you love AND which provides relief from foot pain and posture problems is challenging — but paying for it doesn’t have to be. From cushioned soles to supportive arch insoles, Flex can help you use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) to pay for your new pair of prescribed shoes.
If you need a refresher, your HSA (or employer-provided FSA) is like a bank account for out-of-pocket health care expenses. You can use these funds for many eligible medical expenses — doctor’s visits, prescription medicines, vision care, and even health and wellness products — but it’s important to note that not all healthcare-related costs qualify. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines what has HSA/FSA eligibility, which you can learn more about in our article, What Can You Use HSA and FSA Funds For?
The world of orthopedics can be confusing, and similarly, using your HSA or FSA to pay for them isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. To help you hit the ground running — or walking — we’ll answer some key questions so you can find the best fit for your feet:
What are orthopedic shoes?
Who needs orthopedic shoes (and how it can help on your health journey)?
And, how to use your HSA/FSA to pay for orthopedic shoes
What Are Orthopedic Shoes?
Simply put, orthopedic footwear is specifically-designed with health conditions in mind. These often come in the form of specialty shoes, inserts or heel cups that provide support and relief for people with foot and postural conditions.
The benefits of orthopedic footwear include:
Improve comfort with extra cushioning and shock absorption
Provide arch support
Reduce and/or prevent pain and discomfort
Increase stability
Support healthy posture
Improve the function of the foot
Gait correction
Orthopedic shoes are recommended for people with various foot conditions, including arthritis, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and other maladies. As such, the features of orthopedic footwear go beyond what you’ll find in a standard shoe, typically offering a wider toe box, arch support, and a cradled heel.
They are often prescribed or recommended by healthcare professionals, such as orthopedic doctors or podiatrists, as part of a comprehensive approach to managing foot, leg, and back or posture health, and may be prescribed alongside a fitness or strengthening program.
Who Needs Orthopedic Shoes?
The feet are the foundation of the postural chain — the interconnected system of bones, joints, and muscles that support and maintain the body's posture and alignment. This means that any problems in the feet can potentially affect the alignment and function of the entire body.
Common conditions orthotics are prescribed for
If you’ve had foot pain, an injury, or a gait that causes problems with your postural chain (i.e., your feet aren’t tracking directly forward when you’re walking or running), your doctor may recommend corrective shoes as part of your treatment plan.
Some conditions and concerns you may hear are plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, overpronation or supination, metatarsalgia, high arches, and flat feet or fallen arches. You could also encounter diabetic foot problems (including charcot foot), arthritis, need help with your feet post-surgery or as part of your injury recovery, such as after experiencing a stress fracture.
Painful conditions of the feet can impact anyone of any gender, at any age, so having access to good orthopedic care is essential! These shoes can also be both preventive and an acute treatment, so talk to your doctor about what your personal needs are for your specific health plan.
How to Use Your HSA/FSA to Pay for Orthopedic Shoes
In general, medical expenses that are considered necessary for the treatment, mitigation, or prevention of a specific medical condition are reimbursable with your HSA or FSA. For basic items like prescription glasses, dental checkups, or OTC pain and cold meds, you can simply use your HSA/FSA debit card.
Does an HSA or FSA cover orthopedic footwear products?
Yes, therapeutic orthopedic footwear — such as, inserts, diabetic shoes, and custom orthotics — are eligible for reimbursement with an HSA or FSA. However, you need to take an extra step to make sure you are in compliance.
Some items need to be prescribed by a medical professional in order to qualify for reimbursement, though. And this needs to be communicated to the IRS.
What Is a Letter of Medical Necessity?
For certain HSA or FSA purchases, a healthcare professional must diagnose an individual's medical issues and provide a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN). This is because the IRS sets strict rules for what is considered a qualified medical expense.
A LOMN helps satisfy IRS requirements by providing a detailed explanation about why the item or service is medically necessary.
How do you get a Letter of Medical Necessity?
If a consumer wants to get a Letter of Medical Necessity, they need to schedule time with their healthcare provider (such as a doctor, specialist, or therapist) to discuss the issue ahead of their purchase. This has become a bit easier in recent years due to telemedicine and virtual visits but it can still take several weeks for an appointment.
From there, you need to purchase the product or service with your regular credit or debit card, and then submit both an itemized receipt and the Letter of Medical Necessity to your HSA or FSA provider to validate the purchase. Then you wait for reimbursement.
Are all shoes HSA/FSA eligible?
No, most shoes are not eligible for HSA or FSA funds. The IRS says that qualified medical expenses “must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness.” While some items may be usable for a medical purpose, they can also be used for general health; these are classified as “dual-purpose” items and are therefore not considered eligible by the IRS.
To be able to use your HSA or FSA for shoes, you’ll need a Letter of Medical Necessity from a healthcare professional that clearly outlines how they will address a specific medical condition, such as orthopedic shoes that allow you to perform therapeutic exercises.
Are running shoes HSA/FSA eligible?
Running shoes may be an eligible expense for your HSA or FSA, if they help to manage or prevent a medical condition. Your doctor will need to “prescribe” the running shoes for you, outlined in a Letter of Medical Necessity, explaining why they are medically necessary and how this particular pair of shoes will manage, mitigate, or treat a specific medical condition (along with explaining demonstrated effectiveness and alternatives that have been explored).
Why it’s so much better with Flex
That’s where Flex can help. If you purchase orthopedic footwear from one of our partners, or through our marketplace, you’ll be able to use your HSA/FSA funds immediately. Let’s go over how it works with our partner, Hyper Arch Motion Sneakers.
Hyper Arch Motion Sneakers: Stylish orthopedic shoes that work
Hyper Arch Motion make orthopedic shoes that combine a patented blend of dual-layer arch support, an air-cushion heel, and sock-like upper to relieve (and possibly prevent) pain caused by injury or podiatric conditions. Their shoes were developed thanks to feedback from over 100,000 women around the world in order to create a highly wearable — and arguably the most stylish on the market — orthopedic.
To buy a pair of their orthopedic shoes select the “Pay with HSA/FSA” option at checkout.
Enter a few details about why the shoes are “medically necessary” (i.e., what type of foot issue or condition you have that the shoes are going to help with).
Simply enter your HSA or FSA card details and complete your transaction.
That’s it! No need to collect receipts or submit for reimbursement.
Ready to Buy Orthopedic Shoes With Your HSA/FSA?
If you have painful feet we know you want to find relief fast. While HSAs and FSAs are a great way to help cover medical expenses like orthopedic footwear, the normal process can have you walking around in circles.
That’s why we started Flex, because we believe that by making healthy habits more accessible we can help people improve their lives. So why wait? Head over to Hyper Arch Motion Sneakers to get yourself a pair now — your feet will thank you!
Finding a pair of orthopedic footwear that you love AND which provides relief from foot pain and posture problems is challenging — but paying for it doesn’t have to be. From cushioned soles to supportive arch insoles, Flex can help you use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) to pay for your new pair of prescribed shoes.
If you need a refresher, your HSA (or employer-provided FSA) is like a bank account for out-of-pocket health care expenses. You can use these funds for many eligible medical expenses — doctor’s visits, prescription medicines, vision care, and even health and wellness products — but it’s important to note that not all healthcare-related costs qualify. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines what has HSA/FSA eligibility, which you can learn more about in our article, What Can You Use HSA and FSA Funds For?
The world of orthopedics can be confusing, and similarly, using your HSA or FSA to pay for them isn’t as straightforward as you’d think. To help you hit the ground running — or walking — we’ll answer some key questions so you can find the best fit for your feet:
What are orthopedic shoes?
Who needs orthopedic shoes (and how it can help on your health journey)?
And, how to use your HSA/FSA to pay for orthopedic shoes
What Are Orthopedic Shoes?
Simply put, orthopedic footwear is specifically-designed with health conditions in mind. These often come in the form of specialty shoes, inserts or heel cups that provide support and relief for people with foot and postural conditions.
The benefits of orthopedic footwear include:
Improve comfort with extra cushioning and shock absorption
Provide arch support
Reduce and/or prevent pain and discomfort
Increase stability
Support healthy posture
Improve the function of the foot
Gait correction
Orthopedic shoes are recommended for people with various foot conditions, including arthritis, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and other maladies. As such, the features of orthopedic footwear go beyond what you’ll find in a standard shoe, typically offering a wider toe box, arch support, and a cradled heel.
They are often prescribed or recommended by healthcare professionals, such as orthopedic doctors or podiatrists, as part of a comprehensive approach to managing foot, leg, and back or posture health, and may be prescribed alongside a fitness or strengthening program.
Who Needs Orthopedic Shoes?
The feet are the foundation of the postural chain — the interconnected system of bones, joints, and muscles that support and maintain the body's posture and alignment. This means that any problems in the feet can potentially affect the alignment and function of the entire body.
Common conditions orthotics are prescribed for
If you’ve had foot pain, an injury, or a gait that causes problems with your postural chain (i.e., your feet aren’t tracking directly forward when you’re walking or running), your doctor may recommend corrective shoes as part of your treatment plan.
Some conditions and concerns you may hear are plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, overpronation or supination, metatarsalgia, high arches, and flat feet or fallen arches. You could also encounter diabetic foot problems (including charcot foot), arthritis, need help with your feet post-surgery or as part of your injury recovery, such as after experiencing a stress fracture.
Painful conditions of the feet can impact anyone of any gender, at any age, so having access to good orthopedic care is essential! These shoes can also be both preventive and an acute treatment, so talk to your doctor about what your personal needs are for your specific health plan.
How to Use Your HSA/FSA to Pay for Orthopedic Shoes
In general, medical expenses that are considered necessary for the treatment, mitigation, or prevention of a specific medical condition are reimbursable with your HSA or FSA. For basic items like prescription glasses, dental checkups, or OTC pain and cold meds, you can simply use your HSA/FSA debit card.
Does an HSA or FSA cover orthopedic footwear products?
Yes, therapeutic orthopedic footwear — such as, inserts, diabetic shoes, and custom orthotics — are eligible for reimbursement with an HSA or FSA. However, you need to take an extra step to make sure you are in compliance.
Some items need to be prescribed by a medical professional in order to qualify for reimbursement, though. And this needs to be communicated to the IRS.
What Is a Letter of Medical Necessity?
For certain HSA or FSA purchases, a healthcare professional must diagnose an individual's medical issues and provide a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN). This is because the IRS sets strict rules for what is considered a qualified medical expense.
A LOMN helps satisfy IRS requirements by providing a detailed explanation about why the item or service is medically necessary.
How do you get a Letter of Medical Necessity?
If a consumer wants to get a Letter of Medical Necessity, they need to schedule time with their healthcare provider (such as a doctor, specialist, or therapist) to discuss the issue ahead of their purchase. This has become a bit easier in recent years due to telemedicine and virtual visits but it can still take several weeks for an appointment.
From there, you need to purchase the product or service with your regular credit or debit card, and then submit both an itemized receipt and the Letter of Medical Necessity to your HSA or FSA provider to validate the purchase. Then you wait for reimbursement.
Are all shoes HSA/FSA eligible?
No, most shoes are not eligible for HSA or FSA funds. The IRS says that qualified medical expenses “must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness.” While some items may be usable for a medical purpose, they can also be used for general health; these are classified as “dual-purpose” items and are therefore not considered eligible by the IRS.
To be able to use your HSA or FSA for shoes, you’ll need a Letter of Medical Necessity from a healthcare professional that clearly outlines how they will address a specific medical condition, such as orthopedic shoes that allow you to perform therapeutic exercises.
Are running shoes HSA/FSA eligible?
Running shoes may be an eligible expense for your HSA or FSA, if they help to manage or prevent a medical condition. Your doctor will need to “prescribe” the running shoes for you, outlined in a Letter of Medical Necessity, explaining why they are medically necessary and how this particular pair of shoes will manage, mitigate, or treat a specific medical condition (along with explaining demonstrated effectiveness and alternatives that have been explored).
Why it’s so much better with Flex
That’s where Flex can help. If you purchase orthopedic footwear from one of our partners, or through our marketplace, you’ll be able to use your HSA/FSA funds immediately. Let’s go over how it works with our partner, Hyper Arch Motion Sneakers.
Hyper Arch Motion Sneakers: Stylish orthopedic shoes that work
Hyper Arch Motion make orthopedic shoes that combine a patented blend of dual-layer arch support, an air-cushion heel, and sock-like upper to relieve (and possibly prevent) pain caused by injury or podiatric conditions. Their shoes were developed thanks to feedback from over 100,000 women around the world in order to create a highly wearable — and arguably the most stylish on the market — orthopedic.
To buy a pair of their orthopedic shoes select the “Pay with HSA/FSA” option at checkout.
Enter a few details about why the shoes are “medically necessary” (i.e., what type of foot issue or condition you have that the shoes are going to help with).
Simply enter your HSA or FSA card details and complete your transaction.
That’s it! No need to collect receipts or submit for reimbursement.
Ready to Buy Orthopedic Shoes With Your HSA/FSA?
If you have painful feet we know you want to find relief fast. While HSAs and FSAs are a great way to help cover medical expenses like orthopedic footwear, the normal process can have you walking around in circles.
That’s why we started Flex, because we believe that by making healthy habits more accessible we can help people improve their lives. So why wait? Head over to Hyper Arch Motion Sneakers to get yourself a pair now — your feet will thank you!
Flex is a modern marketplace for consumers to discover and purchase HSA/FSA eligible 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.