HSA/FSA
Is Protein Powder HSA and FSA Eligible?
Your blender may be ready, but is your HSA or FSA? Learn whether you can bulk up while keeping your wallet slim.
March 15, 2025
Sam O'Keefe
Co-founder & CEO of Flex
Overview
Overview
Overview
Overview
You probably aren’t getting as much protein as you need.
Contrary to what you might think, protein isn’t just for bodybuilders, it’s essential for maintaining muscle mass and overall health — for everyday, regular folks. Getting enough protein is especially important if you’re dieting or on a weight loss program, including semaglutide — which is associated with a significant loss of muscle mass — because when calories drop, your protein needs often go up.
Whether you’re looking to do your best Hulk impression, simply maintain, or keep the muscle you have while dropping fat, you will probably find yourself reaching for protein powders, shakes, or supplements at some point. So can you save big by buying bulk with your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account)?
Let’s weigh in.
Why Might You Need to Take Protein Powder?
Protein is the cornerstone of good nutrition. It’s vital for building and repairing muscles, producing enzymes and hormones, and maintaining overall health. While most of us can meet our protein needs through food, there are situations where supplements are necessary.
Weight loss: When cutting calories, it’s easy to unintentionally reduce your protein intake. Protein shakes can help fill the gap and help your muscles get the amino acids they need.
Aging: Muscle mass naturally declines with age, a condition called sarcopenia. Increasing protein intake can help counteract this.
High physical activity: Athletes and active individuals need more protein to recover from workouts and build muscle.
Medical conditions: Certain health issues, such as malnutrition or recovery from surgery, may increase your protein requirements.
Is Protein Powder HSA or FSA Eligible?
Generally, protein powders, like whey, casein, and collagen, are not HSA/FSA eligible. Similarly, diet foods that include extra protein do not qualify. According to IRS guidelines, diet foods and supplements that fulfill general nutritional needs are not considered qualified medical expenses.
However, if a food is required to treat a specific medical condition — such as gluten-free bread for someone with celiac disease — the additional cost beyond the standard version may be reimbursable.
Why are diet foods, like protein shakes, not HSA-eligible?
Under IRS Code 213(d)(1), medical expenses eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement must meet specific criteria. They must:
Be used for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.
Affect a structure or function of the body.
Protein powders and diet foods are considered general nutritional products, not medical necessities. They’re designed to promote overall health rather than treat a specific medical condition, which, in general, disqualifies them from reimbursement.
When Might Protein Powder Be HSA or FSA Eligible?
There are rare cases where protein powder could potentially qualify for HSA or HSA reimbursement. The key is getting a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) from your healthcare provider. This document must explain why the protein powder is essential for treating a medical condition.
As mentioned before, in the case of celiac disease, gluten-free protein powders might qualify if they’re necessary to avoid adverse symptoms. With malabsorption disorders, patients with conditions that impair nutrient absorption may need protein supplements to maintain their health.
If you believe you’re eligible to buy protein supplements with your HSA/FSA, you should discuss the options closely with both your doctor and your benefits administrator to determine if your specific circumstances qualify.
Would Protein Powder or Protein Shakes Be HSA or FSA-Eligible While Taking Semaglutide?
Weight loss programs and medications like semaglutide, also known as Wegovy, Ozempic, or Rybelsus, can be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement, but only under specific conditions. The program must be prescribed by a physician to treat a diagnosed disease such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease.
Protein powders, on the other hand, remain ineligible unless they are explicitly part of a prescribed treatment plan. For instance, if your doctor prescribes protein supplements to counteract muscle loss while on semaglutide, you might have a case for reimbursement — provided you have a LOMN.
Why might you take protein while on semaglutide?
Semaglutide works by reducing hunger, which naturally leads to eating fewer calories and losing weight. However, this weight loss often includes muscle loss. Research shows that up to one-third of the weight lost on semaglutide is “non-fat mass,” which includes muscle and bone. This applies to both weight loss caused by diets and weight loss surgery
To combat this, you should do two things:
Increase protein intake: Consuming sufficient protein helps preserve lean muscle. The NHS recommends an intake of 0.36 grams of protein per lb of body weight (0.8g/kilogram). However, this is just the minimum recommended intake — you won’t get sick from protein deficiency, but you won’t make any progress with your body composition either. Protein intake calculators are a great tool for estimating your own needs.
Combine with exercise: Resistance training is especially effective at maintaining bone density and building muscle mass during weight loss.
How Flex Can Help You Pay For Protein Powder With Your HSA/FSA
If you’re determined to make protein powder work for your health savings account or flexible spending account, here’s how Flex can help:
Step 1: Add the HSA/FSA-eligible protein powder you want to your cart
Flex partners with well-known fitness and health food brands to streamline the process of paying for HSA/FSA-eligible protein powders.
Step 2: Select “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" at checkout
You can buy these items directly from the company by selecting “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" as your payment option at checkout. You can then use either your HSA/FSA card or pay out-of-pocket with a regular credit or debit card (and receive the required documents to submit for reimbursement via email).
Step 3: Keep Documentation
Keep all documentation, including receipts and the Letter of Medical Necessity (necessary for protein powder eligibility), for tax purposes and to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
Protein Powder and Your HSA/FSA: The Final Scoop
Protein powder may not be the easiest expense to get covered by your HSA or FSA, but it’s not impossible. For most people, though, it will remain a personal expense — and that’s okay. Protein is a worthwhile investment in your health, so don't let confusing regulations deter you from exploring options that can support your journey toward a healthier you!
You probably aren’t getting as much protein as you need.
Contrary to what you might think, protein isn’t just for bodybuilders, it’s essential for maintaining muscle mass and overall health — for everyday, regular folks. Getting enough protein is especially important if you’re dieting or on a weight loss program, including semaglutide — which is associated with a significant loss of muscle mass — because when calories drop, your protein needs often go up.
Whether you’re looking to do your best Hulk impression, simply maintain, or keep the muscle you have while dropping fat, you will probably find yourself reaching for protein powders, shakes, or supplements at some point. So can you save big by buying bulk with your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account)?
Let’s weigh in.
Why Might You Need to Take Protein Powder?
Protein is the cornerstone of good nutrition. It’s vital for building and repairing muscles, producing enzymes and hormones, and maintaining overall health. While most of us can meet our protein needs through food, there are situations where supplements are necessary.
Weight loss: When cutting calories, it’s easy to unintentionally reduce your protein intake. Protein shakes can help fill the gap and help your muscles get the amino acids they need.
Aging: Muscle mass naturally declines with age, a condition called sarcopenia. Increasing protein intake can help counteract this.
High physical activity: Athletes and active individuals need more protein to recover from workouts and build muscle.
Medical conditions: Certain health issues, such as malnutrition or recovery from surgery, may increase your protein requirements.
Is Protein Powder HSA or FSA Eligible?
Generally, protein powders, like whey, casein, and collagen, are not HSA/FSA eligible. Similarly, diet foods that include extra protein do not qualify. According to IRS guidelines, diet foods and supplements that fulfill general nutritional needs are not considered qualified medical expenses.
However, if a food is required to treat a specific medical condition — such as gluten-free bread for someone with celiac disease — the additional cost beyond the standard version may be reimbursable.
Why are diet foods, like protein shakes, not HSA-eligible?
Under IRS Code 213(d)(1), medical expenses eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement must meet specific criteria. They must:
Be used for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.
Affect a structure or function of the body.
Protein powders and diet foods are considered general nutritional products, not medical necessities. They’re designed to promote overall health rather than treat a specific medical condition, which, in general, disqualifies them from reimbursement.
When Might Protein Powder Be HSA or FSA Eligible?
There are rare cases where protein powder could potentially qualify for HSA or HSA reimbursement. The key is getting a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) from your healthcare provider. This document must explain why the protein powder is essential for treating a medical condition.
As mentioned before, in the case of celiac disease, gluten-free protein powders might qualify if they’re necessary to avoid adverse symptoms. With malabsorption disorders, patients with conditions that impair nutrient absorption may need protein supplements to maintain their health.
If you believe you’re eligible to buy protein supplements with your HSA/FSA, you should discuss the options closely with both your doctor and your benefits administrator to determine if your specific circumstances qualify.
Would Protein Powder or Protein Shakes Be HSA or FSA-Eligible While Taking Semaglutide?
Weight loss programs and medications like semaglutide, also known as Wegovy, Ozempic, or Rybelsus, can be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement, but only under specific conditions. The program must be prescribed by a physician to treat a diagnosed disease such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease.
Protein powders, on the other hand, remain ineligible unless they are explicitly part of a prescribed treatment plan. For instance, if your doctor prescribes protein supplements to counteract muscle loss while on semaglutide, you might have a case for reimbursement — provided you have a LOMN.
Why might you take protein while on semaglutide?
Semaglutide works by reducing hunger, which naturally leads to eating fewer calories and losing weight. However, this weight loss often includes muscle loss. Research shows that up to one-third of the weight lost on semaglutide is “non-fat mass,” which includes muscle and bone. This applies to both weight loss caused by diets and weight loss surgery
To combat this, you should do two things:
Increase protein intake: Consuming sufficient protein helps preserve lean muscle. The NHS recommends an intake of 0.36 grams of protein per lb of body weight (0.8g/kilogram). However, this is just the minimum recommended intake — you won’t get sick from protein deficiency, but you won’t make any progress with your body composition either. Protein intake calculators are a great tool for estimating your own needs.
Combine with exercise: Resistance training is especially effective at maintaining bone density and building muscle mass during weight loss.
How Flex Can Help You Pay For Protein Powder With Your HSA/FSA
If you’re determined to make protein powder work for your health savings account or flexible spending account, here’s how Flex can help:
Step 1: Add the HSA/FSA-eligible protein powder you want to your cart
Flex partners with well-known fitness and health food brands to streamline the process of paying for HSA/FSA-eligible protein powders.
Step 2: Select “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" at checkout
You can buy these items directly from the company by selecting “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" as your payment option at checkout. You can then use either your HSA/FSA card or pay out-of-pocket with a regular credit or debit card (and receive the required documents to submit for reimbursement via email).
Step 3: Keep Documentation
Keep all documentation, including receipts and the Letter of Medical Necessity (necessary for protein powder eligibility), for tax purposes and to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
Protein Powder and Your HSA/FSA: The Final Scoop
Protein powder may not be the easiest expense to get covered by your HSA or FSA, but it’s not impossible. For most people, though, it will remain a personal expense — and that’s okay. Protein is a worthwhile investment in your health, so don't let confusing regulations deter you from exploring options that can support your journey toward a healthier you!
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.