HSA/FSA
Sweat Smarter: Are Saunas HSA or FSA Eligible?
Hot tip: You may be able to save money on your next sauna visit.
September 3, 2024
Sam O'Keefe
Co-founder & CEO of Flex
Overview
Overview
Overview
Every culture has enjoyed its own form of sweat bathing, which means sauna is one of the few things in the world that can unite us all.
Frankly, it’s hard not to bask in a steam sesh or dry sweat given the health benefits, including improved circulation, reduced risk of cardiovascular health, and, of course, relaxation.
What is a Sauna?
A sauna is any small room or enclosure designed to be heated to high temperatures, typically between 150°F and 195°F, where people can sit and relax while sweating. Saunas are believed to promote health and wellness by improving circulation and reducing stress.
What are the different kinds of saunas?
Saunas come in various forms, each offering a unique experience and set of benefits depending on how the heat is generated.
Dry sauna: A classic for a reason, this type uses heated rocks or a heater to warm the air creating an intense, dry heat.
Turkish sauna/steam bath: Unlike dry saunas, Turkish saunas, also known as steam baths, produce a moist heat with humidity levels near 100%. The lower temperature and high humidity create a steamy environment that's gentler on the skin and body (it both increases sweating and hydrates the skin as well as the respiratory system).
Infrared sauna: Infrared saunas use infrared lamps to warm your body directly. The electromagnetic radiation can easily penetrate human tissue thus heating up your muscles without also heating the air around you. The result is that this type of sauna is often cooler than traditional saunas.
Hybrid sauna: Hybrid saunas combine the features of both dry and infrared saunas, offering users the choice between the intense, dry heat of a traditional sauna and the milder, radiant warmth of infrared light.
At-home sauna options
Want the benefits of a sauna at home, but can’t fit or afford a full-sized option? There are several at-home possibilities that can net you similar benefits.
Portable sauna: Compact, foldable structures that allow you to experience sauna benefits at home without needing a permanent installation.
Sauna blanket: These thermal blankets mimic the sauna experience by wrapping your body in heat, which encourages sweating.
What Are the Health Benefits of Sauna?
Saunas have been studied for various health benefits:
Improving cardiovascular health: The physiological responses produced by a sauna bath correspond to those produced by moderate- or high-intensity physical activity which can reduce the risks of certain vascular diseases.
Enhancing lung function: Sauna bathing improves lung function by improving capacity and volume, ventilation, and forced expiratory volume.
Lower blood pressure (in conjunction with exercise): As noted above, sauna on its own can stimulate physiological responses comparable to exercise, but when combined with exercise it can further improve cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce blood pressure and total cholesterol levels.
Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease: This long-term study found that elderly participants experienced a strong reduction in risk for fatal cardiovascular disease events.
It’s not all about the long-term benefits: some studies have found that regular sauna use can be beneficial for colds, by likely reducing the incidence of common colds, though it doesn’t reduce the duration or severity if you already have one.
What Happens to the Body in a Sauna?
Sauna sessions cause significant changes in the body, primarily through heat exposure and the resulting sweat, which can lead to detoxification, improved circulation, and other physiological benefits.
How hot are saunas?
Saunas can reach temperatures between 150°F and 195°F, depending on the type. Most saunas allow you to moderate the temperature, either through electronics or the old-fashioned way of adding water to the sauna stones.
Fun fact: there is actually a World Sauna Championship held in Heinola, Finland, every year, where 6 men and women compete to see who can stay in a sauna the longest. The starting temperature in the men’s competition is an insane 230°F!
Risks of Sauna Use
While saunas have many health benefits, they also come with potential risks, particularly for those who are not properly hydrated or who have certain medical conditions.
Signs of dehydration
It's essential to recognize the signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, dry mouth, or dark urine, and exit the sauna immediately if you experience them. Overheating and dehydration are risks associated with prolonged sauna use.
Who should avoid the sauna?
Saunas offer many benefits, but they aren't suitable for everyone. Pregnant women, people with certain heart conditions, or those with respiratory issues should consult a doctor before using a sauna. If you have any underlying health conditions, it's always best to get medical advice first.
Is a Sauna HSA/FSA Eligible?
When it comes to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), the eligibility of a sauna is a gray area.
Generally, saunas are not HSA/FSA eligible as they are considered wellness or luxury items rather than medical necessities. No need to despair, though — there are exceptions.
If you have a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) from your doctor stating that a sauna is required to treat a specific medical condition, you might be able to use your HSA/FSA funds.
Just be mindful that when it comes to products or services that can also be used for general health purposes, you have to be clear about the medical condition you are using it for and why it is needed compared to alternatives, otherwise your LOMN may be denied or potentially you may be audited by the IRS.
A quick refresher of HSAs/FSAs
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are great tools for managing healthcare costs. They allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses, typically allowing you to save 30-40% because of tax savings.
Qualified medical expenses
HSAs and FSAs are designed to be used for qualified medical expenses which the IRS stipulates “must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness” and includes costs associated with diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention. In Publication 502 (the link above) you will find a comprehensive list of approved items.
However, you can also pay for items that aren’t pre-approved if you receive a Letter of Medical Necessity from a healthcare professional. Either way, keep receipts handy for documentation.
What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?
A Letter of Medical Necessity, or LOMN, is like a doctor’s note that allows doctors to make determinations on behalf of patients, to qualify certain purchases for HSA or FSA spending. The LOMN must outline why a specific purchase is medically necessary for an individual and how it addresses a specific condition.
What are some specific conditions a sauna may help address?
Saunas may help alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis, chronic pain, and respiratory issues. With a doctor’s recommendation, an infrared sauna or sauna blanket might be considered eligible if it’s used to treat a specific medical condition.
Are infrared saunas HSA eligible?
If prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition, an infrared sauna could potentially be HSA-eligible.
What about paying for a visit to a sauna with your HSA/FSA?
Using HSA/FSA funds for a sauna visit typically isn't allowed unless it's medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor.
How Flex Can Help You Pay for a Sauna With Your HSA/FSA
Since most saunas fall outside of the definition of a medical expense as outlined by the IRS, to potentially qualify to use your HSA or FSA you will need a LOMN.
Flex partners with merchants to enable customers to pay with their HSA/FSA card during checkout should they qualify based on a medical assessment.
Here’s how it works:
Select the “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" option on the payment page. Complete the following steps to pay with your HSA or FSA debit card:
Fill out a short eligibility form, sharing relevant information with Flex’s medical team.
If you qualify, Flex sends the LOMN to you via email.
Then, simply enter your HSA or FSA card details and complete the purchase.
Don’t sweat the typically laborious process of getting a LOMN — Flex makes it fast and simple to apply!
How it typically works to pay for sauna with your HSA/FSA
If you want to purchase from a company not partnered with Flex and you require a LOMN, you’ll first need to obtain one from your doctor or appropriate healthcare provider.
From there, you will have to pay out-of-pocket first and submit a claim for reimbursement. Be sure to include your receipt and the letter of medical necessity when filing the claim. As always, keep all documentation for tax purposes and to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
No Sweat: Save on Saunas with your HSA or FSA
There’s a reason there are almost 2 million saunas for a population of 5 million people in Finland, one of the birthplaces of sauna. Not only do they feel great, but research suggests a range of health benefits.
If you’re ready to steep in the sweat, consider talking with your doctor about using a sauna to treat your medical condition, and use your HSA or FSA to save a little salt too.
Every culture has enjoyed its own form of sweat bathing, which means sauna is one of the few things in the world that can unite us all.
Frankly, it’s hard not to bask in a steam sesh or dry sweat given the health benefits, including improved circulation, reduced risk of cardiovascular health, and, of course, relaxation.
What is a Sauna?
A sauna is any small room or enclosure designed to be heated to high temperatures, typically between 150°F and 195°F, where people can sit and relax while sweating. Saunas are believed to promote health and wellness by improving circulation and reducing stress.
What are the different kinds of saunas?
Saunas come in various forms, each offering a unique experience and set of benefits depending on how the heat is generated.
Dry sauna: A classic for a reason, this type uses heated rocks or a heater to warm the air creating an intense, dry heat.
Turkish sauna/steam bath: Unlike dry saunas, Turkish saunas, also known as steam baths, produce a moist heat with humidity levels near 100%. The lower temperature and high humidity create a steamy environment that's gentler on the skin and body (it both increases sweating and hydrates the skin as well as the respiratory system).
Infrared sauna: Infrared saunas use infrared lamps to warm your body directly. The electromagnetic radiation can easily penetrate human tissue thus heating up your muscles without also heating the air around you. The result is that this type of sauna is often cooler than traditional saunas.
Hybrid sauna: Hybrid saunas combine the features of both dry and infrared saunas, offering users the choice between the intense, dry heat of a traditional sauna and the milder, radiant warmth of infrared light.
At-home sauna options
Want the benefits of a sauna at home, but can’t fit or afford a full-sized option? There are several at-home possibilities that can net you similar benefits.
Portable sauna: Compact, foldable structures that allow you to experience sauna benefits at home without needing a permanent installation.
Sauna blanket: These thermal blankets mimic the sauna experience by wrapping your body in heat, which encourages sweating.
What Are the Health Benefits of Sauna?
Saunas have been studied for various health benefits:
Improving cardiovascular health: The physiological responses produced by a sauna bath correspond to those produced by moderate- or high-intensity physical activity which can reduce the risks of certain vascular diseases.
Enhancing lung function: Sauna bathing improves lung function by improving capacity and volume, ventilation, and forced expiratory volume.
Lower blood pressure (in conjunction with exercise): As noted above, sauna on its own can stimulate physiological responses comparable to exercise, but when combined with exercise it can further improve cardiorespiratory fitness and reduce blood pressure and total cholesterol levels.
Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease: This long-term study found that elderly participants experienced a strong reduction in risk for fatal cardiovascular disease events.
It’s not all about the long-term benefits: some studies have found that regular sauna use can be beneficial for colds, by likely reducing the incidence of common colds, though it doesn’t reduce the duration or severity if you already have one.
What Happens to the Body in a Sauna?
Sauna sessions cause significant changes in the body, primarily through heat exposure and the resulting sweat, which can lead to detoxification, improved circulation, and other physiological benefits.
How hot are saunas?
Saunas can reach temperatures between 150°F and 195°F, depending on the type. Most saunas allow you to moderate the temperature, either through electronics or the old-fashioned way of adding water to the sauna stones.
Fun fact: there is actually a World Sauna Championship held in Heinola, Finland, every year, where 6 men and women compete to see who can stay in a sauna the longest. The starting temperature in the men’s competition is an insane 230°F!
Risks of Sauna Use
While saunas have many health benefits, they also come with potential risks, particularly for those who are not properly hydrated or who have certain medical conditions.
Signs of dehydration
It's essential to recognize the signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, dry mouth, or dark urine, and exit the sauna immediately if you experience them. Overheating and dehydration are risks associated with prolonged sauna use.
Who should avoid the sauna?
Saunas offer many benefits, but they aren't suitable for everyone. Pregnant women, people with certain heart conditions, or those with respiratory issues should consult a doctor before using a sauna. If you have any underlying health conditions, it's always best to get medical advice first.
Is a Sauna HSA/FSA Eligible?
When it comes to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), the eligibility of a sauna is a gray area.
Generally, saunas are not HSA/FSA eligible as they are considered wellness or luxury items rather than medical necessities. No need to despair, though — there are exceptions.
If you have a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) from your doctor stating that a sauna is required to treat a specific medical condition, you might be able to use your HSA/FSA funds.
Just be mindful that when it comes to products or services that can also be used for general health purposes, you have to be clear about the medical condition you are using it for and why it is needed compared to alternatives, otherwise your LOMN may be denied or potentially you may be audited by the IRS.
A quick refresher of HSAs/FSAs
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are great tools for managing healthcare costs. They allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses, typically allowing you to save 30-40% because of tax savings.
Qualified medical expenses
HSAs and FSAs are designed to be used for qualified medical expenses which the IRS stipulates “must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness” and includes costs associated with diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention. In Publication 502 (the link above) you will find a comprehensive list of approved items.
However, you can also pay for items that aren’t pre-approved if you receive a Letter of Medical Necessity from a healthcare professional. Either way, keep receipts handy for documentation.
What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?
A Letter of Medical Necessity, or LOMN, is like a doctor’s note that allows doctors to make determinations on behalf of patients, to qualify certain purchases for HSA or FSA spending. The LOMN must outline why a specific purchase is medically necessary for an individual and how it addresses a specific condition.
What are some specific conditions a sauna may help address?
Saunas may help alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis, chronic pain, and respiratory issues. With a doctor’s recommendation, an infrared sauna or sauna blanket might be considered eligible if it’s used to treat a specific medical condition.
Are infrared saunas HSA eligible?
If prescribed by a doctor for a specific medical condition, an infrared sauna could potentially be HSA-eligible.
What about paying for a visit to a sauna with your HSA/FSA?
Using HSA/FSA funds for a sauna visit typically isn't allowed unless it's medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor.
How Flex Can Help You Pay for a Sauna With Your HSA/FSA
Since most saunas fall outside of the definition of a medical expense as outlined by the IRS, to potentially qualify to use your HSA or FSA you will need a LOMN.
Flex partners with merchants to enable customers to pay with their HSA/FSA card during checkout should they qualify based on a medical assessment.
Here’s how it works:
Select the “Flex | Pay with HSA/FSA" option on the payment page. Complete the following steps to pay with your HSA or FSA debit card:
Fill out a short eligibility form, sharing relevant information with Flex’s medical team.
If you qualify, Flex sends the LOMN to you via email.
Then, simply enter your HSA or FSA card details and complete the purchase.
Don’t sweat the typically laborious process of getting a LOMN — Flex makes it fast and simple to apply!
How it typically works to pay for sauna with your HSA/FSA
If you want to purchase from a company not partnered with Flex and you require a LOMN, you’ll first need to obtain one from your doctor or appropriate healthcare provider.
From there, you will have to pay out-of-pocket first and submit a claim for reimbursement. Be sure to include your receipt and the letter of medical necessity when filing the claim. As always, keep all documentation for tax purposes and to ensure compliance with IRS regulations.
No Sweat: Save on Saunas with your HSA or FSA
There’s a reason there are almost 2 million saunas for a population of 5 million people in Finland, one of the birthplaces of sauna. Not only do they feel great, but research suggests a range of health benefits.
If you’re ready to steep in the sweat, consider talking with your doctor about using a sauna to treat your medical condition, and use your HSA or FSA to save a little salt too.
Common Questions About Red Light Therapy
Can red light therapy damage skin?
When used properly, red light therapy is unlikely to damage your skin. The lower wavelengths it operates on make it minimally-invasive and typically well-tolerated.
Can red light therapy damage skin?
When used properly, red light therapy is unlikely to damage your skin. The lower wavelengths it operates on make it minimally-invasive and typically well-tolerated.
Can red light therapy damage skin?
When used properly, red light therapy is unlikely to damage your skin. The lower wavelengths it operates on make it minimally-invasive and typically well-tolerated.
Can you do red light therapy every day?
While some people use it daily, you should follow recommended guidelines for your specific device or goal to avoid overexposure.
Can you do red light therapy every day?
While some people use it daily, you should follow recommended guidelines for your specific device or goal to avoid overexposure.
Can you do red light therapy every day?
While some people use it daily, you should follow recommended guidelines for your specific device or goal to avoid overexposure.
How often should you use red light therapy on your face?
Depending on the device and your skin type, 2-3 times per week is a common recommendation for facial treatments.
How often should you use red light therapy on your face?
Depending on the device and your skin type, 2-3 times per week is a common recommendation for facial treatments.
How often should you use red light therapy on your face?
Depending on the device and your skin type, 2-3 times per week is a common recommendation for facial treatments.
How long does red light therapy take to work? How many treatments will I need?
The short answer is results vary by individual and condition.
How long does red light therapy take to work? How many treatments will I need?
The short answer is results vary by individual and condition.
How long does red light therapy take to work? How many treatments will I need?
The short answer is results vary by individual and condition.
Who should not use red light therapy?
People taking medications that increase sensitivity to light should avoid red light therapy, as it could exacerbate side effects.
Who should not use red light therapy?
People taking medications that increase sensitivity to light should avoid red light therapy, as it could exacerbate side effects.
Who should not use red light therapy?
People taking medications that increase sensitivity to light should avoid red light therapy, as it could exacerbate side effects.
Is red light therapy FDA-approved?
Some red light therapy devices have been cleared by the FDA for specific uses, primarily for treating minor pain and hair growth.
Is red light therapy FDA-approved?
Some red light therapy devices have been cleared by the FDA for specific uses, primarily for treating minor pain and hair growth.
Is red light therapy FDA-approved?
Some red light therapy devices have been cleared by the FDA for specific uses, primarily for treating minor pain and hair growth.
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.