10 Surprising Things You Can Buy With Your HSA

HSA accounts give people the freedom to make empowered choices about their healthcare. The ability to save and use tax-free money to pay for everyday wellness goods and services helps people take a proactive stance on their wellness. 

HSA limits purchases based on eligibility criteria, but many things can become eligible for HSA purchase with a doctor’s permission. You may be surprised by what you can buy with HSA funds.

1. Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a medical necessity, and HSA funds cover sunscreen outright. Sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, which can cause damage and even skin cancer with prolonged unprotected exposure. Wearing sunscreen as directed can reduce your risk of developing melanoma by up to 50%, and it doesn’t take much effort to apply. In many ways, sunscreen is a form of preventative medicine.

If you already have sunburn, you can also use your HSA to buy sunburn relief topical gels and creams. Remember that it’s easier to apply sunscreen than it is to deal with the discomfort of severely sun damaged skin — always opt for the sunscreen first.

2. Skincare Products

Skin is the largest organ of the human body, and it requires just as much care as internal organs. HSA funds may not cover luxury anti-aging skin care products, but it does cover the skin care products that matter most. HSA funds cover over-the-counter skin care products like medicated acne face washes, eczema relief lotion, dandruff shampoo, and chapstick. 

3. Digital Wellness Trackers

Digital wellness tracking devices like bands, pedometers, and bracelets that connect to your smartphone allow you to easily check in with yourself. How is your heart rate throughout the day? Are you getting enough exercise? What’s your sleep quality like? 

A wearable digital wellness tracker will give you all the data you need to make informed decisions about healthy habits. It can also help you find starting points for conversations with your doctor.

Digital wellness trackers aren’t ordinarily covered by HSA funds, but they can be with a Letter of Medical Necessity. If your doctor recommends that you start a comprehensive health and wellness routine, ask your doctor about a Letter of Medical Necessity for a digital wellness tracker. It may be just the tool you need to help you stay on the right path.

4. Bone Broth

HSA funds almost never cover food, but bone broth is an exception. Bone broth is one of the healthiest things you can give your body. It packs a lot of valuable protein into a reasonably low amount of calories, and it contains numerous essential vitamins and minerals. 

The nutritional metrics of bone broth make it equivalent to a nutritional supplement, and that’s where your HSA funds come into play. If your doctor believes that bone broth can help to fill some of the gaps in your diet, you can request a Letter of Medical Necessity and buy some with your HSA.

5. Saunas

The science behind saunas is sound: saunas have clear health benefits. Studies have proven that saunas significantly benefit the cardiovascular system, the immune system, and the circulatory system. Keeping these systems functioning at their highest potential can help to prevent chronic health conditions and reduce the symptoms of many others. That’s why so many gyms and spas offer saunas to their guests.

It’s time to change the way we look at saunas. Many people are starting to use them as a key part of their wellness routine, rather than regarding their health benefits as an occasional luxury or a post-workout treat. If your doctor agrees that a sauna can play an important role in your health routine, you may be able to use HSA funds to purchase a sauna with a Letter of Medical Necessity.

6. Gym Memberships

It’s a well-established fact that exercise is a necessity for human health. It’s also a well-established fact that most people can’t afford to purchase a home gym, and even if they did, they’d have nowhere to put it. One of the easiest ways to work out every muscle group is to alternate your focus on different days at the gym, and you’ll need a gym membership to do that. 

Most doctors would agree that a gym membership can be necessary for your health, especially if you don’t already have an exercise routine that works for you. If you ask your doctor for a Letter of Medical Necessity, your HSA can cover your monthly membership dues.

7. Air Purifiers

Most people don’t realize that the quality of the air you breathe in your home can have a significant impact on your health. If you have allergies, seasonal or otherwise, constantly breathing in air that’s filled with countless allergen particles can take a toll on your respiratory system. An air purifier can help to reduce the amount of free-floating allergens in your home.

Your primary care doctor or your allergist can write you a letter of medical necessity for an air purifier to help take the edge off. You may benefit from having multiple air purifiers in your home. Put one in the room where you sleep and one in the room where you spend the most time during the day for maximum allergen relief.

8. Sleep Quality Trackers

About one-third of all American adults report insufficient sleep. We all need seven to nine hours of sleep a night, and a significant number of people aren’t getting it. There are a number of factors that contribute to sleep quality. If you know you’re getting poor sleep or you aren’t getting enough sleep, a sleep quality tracker can help you get to the root of the issue. 

Talk to your doctor about the quality of your sleep. The data you get from a sleep-tracking device may help you and your doctor find a solution. Your doctor can write you a Letter of Medical Necessity to make a sleep quality tracker more affordable via HSA funds. 

9. Cold Plunges

Cold plunges are a relatively new idea in the wellness world, but the data backs up their effectiveness. A cold plunge is a tub designed for a very quick, very cold bath. It’s a little shocking to the system, but that’s the whole point. A quick plunge can help your body maintain a healthy inflammatory response, circulatory system, metabolism, and mood.

If you’re interested in the benefits of adding cold plunges to your wellness routine, speak to your doctor about it. If your doctor agrees, you may be able to score a Letter of Medical Necessity to make your cold plunge HSA eligible. 

10. Healthy Meal Delivery Services 

Most of us lead very busy lives, which can make eating healthy difficult. When you don’t have time to go to the grocery store, you may rely on fast or processed food to get yourself fed, in bed, and ready for work the next day. That’s why healthy meal delivery services are such a popular solution. Nutritious food that’s already been prepared or is simple to prepare arrives at your doorstep. All you need to do is eat it. 

HSA funds don’t normally cover food, but you may be able to make an exception with a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor. If it’s crucially important that you change your diet and you’re unable to prepare healthy meals for yourself, HSA funds can make healthy meal delivery more affordable. 

How To Use Your HSA

Truemed works with dozens of brands, retailers, and gyms to make goods and services easily accessible to people who want to spend their HSA funds on the things that matter most. View our list of HSA/FSA brands to make wellness purchases from your HSA account. You may need a Letter of Medical Necessity for some purchases.

At Truemed, we’re on a mission to streamline HSAs and make it easy for you to use your funds on items you previously weren’t able to. Just choose “Pay With Truemed” at checkout when you shop with one of our merchants, and enter your payment details. 

You’ll then be asked a few questions about your health circumstances, and we’ll proceed to match you with a provider to determine your eligibility. If you qualify, you’ll receive a Letter of Medical Necessity, which will allow you to use your HSA funds to complete your purchase!

Your HSA Can Cover More Than You Think 

Every choice you make to promote your wellness is a form of proactive healthcare. Your HSA can and should cover most of the things you need to take your health into your own hands, and Truemed can help make this even easier.

Sources:

Sunscreen | The Skin Cancer Foundation

Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits of Sauna Bathing: A Review of the Evidence | Mayo Clinic Proceedings

Clean Air at Home | American Lung Association

Here’s What Happens When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep (and How Much You Really Need a Night) | Cleveland Clinic