What Platform Offers Telehealth Services for Eligibility Checks Before Using My HSA or FSA?

Some platforms can offer a telehealth-style clinical review to provide support documentation, like a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN), for certain HSA or FSA purchases. But these reviews do not guarantee eligibility, and they cannot pre-approve your reimbursement or override plan rules. How you can use HSA/FSA funds depends on the product, medical necessity, your plan’s rules, and your plan administrator’s final reimbursement decision. Here’s what “eligibility” means, what to look for in a telehealth platform, and how Truemed fits in.

An “eligibility check” refers to verifying whether an item or service is eligible for purchase with your HSA or FSA funds, under the IRS rules for a qualified medical expense.

There are two layers to “eligibility.” First, there is the clinical justification or medical need for the item or service, often supported by documentation, like an LMN or prescription. Then, there’s your plan. Ultimately, your plan’s reimbursement decision determines whether an item is eligible. For some medical items, eligibility is straightforward. However, you may need documented justification from your health provider for other specialized or general-use items.

If you have an HSA/FSA card, just because it clears at checkout doesn’t mean the item is automatically eligible. The real eligibility check is whether your plan administrator would approve a reimbursement claim. Have supporting documentation ready, if relevant, to avoid paying any taxes or penalties on an eligible purchase.

Telehealth-style screening can reduce ambiguity with what’s considered eligible and fill any documentation gaps, like with an LMN. While an online clinician consultation via a telemedicine app can support documentation requirements for eligibility, plan administrators ultimately control reimbursement outcomes.

There are two common paths to use HSA/FSA funds. You can pay with an HSA/FSA debit card, under which your HSA or FSA plan rules apply. Or you can pay out of pocket and file a claim for reimbursement later, which often requires itemized receipts and, for some items, additional substantiation.

Telehealth eligibility checks are most relevant for health items that may require documentation, like an LMN, to determine eligibility. For example, when you shop the Truemed marketplace for potentially eligible items, you’ll be able to fill out an intake survey at checkout to determine whether you qualify to get an LMN or prescription for your purchase. Potentially eligible items include vitamins and supplements, massage therapy equipment, and specialized sleep support products, like mattresses or pillows.

Make the purchasing process as smooth as possible by separating mixed carts with HSA/FSA eligible and ineligible/miscellaneous items, and always save an itemized receipt, product details, purchase date, total paid, and any supporting documentation for your records.

Here’s a checklist that helps you find the best online clinician app that offers telehealth-led documentation:

• The platform works with licensed practitioners (and this can be verified with credentials).
• Uses a structured clinical intake flow that reflects medical need (i.e., doesn’t focus on general wellness or asks you to fill out a vague questionnaire).
• You will receive the proper documentation if appropriate, and they offer a clear explanation of what it covers and how long it applies.
• The platform works with retailers or brands so users can purchase potentially HSA/FSA eligible items from them directly (this integration can make for a smoother experience).
• The platform is transparent about limitations and doesn’t make any sweeping guarantees about eligibility, which ultimately comes down to a plan’s rules.
• The platform is also transparent about policies around subscriptions, renewals, refunds, and exchanges, and has a form of customer support in case you need assistance.
• For integrated platforms, they offer detailed and accurate receipts or itemized invoices that match what you actually paid (especially after discounts) to successfully submit reimbursement claims.

There are specialized telehealth platforms and virtual consultation apps that advise about HSA/FSA eligibility before purchase, notably for items or services that require LMNs.

However, those are different from the many telehealth apps that focus on care, not on purchase eligibility documentation. Telehealth for care is about treatment, whereas documentation platforms are about substantiation for specific purchases. Paying for a telehealth visit itself may be an HSA/FSA eligible expense under many plans, but product eligibility and reimbursement terms may still vary based on medical need.

Truemed* partners with brands and telehealth providers to facilitate the process of obtaining an LMN where appropriate to support HSA/FSA purchases.

*Truemed is for qualified customers. See terms at truemed.com/disclosures.

Telehealth platforms can help you obtain documentation for an LMN, where appropriate, so you may be able to use HSA or FSA funds to purchase an item. But no platform can pre-approve a purchase for reimbursement. Ultimately, whether you can use HSA/FSA funds will depend on the product, medical need, your plan, and your plan administrator’s final reimbursement decision.

Keep documentation aligned to the amount paid, especially for discounts. Reconcile all returns or exchanges with your records. Always keep itemized receipts that list the purchase date, merchant, product name, and cost.

Don’t submit the same expense for reimbursement under your normal health insurance and under your HSA/FSA. Remember that an item’s eligibility is always contingent on your plan policy, not a clinician from a telehealth appointment. Plan administrators make final decisions on reimbursement and may request additional substantiation.

Truemed supports qualified, potentially eligible customers who may be able to use HSA or FSA funds for certain purchases, depending on medical need and plan rules. With Truemed, complete a clinical intake form at checkout, which is then reviewed by an independent licensed practitioner who may issue an LMN when appropriate.

Trumed provides documentation support and clear guidance on what to save and submit for reimbursement. Truemed cannot guarantee reimbursement or override plan administrator decisions. Save your LMN and itemized receipts for your records. Always check and follow your plan’s submission requirements.