Can you buy a treadmill with a health savings account?

Asked by: Dereck Maggio Sr.  |  Last update: October 3, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (62 votes)

A treadmill may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Can I use my FSA to buy a treadmill?

If you have a letter from a medical professional stating that exercise equipment is a medical necessity, your FSA can cover it.

Can a doctor write a prescription for a treadmill?

Cardio Machines: Treadmills, stationary bikes, and ellipticals are often prescribed for cardiovascular and weight management purposes. Strength Training: Resistance bands, free weight, or specific machines such as functional trainer, home gym may be prescribed to help with muscle strengthening or rehabilitation.

Can you buy anything with a health savings account?

Surprise! You can use your HSA to fund big bills, like braces. It can also help cover routine dental needs, like cleanings and fluoride treatments. Your health insurance might not cover a new pair of eyeglasses or your contact lens solution, but those expenses are qualified.

Is a treadmill considered a medical device?

Powered exercise equipment consist of powered devices intended for medical purposes, such as to redevelop muscles or restore motion to joints or for use as an adjunct treatment for obesity. Examples include a powered treadmill, a powered bicycle, and powered parallel bars.

Unlock Savings: How to Use Your HSA/FSA for Fitness Equipment

23 related questions found

Can I use my HSA for a treadmill?

A treadmill may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

How to get a letter of medical necessity for exercise equipment?

Eligibility with Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN): If a doctor prescribes exercise equipment to treat a diagnosed medical condition, you may be able to use FSA funds. To get an LMN, your doctor needs to detail the specific condition and how the equipment will directly aid in its treatment or management.

Can I use HSA for gym membership?

Gym memberships. While some companies and private insurers may offer discounts on gym memberships, you generally can't use your FSA or HSA account to pay for gym or health club memberships. An exception to that rule would be if your doctor deems fitness medically necessary for your recovery or treatment.

What if I accidentally used my HSA card for groceries?

If you catch the transaction early enough, you might even be able to contact the retailer and ask them to reverse the charge and fill it on a new card. If you bought something in person, you can also return it to the store and then buy it again with a different card.

What is the downside of an HSA?

Drawbacks of HSAs include tax penalties for nonmedical expenses before age 65, and contributions made to the HSA within six months of applying for Social Security benefits may be subject to penalties. HSAs have fewer limitations and more tax advantages than flexible spending accounts (FSAs).

Will Medicare cover a treadmill?

Medicare will now cover the cost of treadmill therapy once prescribed and monitored by a medical professional.

Can I write off a walking treadmill?

If your doctor told you to begin walking or jogging on a treadmill to lose weight because obesity is causing you to have health problems, then you may be able to deduct the expense of buying the item. To avoid trouble with the IRS, be sure to acquire the workout recommendation from your doctor in writing.

Does walking on a treadmill count as exercise?

The treadmill is a great way to get in the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Experts say that interval training, in which you alternate between a short bout of high-intensity exercise with a longer bout of lower-intensity exercise, is the best way to improve your cardiovascular health.

Is Planet fitness FSA eligible?

Can you use flexible spending account (FSA) funds to pay for a gym membership or exercise classes? Typically, no. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually doesn't allow funds from an FSA to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms.

What items qualify for FSA purchase?

Categories of FSA-eligible items
  • Home healthcare: Thermometers, pain relief devices, blood pressure monitors, medical alert devices, blood sugar test kits, and more.
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: For cough, cold, allergies, pain relief, and more.

Can I pay for iFIT with HSA?

iFIT and Flex Have Partnered To Provide HSA / FSA Payment Options for Personalized Fitness Products. iFIT, the global leader in connected fitness, is joining with Flex to offer HSA and FSA payment options for its premium fitness products and services.

How does IRS know what you spend HSA on?

Verification of expenses is not required for HSAs. However, total withdrawals from your HSA are reported to the IRS on Form 1099-SA. You are responsible for reporting qualified and non-qualified withdrawals when completing your taxes.

What are the most common mistakes for HSA?

Common HSA mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Using an HSA when you're not eligible. ...
  • Paying for ineligible expenses. ...
  • Contributing too much to your account. ...
  • Paying someone else's medical bills. ...
  • Using all of your funds. ...
  • Using both an HSA and FSA. ...
  • Stay ahead of mistakes with HSA Store.

Can I buy deodorant with HSA?

Deodorant reimbursement is not eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).

Is an Apple Watch HSA eligible?

Even though Fitbits and Apple Watches measure important health data, they currently do not qualify for HSA reimbursement, as they are considered for general health use and not intended to treat or manage a specific medical condition.

Can you use HSA at Planet fitness?

In most cases, gym memberships are not considered eligible medical expenses by the IRS. This means you typically cannot use your HSA funds to pay for a gym membership directly. You might need to explore getting an LMN from your doctor.

Can I use HSA for glasses?

Yes! You can definitely use funds from your flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to purchase prescription glasses. (FSAs and HSAs can be used for many other vision- and eye health-related expenses, too, but we'll discuss that more in a bit.)

Can I use HSA to buy exercise equipment?

The majority of fitness equipment and gym memberships and fitness classes can be covered by your FSA/HSA funds, but you'll need your doctor to fill out a Letter of Medical Necessity to use the funds to purchase them.

What is the best way to prove medical necessity?

How is “medical necessity” determined? A doctor's attestation that a service is medically necessary is an important consideration. Your doctor or other provider may be asked to provide a “Letter of Medical Necessity” to your health plan as part of a “certification” or “utilization review” process.

Are treadmills FSA?

A treadmill may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).