What weight loss items and services are covered by my FSA?
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) ease the burden on employers to reduce healthcare costs and put more power in the hands of employees to cover a huge range of medical products and services. As a rule, weight loss products and services generally aren't covered by FSAs, unless used to treat a specific medical condition. In most cases, weight loss services are considered “general health" and not FSA eligible. However, if you have a Letter of Medical Necessity from a doctor, you can be reimbursed for weight loss products and services, if they are a part of your treatment plan going forward.
How can my Flex Spending Account assist my weight loss plan?
While weight loss aides, gym memberships, diet foods and other fitness-related products and services aren't directly covered by your FSA, there are a number of items that can help you stick to your fitness plan and increase your chances of success.
Here are a few ways get in the swing of a healthy lifestyle with FSA eligible products:
1. Athletic Treatments
- Sprained ankles, sore muscles and other minor injuries can happen when you jump into a new fitness regimen, and they can derail your exercise goals. Elastic bandages, knee/ankle braces, kinesiology tape, and abdominal/ rib supports are FSA eligible and can help you stick to your daily fitness goals.
2. Foot Care
- Your feet will be under plenty of additional stress as you become more physically active, so to avoid common foot conditions like plantar fasciitis and strains, use your FSA to pick up qualifying foot cushioning treatments and insoles.
3. Hot and Cold Packs
- Soreness is common when you first jump into a gym regimen, and you can help avoid this by utilizing hot and cold therapy during your post-workout cool down. Heat therapy is typically used on chronic injuries, while cold therapy is used for immediate sprains and tears. To speed recovery times, you can used both in conjunction with one another in a process called contrast therapy. This dilates blood vessels with heat to deliver oxygenated blood to the affected area, while alternating with cold packs can control inflammation and reduce pain. While your FSA won't cover a gym membership or healthier food, it can dramatically improve your chances of realizing your fitness goals. When you're ready to jump into your new healthy lifestyle, be sure to visit FSAstore.com to explore our huge selection of qualifying medical products to realize the true potential of your benefit!