Health Institute Fees: FSA Eligibility

What are health institute fees?

Health institute fees are the expenses associated with attending health-related courses, retreats, workshops, room & board, wellness coaching, and more. Health institute fees typically represent a range of offerings for the purpose of general health, and concern activities that aren't medically necessary or prescribed in order to diagnose, treat, or alleviate a medical condition, injury or disease. Health institute fees are generally categorized under "wellness" and similar health-related goals that may include expenses such as accommodations in a specialized facility, meals, etc.

Health institutes go by many names including clinics, retreats, workshops, institutes, campuses, etc. but always are classified by the services they offer which do not typically diagnose, treat or alleviate a medical condition or disease. If there is a service which does directly treat, diagnose or alleviate a medical condition or disease, and it is prescribed, then it may be eligible for reimbursement with a consumer-directed healthcare plan and with appropriate documentation. It is possible, though unlikely, that this service would be prescribed to be performed at a health institute and covered by health institute fees.

Specific examples of offerings covered by health institute fees include physical activity classes, resiliency classes, nutrition classes, and wellness assessments. Physical activity classes can be anything from movement workshops, to yoga, Pilates, etc. Resiliency classes might include mindfulness, meditation, relaxation workshops, etc. Nutrition classes might include cooking classes, mindful eating workshops, diet education, etc.