Can I Use My FSA or HSA to Pay for Coaching?

If your employer offers a flexible spending account (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA), you’re likely aware that you can apply the funds to pay for common out-of-pocket healthcare expenses — like copays, prescription medicine, and dental treatment. However, there may be many unique products and services eligible for reimbursement you are not aware of. In addition to covering surprisingly eligible expenses like sunscreen and lip balm, many policies allow you to use those pretax funds to purchase personal training sessions under certain circumstances. Read on to learn more about paying for a personal trainer using your FSA or HSA, and discover whether you might be eligible to have your next personal training session covered.

Talk to your doctor to see if you’re eligible

If you think you have a medical condition that would benefit from a personal training program, talk with your doctor about whether or not it may qualify as eligible. Explain that you have an FSA or HSA and you would like to use your pretax funds towards your fitness program.

If you qualify, your doctor should provide you with a Letter of Medical Necessity. The Letter of Medical Necessity should include the following information:

Patient identification – This includes the patient’s name, date of birth, the policyholder’s name, policy number, and group number.
Date of most recent evaluation – The date the patient was last examined by the treating physician.
Patient’s history and diagnosis – Information on the patient’s specific physical or mental condition or illness, as well as any information about the patient’s history that is relevant to their condition.
Recommended treatment – This should also be described in detail and list any equipment, medication, and therapies required.
Treatment duration – This is the length of treatment required. It should not exceed 12 months.
Summary – This is a brief recap of the physician’s recommendation.
Signature – This includes the treating physician’s signature, license number, contact information, and date of issue.
Supporting literature – Attach any supporting documents, such as supporting lab or test results and progress notes.

Once you are issued a Letter of Medical Necessity, one copy should go on your medical record and another copy sent to your FSA or HSA administrator. Keep a copy of the letter for your own files, too. Then, contact your account administrator to confirm the recommended treatment is eligible for reimbursement.