Hi, I'm Shubhi, one of the co-founders at Burst. Supplements are one of the most-asked-about categories in our LMN application data, so this guide covers the major brands and the underlying IRS rules.

Short answer. Daily multivitamins are the only supplement category the IRS treats as eligible by default. Everything else (AG1, Ritual, Thorne, Momentous, magnesium, fish oil, collagen, creatine, super greens, probiotics, electrolytes) is dual-purpose under Publication 502 and Notices 2006-69 and 2007-2: not eligible on its own, but reimbursable with a Letter of Medical Necessity that names a specific medical context. The LMN bridges "I bought AG1" and "my plan administrator approves the reimbursement." Below is the brand-by-brand fit, what qualifies, what doesn't, and how to write an LMN plan admins approve.

If that already describes you, the request takes about three minutes and you can skip the rest of this guide.

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Why supplements need an LMN

The IRS rule is consistent across supplements: a product that treats, mitigates, or alleviates a specific medical condition is reimbursable when documented. "For general wellness" doesn't qualify. "For documented iron deficiency anemia" or "for managing diagnosed hypertension" or "for IBS-related nutrient malabsorption" does.

Plan administrators (Optum, HealthEquity, Fidelity, HSA Bank, Navia, PayFlex) read these LMNs. The ones they approve name a specific health context and tie the supplement to managing it. Burst's clinicians write LMNs in that exact language, and if our clinician decides a situation doesn't fit, you get a full refund.

Brand-by-brand fit

• AG1 (Athletic Greens). The all-in-one greens powder. Strong fit for nutrient gaps tied to IBS, gut dysbiosis, post-bariatric malabsorption, or restrictive eating contexts.

• Ritual. The transparent multivitamin lineup. Eligible as a multivitamin by default in many cases; LMN strengthens the claim for the prenatal and 50+ lines.

• Thorne. Clinical-grade supplements often used by functional medicine providers. Strong fit when your clinician is already prescribing them as part of a treatment plan.

• Momentous. Performance and recovery supplements. Strong fit for post-surgical recovery, sarcopenia, and protein-deficiency contexts.

• Magnesium (any brand). Strong fit for muscle cramping, restless legs, migraine prevention, and anxiety-related sleep disruption.

• Fish oil and omega-3. Strong fit for hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular risk management, joint inflammation.

• Creatine. Strong fit for sarcopenia, post-surgical strength rebuild, age-related muscle loss.

• Collagen. Strong fit for post-surgical recovery, joint pain, osteoarthritis.

• Probiotics. Strong fit for IBS, post-antibiotic gut dysbiosis, IBD-adjacent contexts.

• Electrolytes (LMNT, Liquid IV, etc.). Strong fit for POTS, dysautonomia, hyperhidrosis, post-surgical hydration management.

• Vitamin D. Strong fit for documented deficiency (very common).

• Iron. Strong fit for documented anemia or heavy menstrual bleeding.

What's eligible by default (no LMN needed)

• Standard daily multivitamins (CVS multivitamin, Centrum, Nature Made multivitamin, etc.)

• Prenatal vitamins for pregnant or trying-to-conceive contexts

• Iron supplements when prescribed for anemia

• Folic acid during pregnancy

Even within these, plan admins sometimes ask for documentation. An LMN turns "sometimes approved" into "reliably approved."

What's not eligible, even with an LMN

• Protein powder for general fitness. Without a documented medical context (post-surgical recovery, sarcopenia, malnutrition), it's a sports nutrition product, not a medical one.

• Pre-workout and energy supplements. Caffeine and stimulant blends for performance aren't medical.

• Branded "wellness" subscription boxes bundled with non-supplement products.

Common reasons people get a supplement LMN

• Iron deficiency anemia

• Vitamin D deficiency

• Magnesium deficiency tied to muscle cramps or migraine

• Hyperlipidemia (omega-3, fish oil)

• IBS or gut dysbiosis (probiotics)

• Post-surgical recovery (collagen, creatine, protein)

• POTS or dysautonomia (electrolytes)

• Pregnancy or postpartum (specialty prenatal supplements)

• Anxiety or insomnia (magnesium glycinate, L-theanine)

Common supplement FSA/HSA pitfalls

• Submitting subscription receipts without an LMN. Recurring supplement subscriptions reimburse on a rolling basis, but the LMN has to be current (12 months typical). Refresh annually.

• Buying through Amazon and submitting an Amazon receipt. Plan admins want the supplement product clearly identified. Buy direct from the brand or use Amazon's itemized receipts.

• Confusing "eligible at FSA Store" with "eligible on plan admin reimbursement." FSA Store carries pre-vetted items; the LMN path is broader.

• Forgetting that the LMN fee itself is FSA/HSA eligible. The Burst LMN can be paid with your FSA/HSA card.

Supplement FSA/HSA FAQ

Is AG1 HSA eligible without an LMN?
AG1 is a greens powder, not a default-eligible product. With an LMN naming the medical context, it reimburses.

Are Thorne supplements covered by HSA?
When your clinician is recommending them as part of a treatment plan, yes. The LMN documents that context.

Is creatine FSA eligible?
With an LMN naming sarcopenia, post-surgical recovery, or age-related muscle loss, yes. Without one, no.

Are probiotics HSA eligible?
With an LMN naming IBS, gut dysbiosis, or IBD-adjacent contexts, yes.

Can I get an LMN for supplements I already bought?
Per IRS guidelines, LMNs must be for purchases made on or after the LMN request date. Going forward (subscriptions, future bottles), the LMN covers them.

Is the LMN fee itself FSA/HSA eligible?
Yes.

Stop paying full price for your supplements

If you're already taking supplements that fit a documented medical context, an LMN turns the spend into pre-tax savings. Around 30%. Get yours from Burst in under 5 minutes.

Request my LMN →

If you're not sure whether your situation fits, hit reply on any Burst email or write to support@getburst.com. We read every email ourselves.

Thanks,
Shubhi
Co-Founder at Burst

For the underlying rules, see IRS Publication 502, IRS Notice 2006-69, and IRS Notice 2007-2.

Last updated: May 2026

This guide is not medical advice. Your eligibility depends on your specific situation and your plan administrator's interpretation of IRS rules. Burst's clinicians make eligibility decisions on a case-by-case basis.