Are Vitamins and Supplements FSA or HSA Eligible?

Short answer

Vitamins and supplements are reimbursable with a letter of medical necessity when a clinician ties them to a condition. This applies to all vitamins, supplements, protein powders, probiotics, collagen and similar products.

The key is the medical purpose. A clinician has to name a condition and explain how the vitamin or supplement treats it. If the purpose is general health with no condition, it's not reimbursable. Request your letter before you buy, since it has to exist before the purchase.

The short answer on vitamins and supplements

The IRS states that "you can't include in medical expenses the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, "natural medicines," etc." unless they're recommended by a practitioner as treatment for a specific condition. Vitamins with a diagnosed medical purpose are reimbursable with a letter.

Vitamins, supplements and when you need a letter

The reimbursement status of a vitamin or supplement depends entirely on whether a clinician can tie it to a medical condition.

Multivitamin (prescribed for a diagnosed nutrient deficiency)

With a letter

Vitamin D (for general wellness)

Not reimbursable

Vitamin D (for diagnosed deficiency or bone health condition)

With a letter

Protein powder or protein supplement (for general fitness)

Not reimbursable

Protein powder (prescribed after surgery or for muscle-wasting condition)

With a letter

Probiotics (for general digestion)

Not reimbursable

Probiotics (for diagnosed IBS or digestive disorder)

With a letter

Collagen (for general skin or joint health)

Not reimbursable

Collagen (for diagnosed osteoarthritis or joint condition)

With a letter

Creatine (for athletic performance)

Not reimbursable

Creatine (for diagnosed muscle disorder)

With a letter

When a letter makes a vitamin or supplement reimbursable

A clinician has to diagnose a specific medical condition and explain in writing how the vitamin or supplement treats it. The rule is that they must be "recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition" to qualify. Common examples include a nutrient deficiency, bone health condition, digestive disorder, muscle loss after surgery or illness, or a chronic condition that affects nutrient absorption. The clinician doesn't need to prescribe the supplement in the traditional sense. They just need to confirm that it's medically necessary treatment for your condition.

General wellness purposes like anti-aging, energy, immunity boosting or athletic performance don't qualify for reimbursement. The clinician can only write a letter when there's a real medical condition behind the recommendation.

How to get reimbursed for vitamins or supplements

Request your letter before you buy. The letter must exist before your purchase so your administrator approves the claim. Work with a clinician such as your doctor, nurse practitioner, or registered dietitian who can diagnose the condition and write the medical necessity letter.

Once you have the letter, buy your vitamin or supplement with any card at any store or online retailer. Burst files the reimbursement claim with your FSA, HSA or HRA administrator, and the administrator pays you out of your account by deposit or check. You never submit the letter yourself.

Related vitamins and supplements

The same letter requirement applies to all nutritional supplements and herbal products under the same IRS rule: they must be "recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition". Examples include biotin, magnesium, iron, calcium, fish oil, turmeric, ashwagandha and other herbal supplements. The deciding factor is always whether a clinician can tie the purchase to a condition.

Getting vitamins or supplements reimbursed with Burst

Get the letter first, then buy anywhere with any card.

Money in your FSA or HSA was never taxed. Say you spend $30 a month on vitamins, so $360 a year. Pay for it from your FSA/HSA instead of your checking account and you keep about $110 that would have gone to taxes. The letter costs $35 once. You come out about $75 ahead. The exact figure depends on your tax bracket.

Here is what you get for the $35. You shop anywhere and pay the way you already pay. A licensed clinician reviews your request and you have your letter within 24 hours, or within 2 hours with expedited review ($10 more, weekdays 8am to 8pm ET). Burst files the claim. The money comes back to your bank account. If the claim is denied, Burst writes the appeal and refunds you. You pay $35, once.

The letter ties the vitamins to something you're managing, like recovery after surgery or IBS. You don't need a diagnosis in hand. The clinician reviewing your request decides what fits your situation.

Get reimbursed for my vitamins

Frequently asked questions

Are multivitamins FSA or HSA eligible?

Multivitamins are reimbursable with a letter of medical necessity from a clinician tying them to a diagnosed nutrient deficiency or health condition. A general health multivitamin needs this letter to be eligible.

What vitamin and supplement items are FSA eligible?

Any vitamin or supplement can be reimbursable with a letter when a clinician ties it to a condition. The letter requirement applies to all vitamins and supplements.

Is a multivitamin FSA eligible?

Only with a letter. A general multivitamin bought for overall health isn't reimbursable. But if you've been diagnosed with a nutrient deficiency or a condition that affects nutrient absorption, a clinician can write a letter making it reimbursable.

Can I get a letter for protein powder or collagen?

Yes, if a clinician can tie it to a condition. Protein powder prescribed after surgery for recovery or for a muscle-wasting condition is reimbursable with a letter. Collagen for a diagnosed joint condition like osteoarthritis is reimbursable with a letter. Both require the letter to qualify.

What probiotics are FSA or HSA eligible?

Probiotics are reimbursable with a letter when prescribed by a clinician for a diagnosed digestive disorder such as IBS or Crohn's disease. General digestive probiotics require the letter to be eligible.

Do I need to buy a specific brand or strength?

No. Any brand or strength is fine as long as your clinician's letter supports the purchase. The letter just has to explain the medical condition and how the vitamin or supplement treats it.

Keep reading: Complete guide to FSA and HSA eligible items, What Can I Use My HSA Funds On?, What Can I Use My FSA Funds On?, and all guides on this topic.

Sources

• IRS Publication 502 - Medical and Dental Expenses (Nutritional supplements and vitamins require a recommendation by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition to be reimbursable)

• IRS Publication 969 - Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans (HSA accounts reimburse the same qualified medical expenses as FSA and HRA accounts)

• Healthcare.gov Glossary - FSA, HSA and HRA Information (Account types and qualified medical expense rules)