Introduction

A gym membership is one of the most impactful health investments you can make—but it’s also one of the most commonly asked-about FSA/HSA expenses. The short answer: yes, you can use your FSA or HSA to pay for a gym membership, but you’ll need a Letter of Medical Necessity. Here’s the full breakdown.

Why Gym Memberships Aren’t Automatically FSA/HSA Eligible

The IRS considers general fitness and exercise to be “general health” rather than a treatment for a specific medical condition. This means a gym membership doesn’t automatically qualify as an eligible medical expense. However, when a licensed provider determines that a structured exercise program at a fitness facility is medically necessary to treat a diagnosed condition, the gym membership becomes reimbursable.

Medical Conditions That Qualify

Common diagnoses that support an LMN for gym memberships include obesity (BMI of 30+), Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, clinical depression and anxiety, chronic back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rehabilitation after injury or surgery, and PCOS. If you have any of these conditions and your doctor recommends regular exercise as part of your treatment plan, you likely qualify.

Which Gyms and Fitness Programs Qualify?

An LMN can apply to virtually any fitness membership or program, including traditional gym memberships at facilities like Life Time, Equinox, LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, and YMCA; boutique fitness studios for CrossFit, Barry’s, Orangetheory, and SoulCycle; digital fitness platforms like ClassPass and Peloton memberships; personal training sessions; physical therapy gym programs; and swimming and aquatic fitness programs.

How to Get Reimbursed for Your Gym Membership with Burst

Pay for your gym membership as you normally would with any payment method. Complete Burst’s health assessment. If you qualify, a licensed provider issues your LMN, and Burst processes reimbursement directly to your bank account. It’s that straightforward.