How to Use HSA/FSA to Buy My Fitness Tracker

1 Big Thing

A fitness tracker can be covered through your health spending account when your doctor certifies it as medically necessary using a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).

Why it matters

For people managing high cholesterol, stress, or cardiovascular risk, exercise is prescribed prevention. A tracker turns that plan into daily action, providing measurable proof of adherence and progress.

Between the lines

The IRS requires medical documentation for some products or services. That means your doctor has to show the tracker isn’t just for general wellness it’s part of a treatment plan for a diagnosed condition.

Go deeper

What a Letter of Medical Necessity is

Under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules, certain health care services and products are only eligible for reimbursement from your health care FSA, limited purpose FSA, or HRA when a licensed medical provider certifies that they are medically necessary.

Your provider must clearly state:

• The specific diagnosed medical condition being treated
• The device or treatment recommended
• The duration of treatment or coverage period
• How the treatment will help manage or alleviate the condition

The LMN can be submitted using your provider’s own letterhead or a standard form. The key is that it includes all required information.

You only need to submit this form or letter with your first claim for the device. If the treatment continues past the listed time period, you’ll need to renew the LMN to cover the new dates.

Why a fitness tracker can qualify

For people with chronic conditions like hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, or stress-related disorders, physical activity and recovery tracking are part of ongoing care. These devices can:

• Help maintain adherence to prescribed exercise plans
• Track heart rate and training intensity safely
• Support stress and sleep management
• Provide measurable feedback that encourages consistency

How to request and use your LMN

1. Talk to your provider. Explain how you use a fitness tracker to manage your condition such as monitoring heart rate, recovery, and sleep as part of your exercise plan.
2. Have your provider complete the LMN. The letter should specify:
   • Your diagnosis (for example, high cholesterol)
   • The specific device recommended
   • The duration of treatment (often 12 months)
   • How it contributes to your health plan
3. Buy the device and keep an itemized receipt that includes the model name, date, and cost.
4. Submit your claim through your FSA, HRA, or other benefits portal, including both the LMN and your receipt.
5. Renew annually if your treatment plan continues beyond the original coverage period.

Common mistakes that delay reimbursement

• The LMN doesn’t list the device name or medical diagnosis
• The coverage period is missing or exceeds 12 months
• The purpose sounds like “general wellness” instead of treatment
• Missing receipt or incomplete documentation

Practical tips for people with high cholesterol

• Aim for 150–300 min/week of moderate cardio, plus 2 days of strength training, unless your clinician says otherwise.
• Use heart-rate zones to keep most sessions at conversational pace; sprinkle in some higher-intensity intervals if appropriate.
• Guard sleep like medicine: aim for 7–9 hours to support lipid and stress regulation.
• Check trends, not days. Weekly and monthly patterns matter more than single workouts.

Bottom line

A Letter of Medical Necessity transforms a fitness tracker from a personal gadget into part of a legitimate care plan. With proper documentation, you can align your preventive health habits with your benefits coverage and keep your heart health, stress, and motivation in check.

Health concerns, no matter how minor they may seem, can severely impact your overall well-being and quality of life. If you're experiencing symptoms or have concerns about a specific health condition, remember that timely and expert advice is key. Navigating healthcare can be challenging, but finding the right primary care physician shouldn't be. Whether you're seeking medical advice, a prescription or care, immediate access to expert primary care is just a button away. Don’t leave your health to chance - consult a Well Revolution primary care provider today for peace of mind and professional care.