Dietary supplements are not eligible for reimbursement with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA).
Why Are Dietary Supplements Not FSA/HSA Eligible?
Dietary supplements are products intended to add nutritional value to the diet, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and other compounds. They are typically used to promote general wellness, fitness, or immune support, rather than to diagnose, treat, or prevent a specific medical condition.
Because they are used for overall health and not prescribed medical care, dietary supplements do not meet the definition of a qualified medical expense under IRS Code Section 213(d). According to the SIGIS Eligible Product List Criteria, supplements are excluded from FSA/HSA eligibility, even if they claim to improve health or reduce the risk of disease.
What’s Not Covered?
Vitamins and multivitamins taken for general health or wellness
Herbal or botanical supplements marketed for energy, stress relief, or immune support
Amino acid powders, protein supplements, or performance blends
Weight loss, detox, or metabolism-boosting supplements
Any supplement not prescribed by a physician to treat a specific medical condition
LMN and Exceptions
Dietary supplements are not eligible under normal circumstances. A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) cannot make most over-the-counter supplements reimbursable.
In extremely rare cases, a specific supplement may qualify if:
It is prescribed by a physician to treat a diagnosed medical deficiency or condition (e.g., a specific vitamin prescribed for severe deficiency).
The supplement is medically necessary and cannot be obtained through a standard food source.
To pursue reimbursement for a medically required supplement:
Obtain a diagnosis from your physician and request a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) specifying the supplement and dosage.
Submit the LMN to your FSA/HSA administrator for review before purchasing.
If approved, purchase the supplement and retain your LMN, receipts, and approval for documentation.
However, these approvals are rare, and general dietary supplements remain ineligible.
