Are Supplements HSA Eligible? How to Use Your HSA or FSA funds

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to use those funds to help pay for eligible supplements from BrickHouse Nutrition

While the IRS does have guidelines for using HSA and FSA dollars on nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products, these expenses can qualify when a medical practitioner recommends them to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.

BrickHouse Nutrition partners with Truemed to help qualified customers determine eligibility. The process starts with a short, private health survey that is reviewed by a licensed provider.

Here's what you need to know about using your HSA or FSA funds at BrickHouse Nutrition.

 

Are Supplements HSA Eligible?

Yes, but it depends on why you're taking the supplement.

Generally, the IRS considers nutritional supplements a personal expense when you take them to support your overall health. 

However, there is an exception. A supplement may qualify when a medical practitioner recommends it to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician. This applies to expenses paid with or reimbursed through an HSA or FSA. 

That means the same supplement could be a personal expense for one person and a qualified medical expense for another, depending on the medical reason for taking it.

For example, taking a multivitamin like Fortify to support your general health doesn't meet the IRS requirement by itself. But if a medical practitioner recommends that same supplement as part of treatment for a specific diagnosed condition, it may qualify.

 

What Is a Letter of Medical Necessity? 

A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is documentation from a licensed healthcare provider that explains why a product qualifies for HSA or FSA reimbursement.

You don't necessarily need an LMN to pay for an eligible BrickHouse purchase. If you complete the Truemed health assessment and are approved to pay directly with your HSA or FSA card, you can use your card at checkout.

On the other hand, if you pay with a regular credit or debit card, you'll need the LMN to request reimbursement from your HSA or FSA. This is also how BrickHouse handles subscription orders, since HSA and FSA cards can't be used to pay for subscriptions at checkout.

If you're eligible, Truemed says your LMN will typically be available within 1 to 2 business days after completing your health assessment. You can access and download it as a PDF from your Truemed account.

We recommend keeping your LMN and purchase receipts with your HSA or FSA records. Your plan administrator may ask for this documentation when you submit a reimbursement claim.

 

How to Use Your HSA or FSA at BrickHouse

BrickHouse works with Truemed to help qualified customers use HSA or FSA funds for eligible purchases. The process depends on whether you're making a one-time purchase or have a subscription.

Overview

• Pay with your HSA or FSA card: Complete the Truemed health assessment, get approved, and use your HSA or FSA card to pay at checkout.
• Pay with a regular card: Complete the Truemed health assessment. If you're eligible, you'll receive an LMN that you can use with your receipt to request reimbursement.
• Subscription orders: HSA and FSA cards can't be used to pay for subscriptions at checkout. Instead, pay with a regular credit or debit card, complete the Truemed assessment, and use your LMN and receipt to request reimbursement.

Use Truemed at Checkout for a One-Time Purchase

For a one-time BrickHouse order, you can use Truemed during checkout.

1. Add an eligible BrickHouse product to your cart and head to checkout.
2. Select the Truemed option.
3. Complete the private health assessment.
4. A licensed provider reviews your information to determine whether you're eligible.
5. If you're approved, you can complete your purchase with an HSA or FSA card.
6. If you prefer to pay with a regular card, you can request reimbursement instead.

Truemed says eligible customers typically receive their Letter of Medical Necessity within 1 to 2 business days.

Pay With a Regular Card and Request Reimbursement

You can also pay for a one-time order with a regular credit or debit card and request reimbursement from your HSA or FSA.

1. Place your BrickHouse order using a regular credit or debit card.
2. Look for the Truemed assessment link on your confirmation screen or in your receipt email.
3. Complete the assessment on the same day you make your purchase.
4. If you're eligible, Truemed says you'll receive your Letter of Medical Necessity within 1 to 2 business days.
5. Use your LMN and purchase receipt to submit your reimbursement request.

Truemed says reimbursement claims are typically paid within 2 to 4 weeks.

Don't wait to complete the assessment. Truemed requires it to be completed on the same day as your purchase.

 

Using HSA or FSA Funds for a Subscription

HSA and FSA cards can't be used to pay for BrickHouse subscription orders at checkout. You can still use your HSA or FSA funds through the reimbursement process.

1. Pay for your subscription order with a regular credit or debit card.
2. Use the Truemed assessment link in your order confirmation or receipt email.
3. Complete the assessment on the same day as your purchase.
4. If you're eligible, you'll receive your Letter of Medical Necessity within 1 to 2 business days.
5. Use your LMN and receipt to submit the order for reimbursement through your HSA or FSA.

You'll need to follow this process for each subscription order you want to submit for reimbursement. Keep your LMN and receipts together so they're easy to find when you submit your claim.

 

Which Supplements are HSA Eligible?

Protein powder, collagen, vitamins, and greens powders all fall under the IRS rules for nutritional supplements. They aren't automatically eligible for HSA or FSA spending. Eligibility depends on whether a medical practitioner recommends the product to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.

BrickHouse Nutrition supplements like Field of Greens, The BrickHouse Whey, Radiance, and Fortify are available for HSA/FSA-eligible purchases for qualified customers. You can use Truemed to complete the health assessment and determine whether you qualify.

Are Greens Powders HSA Eligible?

Greens powders aren't automatically eligible for HSA or FSA spending. They can qualify when a medical practitioner recommends them to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.

Field of Greens is HSA/FSA eligible for qualified customers at BrickHouse Nutrition. If you qualify through Truemed, you can pay with an HSA or FSA card for a one-time purchase or pay with a regular card and request reimbursement.

Is Protein Powder HSA Eligible?

If a medical practitioner recommends protein supplementation to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician, protein powder may be a qualifying expense.

The BrickHouse Whey is HSA/FSA eligible for qualified customers. Complete the Truemed health assessment to determine whether you qualify, then use your HSA or FSA card at checkout or follow the reimbursement process if you pay with a regular card.

Is Collagen HSA Eligible?

Collagen follows the same IRS guidelines as other nutritional supplements. It may qualify when a medical practitioner recommends it to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.

Radiance is HSA/FSA eligible for qualified customers at BrickHouse Nutrition. If you qualify through Truemed, you can use your HSA or FSA funds through the checkout or reimbursement process.

Are Vitamins HSA Eligible?

The IRS includes vitamins among the nutritional supplements covered by its guidelines. Vitamins taken to support general health generally aren't considered eligible medical expenses, but they may qualify when a medical practitioner recommends them to treat a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.

Fortify is HSA/FSA eligible for qualified customers at BrickHouse Nutrition. Complete the Truemed health assessment to determine whether you qualify

 

What Happens to Unused FSA Money?

HSA and FSA accounts work differently.

An HSA belongs to you, and unused money generally stays in the account from year to year. An HSA can also stay with you if you change jobs.

An FSA is an employer-sponsored benefit, and unused money can be subject to your plan's rules. Some plans allow a grace period or a limited carryover, while others don't.

Check your specific FSA plan before the end of the year. Your plan administrator can tell you how much you have left and when you need to use it.

If you have FSA funds that are about to expire, make sure you understand your eligibility before placing an order. The Truemed process requires a health survey and provider review, so don't wait until the last day of your plan year.

 

Use Your HSA or FSA for Eligible BrickHouse Products

You may be able to use HSA or FSA funds to purchase eligible BrickHouse supplements if you qualify through the Truemed health assessment.

The process is simple. Complete a private health assessment, have your information reviewed by a licensed provider, and, if you're eligible, receive the documentation you need to use your HSA or FSA funds.

Before making a purchase, be sure to check your HSA or FSA plan's rules. The IRS sets the requirements for qualified medical expenses, while your plan administrator handles your account and reimbursement claims.

See our HSA/FSA eligible products and learn how to use your benefits at BrickHouse Nutrition.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About HSA and FSA Supplements

What's the Difference Between an HSA and an FSA?

An HSA is a tax-advantaged account generally available to people enrolled in an eligible high-deductible health plan. The account belongs to you, and unused funds generally roll over from year to year.

An FSA is an employer-sponsored account that lets you set aside pre-tax money for eligible health care expenses. Your plan determines what happens to money left at the end of the plan year.

Do I Need a Doctor's Note to Buy Supplements With My HSA?

The IRS requires a medical practitioner's recommendation for a nutritional supplement to qualify as a medical expense, and that recommendation must be for treatment of a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician.

At BrickHouse, Truemed can help qualified customers determine whether they meet the requirements and, when eligible, provides a Letter of Medical Necessity.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Letter of Medical Necessity?

Truemed says eligible customers generally receive their Letter of Medical Necessity within 1 to 2 days after completing the health survey. The survey must be completed on the same day as the purchase.

Can I Get Reimbursed If I Already Paid With a Credit Card?

Yes. If you pay for an eligible BrickHouse purchase with a regular credit or debit card, you can request reimbursement from your HSA or FSA. After your purchase, complete the Truemed health assessment using the link on your confirmation screen or receipt email. If you're eligible, Truemed will provide a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) and the documentation you need to submit your purchase for reimbursement.