How to Buy Wellness & Fitness Equipment With Your HSA or FSA
A sauna, cold plunge, Tonal, or treadmill may be HSA/FSA eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity. That one document is the difference between paying with after-tax money and paying with pre-tax dollars. This guide covers how eligibility actually works, what an LMN is, and how buying used stacks a second discount on top.
The Rule: Conditional Eligibility, Not Automatic
High-ticket wellness equipment is not on the automatic eligibility list the way contact lenses or bandages are. The IRS allows these purchases when a licensed provider documents that the equipment treats or manages a specific condition. Chronic back pain and a massage chair. Cardiovascular risk and a treadmill. Stress-related conditions and a sauna. The LMN is what makes the connection official.
Anyone who tells you a sauna is flatly ‘HSA eligible’ is skipping the important part. Eligibility is conditional. The good news: getting the documentation is straightforward when the health need is real.
What a Letter of Medical Necessity Covers
An LMN is a short letter from a licensed provider. It names your condition, names the equipment, and states why the equipment helps. Plans typically honor an LMN for 12 months. Some administrators ask for a renewal on recurring expenses, but durable equipment is usually a one-time purchase and a one-time letter.
The Math: Used Price Plus Pre-Tax Dollars
Here is the stack on a real example from our catalog. A Tonal that retails around $4,000 new typically sells for $1,000 to $4,000 used on Commonplace, with most around $2,100. Pay that $2,100 with pre-tax dollars and, at a 30 percent marginal rate, the effective cost lands near $1,470. That is roughly a third of the new price for the same machine on your wall.
The same logic applies to saunas (used from a few hundred dollars to high-end builds), cold plunges, massage chairs, and treadmills. Used price first, tax savings second, both discounts on the same purchase.
HSA/FSA Purchases Are Built Into Commonplace
Commonplace supports HSA and FSA purchases directly. We handle the Letter of Medical Necessity process for you, including the provider review, so you are not chasing paperwork on your own. If your situation qualifies, our team walks you through payment and reimbursement from start to finish.
Why Secondhand Plus Pre-Tax Is the Cheapest Legal Path
Every other company targeting these queries sells new equipment. Nobody else stacks the two discounts: used pricing and pre-tax dollars on top of it.
Buying used on Commonplace is not a craigslist gamble. Every item gets a 30-50 point inspection at pickup, payment is held until the buyer confirms, and your purchase includes a 60-day warranty. You get the secondhand price with none of the secondhand risk.
Product Eligibility Guides
We wrote a dedicated guide for each category, with current price ranges from live listings:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy gym equipment with my HSA or FSA?
Sometimes. Most wellness and fitness equipment is eligible only with a Letter of Medical Necessity from a licensed provider stating the equipment treats or manages a specific health condition. Without an LMN, these purchases are generally not eligible.
What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?
An LMN is a short document from a licensed provider stating that a product or service is recommended to treat, manage, or prevent a specific medical condition. Plans use it to approve purchases that are not automatically eligible.
Does used equipment qualify for HSA/FSA the same way new equipment does?
Eligibility depends on the item and your LMN, not on whether the item is new or used. A used sauna with a valid LMN follows the same reimbursement rules as a new one, at a much lower price.
Does Commonplace handle the HSA/FSA paperwork?
Yes. Commonplace manages the Letter of Medical Necessity process for qualifying purchases, including the provider review, and our team guides you through payment and reimbursement.
How much can I save buying used with pre-tax dollars?
Used equipment on Commonplace typically sells for 40 to 60 percent below new retail. Paying with pre-tax dollars saves roughly your marginal tax rate on top, often 30 to 40 percent. Stacked, the effective cost can be less than half the new price.
This article is not tax or medical advice. HSA and FSA eligibility for wellness equipment is conditional and depends on your health situation and your plan. Confirm eligibility with your plan administrator and a licensed provider before you buy.