2022's Best 22 Tech & Wellness Buys For FSA / HSA Funds; From a San Francisco HR Director
Best Wellness Buys For FSA
How do I know the best tech and wellness items to spend FSA and HSA funds on? I work as a San Francisco HR Director, and I’ve worked in HR and Recruiting for over 15 years. Every time the Holidays roll around, questions regarding what employees can spend their Flexible Spending Account / FSA or Health Savings Account / HSA funds come my way. Because of this, I’m always tuned in to that little FSA / HSA Eligible icon, or articles that state when an item is uniquely eligible. Whether you’re trying to stock up on household essentials, finishing up a job and need to burn through some FSA / HSA funds on your account, or do some unique self holiday shopping with pre-income tax dollars, here’s a little list on how to optimize those excess HSA / FSA funds with the coolest and best tech and wellness items available. This is the list on the fun things to buy with FSA funds. You don’t need to be a San Francisco HR Director to master the art of optimizing your FSA account.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that, when I google “what can I spend my FSA funds on?” or similar phrases, articles come up with acid reflux medication recommendations, thermometers, antibacterial ointments, contact solution, etc. Now, those things are valuable to know and everyone uses them as basic fundamentals...but what about the cool stuff? The new or unexpected things...Tech and wellness items… What if you have some real FSA funds to burn through? You may be able to buy some pretty cool things with that tax-free FSA / HSA money before it expires.
If you’re looking for those basics like Tylenol and other pain relievers, heartburn medications, allergy relief and more, for the first time since 2011, in 2020, thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, you can use your FSA or HSA funds to buy over-the-counter medications without a prescription. For a one-stop-shop of those types of items, including a few wellness tech gadgets, the HSAstore.com and FSAstore.com are your best bets.
If you’ve ever gotten flack from your HSA / FSA account and needed to provide extra documentation, you aren’t likely to get much pushback from either of these sites as their products are highly vetted and FSA / HSA providers are quite used to seeing charges and claims coming from these two merchants. Each also has an updated list with every category possible, outlining what can be claimed as an HSA and an FSA expense. Please visit the HSAstore.com List (code HSATHANKS for $10 OFF no min purchase) and the FSAstore.com List (codes 21SAVE15 for $15 OFF $175 and code 21SAVE25 for $25 OFF $225).
Some of these recommendations I list below may require a prescription from your doctor. With the remoteness of everything, I’ve found that it isn't very difficult if you have a good reason and can carve out a small piece of time in your day… If you’re able to do a remote doctor’s visit, it’s quite easy to fit in. I recommend knowing exactly what you’re going to ask for and why before going into that doctor’s visit. Hypothetical example: “In order to get FSA reimbursement, I need a prescription for the Vessel Testing and the Noom app for weight management, as we’ve discussed before that my cholesterol is high and I need to lose X lbs.”
For the products that I state you may need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) or a prescription, this is based on my research, experience in HR, and what’s stated on each company’s website. What is a LMN? A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is a letter written by your doctor that verifies the services or items you are purchasing are for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition. This letter is required by the IRS for certain eligible expenses.
Best Wellness Buys For FSA
A lot of the things I write about, I tie to personal experience from my experience being in HR and working as a San Francisco HR Director… and I write in first person with product recommendations. A good amount of the products and services below are things I’ve used and tried over the years. Some I’ve purchased through HSA / FSA funds, some were reimbursed through a generous wellness reimbursement program at a prior employer of mine, and others were good ol’ plastic charges. FSA / HSA administrators are supposed to be the same and operate under the same government mandated laws and regulations. That said, some do seem a lot tougher with receipt submission, charges, and claims than others. If you have a finicky HSA / FSA administrator, you’ll want to take less risks, or back up with getting a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your doctor for the purchase to submit with your receipts.
2022's Best 22 Tech & Wellness to Buys For FSA / HSA Funds…. From a San Francisco HR Director… The List!
1. Fitness Tracker Watches - FSA / HSA Covered with LMN
Can I use my FSA on a fitness tracker? Can I use my FSA on a Fitbit watch? Can I use my FSA on an Apple watch?
Like a few things on the list, you’ll need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) for this cool tech piece… But, yes. If you can obtain a LMN from your doctor for a Fitbit, a Garmin Watch, a Withings Watch, or a Whoop Band, you should be able to use your HSA / FSA funds to buy them. I don’t think you’ll get away with purchasing excessive bands, but you may be able to slide one into the order. I make no promises on if it’ll work, but I would give it a try. Unfortunately, it won’t work on an Apple Watch as they aren’t classified as fitness trackers. You’ll see disclaimers on the websites that none of them are medically necessary or medical devices. This is for their own regulatory protection. These devices are, however, considered fitness trackers. You should be good to go with any Fitbit, Withings, Garmin Watch, or Whoop Band as long as you have a LMN. If you have a medical condition, or have a good amount of weight to lose, most doctors will support this. They may not like doing the paperwork, but most will. If you’re fit, have no medical concerns, and already exercise regularly in an obvious way, your case may be much harder to make. If you want the monthly membership, make sure you ask for this in the LMN from your doctor too. I recommend paying the monthly membership in one bulk payment for a long period of time if you get it approved.
Promo Code: Whoop Band, code COACH30 for $30 OFF a fitness band and membership bundle
Best Wellness items For FSA
2. At Home DNA Health Testing - Health Portion Fully FSA / HSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on 23andme DNA testing?
At home DNA testing is quite popular nowadays, so of course it makes the list of fun things to buy with FSA funds. I actually was an early adopter. I’ve been with 23andMe since 2011, almost 11 years from the time of this article posting. The addition of DNA testing to FSA / HSA eligibility is actually quite new-ish, since 2019 when the IRS made these changes, and technically only the Health component of the Health + Ancestry Service is able to be applied to your FSA / HSA funds. According to 23andMe, “the Health amount purchased in the whole service, valued at $117 + shipping and tax (where applicable) should be eligible as medical care covered by your FSA / HSA benefit (based on their regular price of $199).” This calculates out to about 59% + all shipping and the tax associated with the Health amount (the 59%). In case you get it on sale, the math becomes important. Ancestry.com (the other major at home DNA testing) doesn’t appear to focus on a Health component at this time. They also don’t have a page outlining FSA or HSA capabilities. Because of both of these things, I think 23andMe is your best bet for FSA / HSA eligibility for this service within the US. Through the Holidays only, FSAstore.com sells the 23andMe Health Only kit, shipping included. If you’re already putting a card together on the FSAstore.com and don’t mind missing out on the Ancestry piece, you can add it to your cart and forego the calculations.
Save 10 % by clicking my personal 23andMe referral link below!
3. At Home Lab Testing - Some Fully FSA / HSA Covered, Others Need LMN
Can I use my FSA on Everylywell? Do I need a LMN for Everlywell?
I’m super into these at home tests, and I’ve tried two companies… Everlywell and Vessel. Everlywell’s tests come delivered in a box, and if you’ve ever done the 23andMe DNA test, the process is similar in a lot of ways (except not DNA related). These lab in a box tests include everything from Women’s and Men’s Health, Folic Acid, B-12, Metabolism, Thyroid, Vitamin D and Inflammation, Testosterone, and so many more! The test arrives at your home in a box within a few days. Depending on the test and the requirements, you’ll either need to spit in a tube, and/or prick your finger for a blood sample to put on a lab card for testing. You send it all back, pre-paid, in the same box. Within a week or two (usually on the short end), your results will be available online.
Apple watch HSA eligible 2022
With Vessel, you can measure vitals from your urine on a regular basis from home, gaining instant results. You do this by uploading the data from a card, scanning a QR code from that card, and the app from your phone tells you everything and stores all past data. It measures things like B7, Cortisol, Ketones, pH, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Hydration, B12… and they claim to be adding more soon. Yes, you do have to urinate on a card, but it’s really not so bad. I learned that I was very low on Magnesium, and taking supplements actually changed my mood completely. I started sleeping 7 hours a night, and not oversleeping. I had a hard time balancing either getting enough sleep or not overdoing it playing catch up before learning this about my levels. Being able to monitor it on a weekly basis, and not just once at the lab was helpful in knowing I was actually increasing my magnesium levels.
Apple Watch HSA Eligible 2022
Everlywell claims that their tests are FSA / HSA eligible. This is the exact phrasing Everlywell has on their website: “Generally speaking, yes, you can use your HSA/FSA account to pay for an at-home health test. Your Everlywell test is authorized by a physician, so it should fit the guidelines for most HSA/FSA coverage.” On the Vessel website, it says the following: “Vessel wellness cards may be eligible as a HSA/FSA purchase with a prescription from a doctor.” Please note, none of these are covered by any medical insurance plans. These kits are a great addition to any wellness plan you may be making.
Promo Code:
Vessel Health, code COMEBACK20 for 20% OFF any subscription plan.
Save 25% on Everlywell via my referral link. Simply click the link below!
4. Personal Trainer & Gym Membership - FSA / HSA Covered with LMN
Can I use my FSA on a personal trainer? Can I use my FSA on a gym membership?
This one has gone back and forth in recent years at the Senate regarding if there should be full HSA / FSA coverage, or if a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) should be required. Currently, it appears that a LMN is still required. If you are on a wellness or weight loss journey, this could also be something you could very well make a compelling case for with your doctor. If you’re a self motivated individual, there are a ton of free at-home options available to exercise with. As a San Francisco HR Director, I’m super busy and need to get creative with fitness. Our Samsung Smart TV includes a free app with TONS of classes (among many other great things that I won’t go into because they aren’t relevant for this post). If you’re more of a home exerciser that occasionally likes to go take a class, ClassPass is a good option as well. They have a plethora of online classes, and in-person classes at local gyms and studios in cities around North America. Obe Fitness is also wildly popular right now. Also, every time I buy yoga clothes from alo, they always send me a 3-month free trial to alomoves.com, their fitness class branch of their business. I make no promises, but it’s happened to me three times. Side note, I cannot mention alo, without mentioning Girlfriend Collective, which I like more for environmental yoga clothing. No class freebie though, and I’m getting far off topic with FSA / HSA now. ;)
Promo Codes:
Obe Fitness: code OBE30 for 30% OFF your first 30 day membership
alomoves: code SPLITS for 50% OFF and code HANDSTANDTIPS for 50% OFF and annual membership, making it $10/mo for unlimited yoga and meditation (and income tax free)
Another off-topic thing that you may really appreciate me for bringing up, from my expertose as a San Francisco HR Director...Here’s a total freebie tip… In light of COVID-19, a lot of insurance companies have been providing wellness and fitness additions to their subscribers at no cost, likely because so many are gaining weight and are so stressed out. Lacking overall wellness increases health costs for them over the long term, so providing fringe perks now can help mitigate that. Here are some of the free fitness and wellness apps and services that you should check out, if they apply to you:
Free Kaiser Meditation Apps - Calm & myStrength - Oregon & Washington
Free Kaiser On-Demand Online ClassPass - NorCal (Possible Other Regions)
Kaiser Discounted Gym Memberships & Fitness Products - NorCal (Possible Other Regions)
Free HeadSpace Meditation App & Service BlueShield - California (Possible Other Regions)
5. Peloton & Fitness Equipment - FSA / HSA Covered with LMN
Can I use my FSA to buy a Peloton? Can I use my FSA to buy exercise equipment? Do I need a LMN to buy a Peloton with my FSA?
Similar to gym memberships, smart scales, fitness apps, weight management apps, and fitness trackers… you’ll need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) stating that you need a specific fitness equipment to treat a medical condition, in order to get a Peloton or a similar machine covered by your FSA or HSA. Considering that one-third of Americans are overweight, and another third are obese, a lot of Americans should be able to make this case pretty easily. If you’re already a regular gym goer, it may be more difficult…. Although… with folks feeling more reluctant to exercise in crowds, you may be able to speak to your doctor and ask either way. Couldn’t hurt to try? I reference the Peloton because it’s the most well known, but I personally own a MYXfitness Bike, which costs about half the price, and the monthly membership for classes is only $29/mo. I also checked out Echelon before making my indoor cycling purchase. Feel free to check out my blog post write up on my decision making process on my bike purchase for more details if you’re really considering an indoor cycling bike. There are also other options, like rowers, treadmills, ellipticals etc.
Referral: Save $250 to $450 plus free delivery and assembly via my referral below on a MYXfitness Bike!
6. Prescription Sunglasses - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Are sunglasses covered by my FSA?
I cannot believe I made it to my 30’s as a glasses wearer without having a pair of prescription sunglasses. This is my number one item, simply because I personally wonder how many others out there are willing to go blind on a sunny day. Blind by either light, or blind by wearing non-Rx sunglasses. There’s a better way! If you’ve already used your insurance allocation for glasses or contacts earlier in the year, you can still obtain your prescription from your Optometrist (if you were fitted for glasses within 12 months) and purchase sunglasses with your extra FSA / HSA funds. You can absolutely go back into your local glasses shop to purchase the sunglasses there. I feel like purchasing sunglasses online is less of a fit risk than regular frames, because I know I need to purchase a wider size, and with sunglasses, I’ll always be buying larger frames than with regular glasses. True to San Francisco HR Director style, Warby Parker and ZENNI are obviously great places to buy trendy frames for a budget price. If you have a lot of FSA / HSA funds to spend, you can either go the designer route, or go with a few economical options… or save some of those HSA / FSA funds for some of the other ideas below. You may also want to check out sunglasses at the Sunglass Hut, Oakley, Ray-Ban, Target Optical, and Glasses.com. Don’t underestimate Target Optical. Thinking they only have budget frames would be an inaccurate assumption. One that I initially made. Target has tons of designer frames for great prices!
7. Weight Management Apps - FSA / HSA Covered with LMN
Can I use my FSA on Weight watchers? Can I use my FSA on Noom?
Similar to the fitness trackers, a weight management app, or monthly program, may really only be approved with a Letter of Medical necessity from your doctor for a weight management mobile app or program. If you’re simply trying to fit into those jeans, that may not cut it. If you have a serious condition, disorder, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you have significant weight to lose, you may be able to ask your doctor for a LMN for a couple things so you can charge them to your HSA / FSA account to kickstart the change. I’ve personally tried Noom for a while and I really liked the way it taught me weight management techniques. I’m busy as a a San Francisco HR Director, and can use easy additions to my life. There were a couple things I questioned with Noom. They use facts and data to present to you to coach you into small changes. That’s all so helpful, but then I see data presented around “people that weigh themselves daily weigh X percent less than those that don’t”. I forgot the number, but I didn’t like that Noom wanted me to weigh myself daily. I think there’s a reason that people that weigh themselves daily weigh less, and it may not be for good reasons. Not all data relates to good psychology. That’s why I didn’t continue with Noom. I think it could work very well for others. Another program that I’ve heard has changed and modernized a lot is Weight Watchers. It could be worth checking out what they have going on with their mobile app program too!
Promo Codes:
Noom: code NOOM30 to get 42% plus $30 OFF a membership (yes, strange amount, I know)… Plus a FREE 7 day trial to see if it’s for you!
Weight Watchers: code SAVE10 for 10% OFF a membership
8. Yoga Pillows & Wedge Pillows - Wedge Pillow Fully HSA / FSA Covered, Read for More Pillow Coverage
Can I use my FSA on yoga pillows? Can I use my FSA on a wedge pillow?
Let’s just establish that your run-of-the-mill average pillow is not covered. That includes those gel, memory foam pillows too… Those are not covered unfortunately.
Now let’s talk about what is fully HSA / FSA covered. That would be a pillow that’s a medical necessity. A body pillow for medical conditions that benefit from side sleeping, such as snoring, sciatica, and lower back pain… and wedge pillows for the treatment of nighttime acid reflux. Getting older… Stress of my job as a San Francisco HR Director, the wedge pillow has helped with the acid reflux nights. My absolute favorite company for this is Brentwood Home, which is a US made mattress company in SoCal. I own just about everything on their website, except their mattress (funny enough). Even my dog has their dog bed. I have the Brentwood Home Crystal Cove Wedge Pillow and the Brentwood Home Yoga Cushion Set. The wedge pillow can be fully covered for the necessity to manage nighttime acid reflux, which I do use it for. I’m also tilting the pillow upwards in my bed, sitting up with my laptop stand and writing this blog article too. It’s dual purpose. The Brentwood Home Yoga Cushion Set, however, you’ll need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your doctor. You can also just buy one single piece of that yoga set, if you simply want...let’s say...the meditation pillow for stretching, or meditating for anxiety management. I also use the Brentwood Home Yoga Cushions for meditating, mindfulness, stretching, laying on the floor when my back hurts, lumbar support, and general wellness and relaxation.
Now that I’ve mentioned it, what about lumbar support? For some reason, the IRS requires you to need a LMN for lumbar support pillows and cushions. I have the Brentwood Home Lumbar Support and Cushion both for my work chair at home. You should be able to get the lumbar support pillow covered by FSA / HSA with a LMN. I don’t think the chair cushion would make the cut.
Since we’re on the topic of pillows, but I feel it needs its own category….
Is Lumen HSA Eligible
9. Travel Pillows - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on travel pillows?
I’m calling this category “Travel Pillows” because that’s when we see them the most, but the reason these pillows are FSA and HSA approved is because they’re viewed as “neck pillows”, providing support for sore necks. Any of the wrap around your neck pillows should be approved to spend via your HSA and FSA funds, so let me share the good with you. The Sleep Number Travel Pillow is leading my list. When doing research for this article, I added this to my cart and checked out. I can’t attest to it personally yet, but I’m all about sexy, usable, and practical. This seems to check all those boxes. The reviews are off the charts. It’s spendy, but dang, it looks beautiful and dreamy. I haven’t been traveling much these days, but as a San Francisco HR Director, if the world goes back to some sense of normalcy, a good travel neck pillow could become essential. One of the highest reviewed, most purchased neck pillows on Amazon is the BCOZZY Neck Pillow. This neck pillow was also reviewed by the NYTimes as a top travel pillow, along with….”The Cabeau Evolution Classic Pillow is almost as good a pillow for a slightly higher price”, according to the NYTimes. You can also do what everyone does, and check out what Brookstone has to offer too.
10. Back Care Products - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on Therabody or a Theragun? Can I use my FSA on a Chirp?
Did you know that you can buy a pretty cool piece of tech from Therabody like a Theragun with your HSA and FSA dollars? Yup! If you’ve ever seen those handheld massagers in the shape of (let’s just say it) a gun, you can nab one for yourself with your leftover FSA bucks. If Therabody products are a little out of your budget, I get it. I have a handheld back massager that I spent around $90 on, and my husband and I are super happy with it. Check out Brookstone to go our route.
Other great back products to check out are Chirp and Foam Rollers. Both of these should be covered by your leftover FSA / HSA funds.
Promo Codes & Discounts:
Chirp: code CHIRP10 for 10% OFF
Therabody: Military, Medical, and First Responders receive a 20% discount THROUGH THIS LINK
11. Acne Light Therapy - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on acne light therapy?
I’ve suffered with acne since the 4th grade. I’m now 37. Needless to say, I’ve used my end of year FSA funds in the past to buy a couple of these acne light therapy products including the dpl Professional Acne Treatment Light Therapy and the ReVive Light Therapy Clinical Acne Treatment. The dpl one costs a lot more, but you’re done with a session in 3 minutes. The ReVive one costs around a quarter of the price, but you need to sit and move it around your face and chin for 30 minutes. I use the ReVive wand much more because I can watch TV with this little tech gadget when I do it. It does come with a cord though, and mine wasn’t rechargeable when I purchased it in 2017-ish. Both are HIGHLY recommended for those with acne problems.
12. Sunscreen - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on sunscreen? Can I use my FSA on Supergoop? Can I use my FSA on Coola sunscreen?
I admit I’m a super cliche when it comes to sunscreen. I lived in Florida for a good ten years of my youth and I barely put the stuff on. I now live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I wear sunscreen on my face almost daily, even in the winter on a cloudy day. Sunscreen can also be used as a skin protecting makeup primer. Also, because I go in the sun less, I need to train my skin when I do. Having SPF 50, 30, and 15 is nice for when I visit Florida or Hawaii (make sure to look for “reef safe” or sunscreen without oxybenzone and octinoxate for the ocean). SPF 50 for the first couple days, SPF 30 for the middle and SPF 15 for the last couple. I have the type of skin that doesn’t burn super easily though. My husband is SPF 50 or SPF 70+, everyday...even if we’re only out for 30 minutes. Needless to say, having a variety of sunscreens is handy. Face sunscreen, and varying levels. My absolute favorite brands to wear under my makeup are Supergoop and Coola. Surprisingly, even the slightly risky stuff like the SunBum SPF 15 Tanning Oil is covered under your FSA and HSA plan. For a full and huge list of options, visit the FSA Store or the HSA Store.
13. Menstruation Products & Feminine Care - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on period panties? Can I use my FSA on Knix? Can I use my FSA on Thinx?
This is a much delayed and much needed addition to the HSA and FSA programs through the CARES Act of 2020. Prior to this, feminine hygiene products weren’t allowed to be expensed through the HSA / FSA program since 2011. Since then, there have been some pretty cool advancements towards women’s wellness. Not only can you purchase pads, tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups and disks… You can now use FSA and HSA funds on things like period panties like Knix and Thinx, and perhaps the coolest little period cramp invention… Livia, which is a tech gadget that’s too hard to explain. If you have bad period cramps, just click through and watch their video.
Promos & Promo Codes:
Knix: For $15 OFF your first order, CLICK HERE. Only for first orders.
Thinx: For $10 OFF your first order, CLICK HERE. Only for first orders.
Livia: code GETLIVIA10 for 10% OFF
14. Smart Scales - FSA / HSA Covered with LMN
Can I use my FSA on a smart scale? Can I use my FSA on a Fitbit scale?
If you’re on a weight loss journey or if you have a medical condition that requires close monitoring of your weight and other health factors, you may be able to make a pretty easy case with your doctor to provide you a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) to obtain a smart scale via your HSA and FSA funds so you can track (and possibly share) your data over time. The best smart scales out there are the Withings, Fitbit, Garmin, and the QardioBase2. I personally have the Fitbit Aria Air, and I love it! You could probably make the same case for a regular scale, but why? The cool tech is worth the leg-work. ;)
15. Metabolism Device - FSA / HSA Covered with LMN
Can I use my FSA on Lumen?
I stumbled upon the Lumen device while on the Keto diet, and at a friend’s house that was also on Keto. They were showing me this new tech device they got, called the Lumen, in which it would tell them the ideal times to have a little more carb intake and when they absolutely needed to keep their carb intake low. I thought this was pretty cool. I only saw it for a minute, but I was intrigued for sure. I’ve researched if the product would be covered by HSA or FSA. There’s nothing on Lumen’s website, but I think that’s naivete on their part. It really seems like the same rules should apply to this device that would apply to a fitness tracker or a scale…. If it’s a device intended to treat or manage a health condition, it should be covered with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a doctor. I can’t promise this, but I really don’t see why the Lumen tech device is any different. Look, I’m a 37 y/o San Francisco HR Director. My metabolism isn’t what it used to be. If you’re on a weight loss plan, or if you’re on a Ketogenic diet for another medical reason, ask your doctor. I suggest not taking the risk if you can’t budget the purchase if your FSA or HSA doesn’t approve the expense. I’m 90% sure that with a LMN, you should be fine.
16. At Home Clear Dental Trays - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on New Smile Life? Can I use my FSA on at-home dental trays?
In addition to being fully sponsored by FSA accounts, orthodontic treatments may also be included by your insurance provider. It may be worth checking with them as well. You may have heard of these companies by now... Byte and Smile Direct Club (now out of business, however, there are other options). These dental trays are similar to Invisalign, but at a fraction of the cost and managed completely at home (or with only one initial visit vs monthly ortho visits). I actually did at home dental trays in 2017 and can attest to the quality. I can also give a little comparison to the difference to Invisalign, because the same year, one of my best friends got Invisalign. Before seeing his teeth, I thought the clear dental trays would be exactly the same. They aren’t. His Invisalign trays were fastened to his teeth by little notches his orthodontist temporarily added to his teeth, for the time he wore the trays, to keep them fastened in place. That was one major difference. The second major difference… His trays weren’t made all at once. His dental trays were created as his teeth shifted vs being created via a prediction of where the teeth would shift. That’s how Byte and NewSmileLife operate.
The average cost for traditional braces is $4,000 to $5,500, and Invisalign runs from $5,000 to $7,000. NewSmileLife costs no more than $2,500 (for either the nighttime aligners or the standard aligners). That $2,500 includes a remote impression kit or a 3D image made in person at a SmileShop, which also costs $59. There are two payment options for the bulk of the treatment: You can complete a one-time payment of $1,950 or put down a deposit of $250 and pay $89 a month for 24 months (which comes to $2,386 in the end). Once the treatment is over, you can purchase a retainer to preserve your smile, which costs an additional $99.
You can absolutely use your health savings account or flexible spending account / FSA account to cover the cost of NewSmileLife or Byte, and I’m sure NewSmileLife has a similar payment structure. FSA beauty find coming at cha!
What did I think of my teeth afterwards? Well, my teeth didn’t look as straight as someone with braces. They also didn’t look as straight as someone that would have gotten traditional Invisalign. I was quoted $5,700 for Invisalign from my dentist. I spent around $2,100 for at home dental trays. My insurance also sponsored $1,500, and I was billed for one a single payment vs monthly installments. I highly recommend this if your insurance covers orthodontia. If you lose your job or this plan on a monthly payment plan mid service, you’ll be stuck with the while bill. Another reason to go with NewSmileLife or Byte. Fronting $600 was much easier than thousands. That said, My teeth got about 70% of what they would’ve gotten if I would have went the traditional route, but it cost less than half. I guess I still ended up on top. I recommend the service for those that have had braces or alignment in the past and need a touch up, or those that have mild to moderate teeth straightening needed. If you really need good work done, I don’t recommend NewSmileLife or Byte. Either way, if you have funds on your FSA to use, this is a viable option. Also on the oral benefit front…
Discounts:
NewSmileLife: Click the link below for $250 OFF + Extra Retainers
Byte: code BYTESEASONS100BBP for a $14.95 Impression Kit + FREE Whitening & $100 Off Aligners
17. Oral Care & Teeth Whitening - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on teeth whitening services?
dpl Oral Care Light Therapy - This is the only teeth whitening system I’ve found that can be used with HSA / FSA funds. I believe the reason for this is because the primary use is for gum health. Per the FSAstore.com website, it’s “FDA-Cleared and Clinically Tested, OTC Class II Medical Device Used and Recommended by Dentists to Accelerate Gum Healing, Reduce Inflammation and Promoting Circulation.” dpl claims the dpl Oral Care Light Therapy Device will “Penetrate Deep into the Gum Tissue to Relieve Pain, Whiten Teeth and Freshen Breath.” Most teeth whitening systems focus their regulatory process on teeth whitening only, which is likely a limited process in my guess. I used to work for a Healthcare Tech start-up and know a little bit about the healthcare regulatory process. Not an expert at all, but that’s my best guess from a limited purview. In short, don’t buy just any teeth whitening system and expect to file a FSA / HSA claim. The dpl Oral Care Light Therapy is the only one I’ve seen so far. Stick to this one if you’re interested. You can purchase it on HSAstore.com, or the FSAstore.com.
18. Fertility Tracking - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on Mira? Can I use my FSA on Kegg? Can I use my FSA on fertility devices and ovulation tests?
If you’re family planning, there are some really amazing new tech devices out there for women to track their fertility. Mira is like the standard ovulation test sticks, but on steroids (or estrogen… hehe). You can insert their custom sticks into a tech device that pairs with a mobile app. After collecting regular data, you’ll have more accurate results around fertility. Try code WELCOME10 with Mira for 10% OFF. Kegg is similar to Mira, but does the same thing with a different data collection method. Kegg uses a kegal ball to monitor cervical fluid. Both seem like really cool tech advancements in fertility tracking. Of course, if these are too spendy, there are always good ol’ plain ovulation tests. All of these are fully covered under your FSA / Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account / HSA.
Promo Codes:
Mira: code WELCOME10 for 10% OFF
Kegg: code WELCOME for $50 OFF
19. High End Lotion - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on lotion? Can I use my FSA on Pipette?
This is one of my favorite things about my FSA and HSA funds. I have been officially diagnosed with eczema. There are so many people that suffer from eczema that have never been diagnosed. So, here’s the trick to load up on the good lotion with your FSA and HSA funds. Just make sure that the lotion or balm is intended for the treatment of eczema or psoriasis. So many lotions have those National Eczema Org or National Eczema Association labels off to the side. Fancier brands that you won’t find in the drug store, or that really value packaging may not have the label. As long as eczema or psoriasis are on the front label as an intended purpose, you’re golden. One of my favorite new brands is Pipette. Yes, their lotion is for babies. I still love it. You can check out my blog post on my favorite eczema and psoriasis lotions if you like. The FSA Store Lotions and Balms section is pretty robust as well. With all that hand sanitizer, I gotta keep those hands soft.
20. Cleansing Face Wipes - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on Neutrogena Makeup Wipes? Can I use my FSA on Neutrogena Face Wipes?
The Neutrogena Oil Free Cleansing Wipes This was an interesting one for me to learn. To be clear, the Neutrogena Makeup Cleansing Wipes that are in the blue packaging, the really popular best-selling ones. Those ones are NOT included as an FSA / HSA eligible expense. Why? My guess is that it’s because they’re not specific to acne. The Neutrogena Oil Free Cleansing Wipes Pink Grapefruit are listed in the Neutrogena acne line. I think they make great makeup removing cloths too. As a San Francisco HR Director, I gotta put my best face forward, and I love these wipes. You can buy them on FSAstore.com, HSAstore.com, Amazon, or directly from Neutrogena.
21. Aromatherapy Humidifier & Diffuser - Fully HSA / FSA Covered
Can I use my FSA on an oil diffuser? Can I use my FSA on a Humidifier?
Before you think that the super sexy and attractive diffuser you saw at target or on Grove is available via your HSA or FSA funds, they’re not. This is very much specific to the HealthSmart Diffuser because it’s actually classified as a dual purpose tech machine. The humidifier aspect of the product is what actually qualifies it as an HSA / FSA approved device. If you receive any pushback from your FSA administrator / HSA administrator, simply inform them it’s a humidifier. This one is a little hack to the system. You’re welcome!
Now that you’ve added an aromatherapy diffuser to your wellness routine, you may want to consider….
22. Massage Therapy & Acupuncture - FSA / HSA Covered with LMN
Can I use my FSA to get massages? Can I use my FSA to get a massage? Can I use my FSA on chiropractic?
As a HR Director, I need to unwind sometimes… A massage is a great way to do that. Before you proceed with charging expenses for massage and acupuncture to your FSA and HSA accounts, you’ll first need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). Even before that, you’ll want to know if your insurance covers either of these. You may only be responsible for a co-pay. With your LMN, after insurance, your payments could be minimal to get your zen on. I have sciatica, and so many people have or will develop back problems. It’s really not a hard thing for doctors to believe that you may need support. When taking a holistic approach to wellness vs pain medications, I don’t see many doctors pushing back on this… They should have your back…. Getting the puns yet? Ok, I’ll back off. ;)
I’m a HUGE fan of getting massages at home via a service where you can order massage therapists to come to your home through a website or an app, called Soothe. I’ve used Soothe for around 5 years for my general wellness, and before them, I used a company called Unwind Me for a couple years before they were acquired by Soothe. The cost is better, I get the full hour instead of 50 minutes. I can play music I like and light candles I like etc. You have the option to select a preferred gender if you feel unsafe. I always make sure my Husband is home and working in his office for an hour. He’s a Software Engineer, so putting headphones on to code for an hour while I get a massage isn’t a big ask. Also, I’m home and able to jump into my own shower and bed, without having to drive or have a groggy commute after my massage. It’s just amazing...really! I highly recommend booking a massage via Soothe for your wellness journey, if you can get a LMN from your doctor.
Thank you…
….so much for taking the time to review my recommendations for the best tech and wellness items to spend your money on in 2022! If you enjoyed these finds, you may enjoy my newsletter. Sign up HERE!
