Sauna and Cold Plunge

Yes, saunas and cold plunges may be HSA/FSA eligible for qualified customers when accompanied by a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). They aren't on the IRS's standard list of qualified medical expenses, so eligibility depends on a licensed clinician confirming the product is medically necessary to treat, mitigate, or prevent a diagnosed condition. With an LMN, qualified customers can use pre-tax HSA/FSA dollars on traditional saunas, infrared saunas, cold plunges, and ice baths from Truemed partner brands, saving an average of 30% on the purchase. HSA/FSA tax savings vary; learn more at truemed.com/disclosures.

Eligibility is contingent on your personal health history and needs and requires substantiation by licensed medical professional. Conditions that may support medical necessity for sauna and cold plunge therapy commonly include chronic pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, joint stiffness, cardiovascular concerns, high blood pressure, poor circulation, chronic inflammation, sleep disturbances, anxiety, chronic stress, and musculoskeletal recovery needs. General goals like wanting to relax or feel refreshed do not, on their own, meet the IRS standard for HSA/FSA eligibility as there needs to be a documented medical reason that goes beyond general wellness.

Yes, infrared saunas may be eligible for HSA/FSA spending for qualified customers when supported by a Letter of Medical Necessity. The same rules apply to infrared saunas as to traditional saunas meaning the IRS doesn't automatically classify them as qualified medical expenses, but a licensed clinician can issue an LMN when the sauna is medically necessary. Truemed partners with leading infrared sauna brands including Sunlighten and Sun Home Saunas, among others.

Cold plunges may be eligible for HSA/FSA spending for qualified customers when a licensed clinician determines the product is medically necessary for a specific health condition. When you shop cold plunge brands like Plunge, Nuvio, The Pod Company, Polar Dive USA, Desert Plunge, or Fire Cold Plunge through Truemed, the qualification process is built into checkout.

Typically, yes. Saunas and cold plunges are not automatically eligible under IRS Publication 502, which defines qualified medical expenses as products or services used to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease. An LMN from a licensed clinician documents the medical necessity tying the product to your diagnosed condition, which is what makes the purchase eligible for HSA/FSA payment or reimbursement.

Qualified customers save an average of about 30% when paying with pre-tax HSA/FSA dollars instead of after-tax money. HSA/FSA tax savings vary; learn more at truemed.com/disclosures.

Because saunas and cold plunges are big-ticket purchases, the dollar savings can be substantial. On a $7,000 sauna, a 30% effective savings rate works out to roughly $2,100 back in your pocket compared to paying with a regular debit or credit card. Actual savings vary based on your effective tax rate.