FSA and HSA eligibility, in plain language.
General education on letters of medical necessity and reimbursement documentation. Your plan administrator makes the final eligibility decision.
- What is a letter of medical necessity (LMN)?A letter from a licensed clinician explaining why a specific treatment, service, or item is medically necessary for a specific patient's condition.
- Do I need a letter of medical necessity for FSA or HSA reimbursement?Not for most routine medical care. Administrators generally ask for one when an item or service is not clearly medical on its own.
- Can a letter of medical necessity be backdated?No. A letter should carry the date the clinician actually evaluated the patient and signed it.
- Who can write a letter of medical necessity?A licensed clinician who has evaluated you and is acting within their scope of practice.
- What is an NPI and why does it appear on a letter?A National Provider Identifier is a unique 10-digit number for a healthcare provider, and it lets an administrator verify the clinician.
- How long does a letter of medical necessity last?It depends on the plan administrator. Many accept a letter for a plan year; some ask for a new one for each purchase or condition change.
- Are telehealth visits eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement?Telehealth visits with a licensed provider are generally treated as medical care and are commonly reimbursable, subject to your plan.
- What documentation do FSA and HSA administrators usually need?An itemized receipt showing the date, provider or merchant, service or product, and amount, plus an LMN when the expense is not clearly medical.