💡 Quick Answer: Normatec is HSA/FSA eligible because it helps prevent, manage, and reverse a variety of health conditions including lymphedema, venous insufficiency, and circulation disorders, and many others. According to IRS Publication 502, all you need is a Letter of Medical Necessity.
Luckily, we make it ridiculously simple. Crates Health is the fastest way to get your personalized and compliant letter for Normatec and thousands of other wellness products, plus we handle your reimbursements directly through our platform with just one click.
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What is Normatec
Normatec is the compression recovery system that makes you feel like you borrowed someone else’s legs, fresh ones that didn’t just crush leg day. Originally designed by an MD/PhD to help patients with circulation disorders, these space-age compression boots became the secret weapon of Olympic athletes and NBA teams before Hyperice acquired them and made them available to mere mortals. The Normatec 3 Legs ($799) uses dynamic air compression with their patented Pulse technology to systematically massage your legs through 7 levels of pressure across 5 overlapping zones, basically giving you the same lymphatic drainage treatment that costs $150+ at recovery clinics.
Here’s what makes Normatec different from those sketchy compression sleeves on Amazon: the system uses biomimicry to replicate your body’s natural muscle pumps and one-way valves, creating a peristaltic pulse pattern that actually moves fluid out of your limbs instead of just squeezing randomly. Users report averaging 15-20 seconds faster mile times after using them, with some seeing 1-2 extra miles of endurance. The setup is surprisingly simple: zip up the boots, connect to the control unit, fire up the Hyperice app, and choose from multiple recovery programs while you scroll TikTok for 20 minutes. Whether you’re recovering from marathons, surgery, or just standing at your desk all day, Normatec turns recovery from something you have to do into something you actually look forward to. Plus, they make versions for your arms and hips, because apparently your whole body deserves to feel this good.
Why Normatec Qualifies for HSA/FSA
According to IRS regulations, compression therapy devices can qualify as eligible medical expenses with a Letter of Medical Necessity under specific circumstances outlined in Publication 502.
IRS Publication 502 states that medical expenses are “the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for the purpose of affecting any part or function of the body,” but “must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental condition or illness.”
This means Normatec compression systems can qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement for prevention or treatment of:
- Lymphedema and fluid retention disorders
- Venous insufficiency and varicose veins
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prevention
- Peripheral artery disease
- Post-surgical swelling and recovery
- Diabetic neuropathy and circulation issues
- Chronic venous disorders
- Restless leg syndrome
The key requirement is that your healthcare provider must note the compression therapy system as medically necessary for managing your specific health condition, not just for athletic recovery. This documentation comes in the form of a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).
How to Assess Your Eligibility
Traditional Route: Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, discuss your circulation issues and recovery needs, and request a Letter of Medical Necessity if compression therapy is recommended as part of your treatment plan. This typically requires an office visit, potential wait times, and can cost $50-100+ depending on your insurance.
Faster, Smarter Route: Use Crates Health to get your Letter of Medical Necessity online in just a few minutes. Our platform connects you with licensed healthcare providers who can evaluate your conditions remotely and issue the appropriate documentation if you qualify. No office visits, no waiting weeks for appointments, and no surprise medical bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do other compression therapy systems qualify for HSA/FSA?
Absolutely! With the right medical documentation, you can potentially use HSA/FSA funds for other compression boots, medical compression garments, pneumatic compression devices, and circulation therapy equipment, as long as they’re recommended for treating specific medical conditions.
How does reimbursement work?
Some retailers accept HSA/FSA cards (most don’t though). When they don’t, you need to use your personal card and then reimburse yourself. This means finding and storing receipts and then uploading them and your LMN to your HSA/FSA admin portal. With Crates, we make this process simple: upload your receipt and get one-click reimbursements all from our platform.
What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?
A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is a document from a licensed healthcare provider that explains why a specific expense like your Normatec system is medically necessary for treating a diagnosed condition. It’s the official paperwork that proves your compression therapy isn’t just for athletic recovery. Each LMN typically remains valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Will my claim get denied?
Every HSA/FSA admin is unique and may initially deny some claims. Usually, it is related to receipt format (must be itemized), LMN format, or other supporting documentation. With Crates, we will support you through this process and make sure you get your money back.
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