Is HigherDose HSA/FSA Eligible? Yes, Here’s How!
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Is HigherDose HSA/FSA Eligible? Yes, Here’s How!

· 7 min read HSA/FSA Eligibility

Quick Answer:

Yes, HigherDOSE is HSA/FSA eligible. You just need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a licensed healthcare provider. Under IRS Publication 502, therapeutic devices and treatments qualify when used to prevent, manage, or reverse conditions like chronic pain, inflammation, or stress-related disorders.

Crates Health makes this easy. Get your personalized, compliant LMN and handle your reimbursement in one click.

Key Takeaways

  • HigherDose HSA/FSA Eligible? Yes, Here’s How! is HSA/FSA eligible when used to treat or prevent a diagnosed medical condition
  • You need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a healthcare provider to use pre-tax health funds for HigherDose HSA/FSA Eligible? Yes, Here’s How!
  • Common qualifying conditions include chronic back pain, arthritis, sleep disorders
  • Crates Health streamlines the entire process — get approved in minutes and save 30%+ with pre-tax dollars
  • Per IRS Publication 502, expenses for treatment or prevention of a specific condition qualify as medical expenses

What is HigherDose

Higher Dose is the wellness tech company that’s basically bringing spa-level recovery tools to your living room, minus the spa prices and pretentious atmosphere. Founded to make cutting-edge wellness technologies accessible to everyone, Higher Dose specializes in infrared therapy, PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) technology, and red light therapy devices that have become the secret weapons of celebrities, biohackers, and anyone serious about recovery.

Their flagship Infrared Sauna Blanket has become a cult favorite among stars like Miranda Kerr, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Amy Schumer, and for good reason. Unlike cheap knockoffs that fry you with EMF radiation, Higher Dose’s low-EMF design delivers the benefits of far infrared heat therapy safely and effectively. A systematic review published in the Journal of Photomedicine and Laser Surgery found that far-infrared therapy produces both thermal and non-thermal effects, including increasing blood flow, improving endothelial function, and alleviating fatigue and pain. The product line also includes Red Light Face Masks for skin health, PEMF mats for recovery and grounding, and full-spectrum infrared saunas. Each device is designed to boost your body’s natural production of dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins (aka your “DOSE”) while supporting everything from muscle recovery to mood enhancement to glowing skin.

Why HigherDose Qualifies for HSA/FSA Eligibility

According to IRS regulations, therapeutic wellness 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 Higher Dose devices can qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement for preventing, managing, or reversing:

  • Chronic pain and inflammation disorders: A systematic review in Bioengineering found that infrared radiation has “significant potential in reducing musculoskeletal pain” and can serve as “a promising complementary treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including knee osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, chronic myofascial syndrome, and sacroiliitis.” A randomized controlled trial found that infrared therapy reduced chronic low back pain by 56% compared to 19% with placebo.
  • Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: Research published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that patients with fibromyalgia showed significant improvements in VAS pain scores (p < 0.001), reduced symptoms on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (p < 0.001), and improved quality of life after infrared sauna therapy. A review in Canadian Family Physician found fair evidence supporting far-infrared sauna therapy for chronic pain and preliminary evidence for chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • Arthritis and joint pain conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis found that PEMF therapy significantly reduces pain (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.08-1.34, p=0.03) and improves physical function in patients with osteoarthritis compared to control interventions. The study concluded that “PEMF therapy ameliorates OA symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and physical function in patients compared to other conservative treatments.”
  • Muscle recovery and sports medicine needs: Research shows that far-infrared therapy improves recovery by increasing blood flow and promoting tissue healing. Post-exercise infrared sauna sessions have been shown to improve recovery of neuromuscular performance and reduce muscle soreness after resistance training.
  • Circulation disorders: Far-infrared therapy has been shown to alleviate tissue ischemia, increase blood flow, and promote angiogenesis. Research demonstrates that infrared therapy can improve peripheral circulation by releasing nitric oxide, which increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues.
  • Skin conditions requiring light therapy: A systematic review of 31 randomized controlled trials in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine found that LED light therapy (including red and near-infrared light) demonstrates efficacy for acne vulgaris, wound healing, and skin rejuvenation with “few incidences of adverse events.” A controlled trial found that red and near-infrared light treatment significantly improved skin texture, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, and increased intradermal collagen density.
  • Stress-related disorders and anxiety: A comprehensive review found that passive heat therapies including far-infrared sauna treatments “improve the mental symptoms and the quality of life in patients with chronic conditions.” Research shows that 4 weeks of infrared sauna therapy decreased somatic and mental complaints and produced a relaxation effect in patients with mild depression and anxiety.
  • Sleep disorders and insomnia: Research in the Ageing Research Reviews found that sauna bathing increased the amount of deep sleep significantly – during the first two hours, deep sleep increased by over 70%, while during the first six hours the figure was 45%. The Global Sauna Survey found that most sauna bathers reported improvements in sleep lasting 1-2 nights after using a sauna, with relaxation and stress reduction being the most cited motivation.

The key requirement is that your healthcare provider must note the therapeutic device as medically necessary for preventing, managing, or reversing your specific health condition, not just for general wellness. 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 therapeutic needs and device requirements, and request a Letter of Medical Necessity if infrared/PEMF 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.

Check your HigherDose Eligibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Do other wellness and recovery devices qualify for HSA/FSA?

Absolutely! With the right medical documentation, you can potentially use HSA/FSA funds for red light therapy devices , PEMF mats, massage devices like Theragun , Hyperice compression therapy tools , and other therapeutic wellness equipment, as long as they're recommended for preventing, managing, or reversing specific medical conditions. Related guides: Theragun (https://www.crateshealth.com/blog/hsa-fsa-eligibility/therabody/), Hyperice (https://www.crateshealth.com/blog/hsa-fsa-eligibility/hyperice/)

How does reimbursement work?

Some retailers accept HSA/FSA cards directly, but most don't. When they don't, you need to use your personal card and then reimburse yourself. This means finding and storing itemized receipts and then uploading them along with your LMN to your HSA/FSA admin portal. With Crates Health , we simplify this entire process: upload your itemized 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 Higher Dose device is medically necessary for preventing, managing, or reversing a diagnosed condition. It's the official paperwork that proves your therapeutic device isn't just for general wellness. Each LMN typically remains valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Related guides: Higher Dose (https://www.crateshealth.com/blog/hsa-fsa-eligibility/higherdose/)

Will my claim get denied?

With proper documentation, denials are rare. That said, every HSA/FSA administrator is different, and some may initially deny claims due to receipt format, LMN documentation, or unclear medical necessity. Crates Health supports you through any denials and makes sure you get reimbursed.

Do I need a separate LMN for each Higher Dose product?

Best practice is one product, one condition per LMN. For example: Infrared Sauna Blanket + chronic pain management = strongest approval odds. If you're purchasing multiple Higher Dose products for different conditions, you may need multiple LMNs for the strongest claims. Crates Health makes it easy to get multiple LMNs through our platform. Related guides: Higher Dose (https://www.crateshealth.com/blog/hsa-fsa-eligibility/higherdose/)

How long does it take to get an LMN through Crates Health?

Most users complete the process in just a few minutes. Our platform connects you with licensed healthcare providers who can evaluate your health conditions remotely and issue appropriate documentation if you qualify. No office visits, no appointment waits, no surprise bills.

Anchor Ebanks

Written by

Anchor Ebanks

Anchor Ebanks is an HSA/FSA optimization expert featured in Yahoo Finance, The American Journal of Healthcare Strategy, Admissions Gateway, and Poets & Quants. He attended Harvard Business School and was an AI research fellow at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society focused on healthcare access. Prior to wellness benefits, he spent nearly a decade at Google, YouTube, and Deloitte. Connect on LinkedIn, Twitter, or at anchor@crateshealth.com.