💡 Quick Answer: Samsung Watch is HSA/FSA eligible because it helps prevent, manage, and reverse a variety of health conditions including hypertension, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and anxiety, 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 Samsung Galaxy Watch and thousands of other wellness products, plus we handle your reimbursements directly through our platform with just one click.
What is Samsung Galaxy Watch
Samsung Galaxy Watch is one of the most advanced smartwatches available, with multiple FDA-cleared health features. While most people think of it as a fitness tracker, Samsung Galaxy Watch is actually a clinical-grade health device with validated monitoring capabilities.
The health features are serious. FDA-cleared ECG for detecting atrial fibrillation. Sleep apnea detection that received FDA De Novo authorization in 2024 after clinical validation showing 82.7% sensitivity and 87.7% specificity in a 620-person study. Blood oxygen monitoring for respiratory conditions. Body composition analysis that measures body fat, skeletal muscle, and body water. Advanced sleep coaching with personalized insights. Fall detection with automatic emergency calling.
This isn’t marketing fluff. Samsung has submitted extensive clinical validation data to the FDA for multiple features. The FDA cleared Samsung’s irregular rhythm notification in May 2023 after reviewing clinical data. The sleep apnea detection feature received FDA clearance in February 2024 as the first smartwatch-based sleep apnea feature authorized by the FDA. That’s why Samsung Galaxy Watch qualifies for HSA and FSA reimbursement.
Why Samsung Galaxy Watch Qualifies for HSA/FSA Eligibility
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 Samsung Galaxy Watch can qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement when used for prevention or treatment of:
- Hypertension and cardiovascular disease – The only consumer smartwatch with FDA-cleared blood pressure monitoring, validated ECG, irregular heart rhythm notifications, and cardiovascular fitness tracking
- Sleep apnea – FDA-cleared sleep apnea detection that identifies moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, plus advanced sleep stage analysis and blood oxygen monitoring during sleep
- Atrial fibrillation – FDA-cleared ECG and irregular rhythm notifications that detect AFib with clinical accuracy
- Diabetes and pre-diabetes – Activity tracking for blood sugar management, medication reminders, and continuous glucose monitor integration (Dexcom G7)
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome – Body composition analysis, activity tracking, and calorie monitoring support medically supervised weight loss
- Mental health conditions – Heart rate variability monitoring, guided breathing exercises, stress tracking, and mindfulness features
- Fall risk and elderly care – Fall detection with automatic emergency calling, walking assessment, and medication reminders
The key requirement is that your healthcare provider must document the health monitoring device as medically necessary for managing your specific health condition, not just for general wellness. This documentation comes in the form of a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).
How to Get Your Samsung Galaxy Watch Approved
Traditional Route: Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, discuss your health conditions and monitoring needs, and request a Letter of Medical Necessity if continuous health tracking 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. And then you simply purchase the watch, upload your receipt, and reimbursement yourself in one-click directly from our platform. No more carrying your HSA/FSA card, no card declines at POS, and no messy receipt storage.
Which Samsung Galaxy Watch Models Are HSA/FSA Eligible
Every Samsung Galaxy Watch with health monitoring features qualifies for HSA/FSA reimbursement with proper documentation. Here’s what’s currently available:
Current Samsung Galaxy Watch Models (2024-2025)
| Model | Price | Key Health Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Watch7 | $299-$329 | ECG, blood pressure, sleep apnea detection, body composition | Latest features at mid-range price |
| Galaxy Watch Ultra | $649 | All health features plus military-grade durability, enhanced GPS | Extreme conditions and advanced health tracking |
| Galaxy Watch6 | $249-$329 | ECG, blood pressure, sleep tracking, body composition | Proven health monitoring at lower cost |
| Galaxy Watch FE | $199 | Heart rate, sleep tracking, basic health metrics | Budget-friendly entry point |
Important Note: The blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection features are currently available only on Galaxy Watch models in certain regions and require FDA clearance. Check Samsung’s regional availability guide for your location.
All current models include: 24/7 heart rate monitoring, irregular heart rhythm notifications, high and low heart rate alerts, cardio fitness tracking, sleep tracking with stages, fall detection, and body composition analysis (on most models).
Galaxy Watch7 and Ultra add: FDA-cleared ECG app, blood pressure monitoring, sleep apnea detection, and skin temperature sensing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are other smartwatches HSA/FSA eligible?
Yes. With proper medical documentation, you can use HSA/FSA funds for Garmin watches, Fitbit, Whoop, Oura Ring, Ultrahuman Ring and other health-tracking wearables when they’re recommended for treating specific medical conditions.
How does the reimbursement process work?
Samsung doesn’t accept HSA/FSA cards directly in their stores or online. You’ll purchase with your personal card, save your receipt, then submit the receipt and LMN for reimbursement through your HSA/FSA administrator. With Crates Health, we simplify this process: upload your receipt and get one-click reimbursements directly through our platform.
Does Samsung Galaxy Watch work with iPhone?
Yes, but with limited functionality. Samsung Galaxy Watch works best with Android phones where you get full access to all health features including blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection. On iPhone, basic features work but some advanced health monitoring may be restricted.
What is a Letter of Medical Necessity?
A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is documentation from a licensed healthcare provider explaining why Samsung Galaxy Watch is medically necessary for preventing or treating a diagnosed condition. It’s the official paperwork proving your smartwatch isn’t just for general fitness. Each LMN typically remains valid for 12 months.
Will my HSA/FSA claim get denied?
With Crates, it rarely happens. 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 make sure you get reimbursed.
Can I use my HSA/FSA for Samsung Galaxy Watch bands and accessories?
Generally, no. HSA/FSA funds cover the device itself when it’s medically necessary, but accessories like bands, cases, and chargers typically don’t qualify unless they’re essential to the medical function. However, many other wellness products qualify such as saunas & cold plunges, supplements, gyms & fitness, health tech, mental health, and sleep tech.
Does Galaxy Watch FE qualify for HSA even without blood pressure monitoring?
Yes. While the FE lacks blood pressure and sleep apnea features, it still includes 24/7 heart rate monitoring, irregular rhythm notifications, fall detection, and sleep tracking. These features alone can justify medical necessity for many conditions.
