Candor

Is Cold plunges & saunas HSA-eligible?

Only with a Letter of Medical Necessity

Recovery equipment is general wellness unless an LMN ties it to treatment of a diagnosed condition — and even then, expect scrutiny.

IRS authority

IRS Pub. 502 (general-health exclusion); LMN pathway

How to get covered

  1. Qualifying conditionsrheumatoid arthritis, chronic tendinopathy, or another diagnosed inflammatory or musculoskeletal condition
  2. What the letter must saythat cold-water immersion or sauna therapy treats that named condition, rather than supporting recovery in general
  3. How to askAsk the specialist managing the condition rather than a general-practice visit — these claims draw more scrutiny than most, and a rheumatologist naming the diagnosis carries far more weight.

How LMNs work — timing, renewal, and storing it with the receipt →

Category: Recovery · Bucket B (Eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity)

Got an LMN?

Log the receipt now so you have proof when you claim it back.

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Informational only — not tax, legal, or medical advice. Consult a qualified tax professional about your situation. Rules version 2026-08-15, last verified July 2026.

All eligibility answers · Candor — the HSA shoebox