A letter of medical necessity (LMN) is a document that a licensed medical provider can give a patient to assist with getting certain medical expenses covered by their flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA). The document would detail why the doctor felt it was medically necessary for their patient to receive a specific treatment or purchase a medical device / product. The patient would have to provide the LMN to their FSA or HSA benefit account manager for reimbursement.
Some examples may include if your doctor needs you to take specific supplements due to a vitamin deficiency, or specific exercise equipment for physical therapy recovery.
Who writes a letter of medical necessity?
If you’re thinking of obtaining an letter of medical necessity for a product or service that your doctor doesn’t believe is medically necessary, you should think twice. The IRS recently released a statement about their concerns with brands who are advertising services where virtual doctors can write you an LMN. These services offer the ability to obtain a letter of medical necessity after answering a brief questionnaire about your medical history. The IRS recommends asking for a letter of medical necessity for an in-person or virtual doctor that you already have an established relationship with, for example your primary care physician.
What does a letter of medical necessity need to include?
Your doctor or licensed health professional will need to outline why a certain product or service is medically necessary treatment. The doctor will likely need to include your name, diagnosis, medical history, and relationship to the customer.
Top online brands that accept Letters of Medical Necessity
Ice Barrel
Ice Barrel specializes in producing innovative cold therapy products for their customers, mainly through their line of cold plunge barrels. The Ice Barrel is designed to provide users with a drug-free alternative to pain relief medicine through the benefits of cold therapy. Users have reported benefits such as reduced inflammation, improved circulation, and enhanced muscle recovery. Since it is more of a health and wellness, muscle recovery device, these items are typically not eligible for FSA and HSA reimbursements.
Ice barrel partnered with Truemed to provide LMNs to customers who purchase the Ice Barrel. You will have to purchase an Ice Barrel before you fill out a letter of medical necessity survey provided by Truemed.
Higher Dose
HigherDOSE offers a unique at-home spa experience blending wellness, health, and beauty through innovative infrared devices. HigherDose’s products typically are not FSA or HSA eligible, however they have a service which would allow you to obtain a letter of medical necessity (LMN). They partnered with Truemed to provide LMNs to customers who purchase higher dose products on their website.
Their flagship Infrared Sauna Blanket provides the benefits of sweating without the workout, promoting relaxation, pain relief, and glowing skin. The Infrared PEMF Mat combines infrared heat with PEMF technology for deeper relaxation and stress reduction. Portable options like the Infrared PEMF Go Mat and the Red Light Face Mask cater to on-the-go relaxation and skin rejuvenation. Recognized in publications like Allure and Cosmopolitan, HigherDOSE stands out for its commitment to holistic well-being and innovative beauty solutions.
