Wellness & prevention
Is meditation & wellness apps FSA eligible?
Usually not — meditation and general-wellness apps are FSA eligible only with a letter of medical necessity tied to a diagnosed condition.
Calm, Headspace, and similar subscriptions are general wellbeing by default, so they don't qualify on their own. A letter of medical necessity for a diagnosed condition (e.g., an anxiety disorder) persuades some administrators. Actual teletherapy with a licensed provider is different — that's eligible medical care, no letter needed.
Before you buy: get the letter first
- Ask your doctor for a letter of medical necessity that names the condition and why this is treatment, and keep it on file.
- Then pay with your FSA/HSA card or file a claim with the letter attached. Buying before you have the letter risks a denied claim.
Does the same answer apply to an HSA?
Yes. FSAs and HSAs share the same qualified-medical-expense rules (IRS Publication 502), so eligibility is identical. The difference is the deadline: FSA money is forfeited at the end of the plan year, while HSA money never expires.
Last reviewed 2026-06-11. Based on IRS Publication 502 and published IRS guidance. Not tax or medical advice — your plan administrator has the final say.