Cold therapy
Cold therapy is eligible for HSA, FSA, and HRA funds when used to treat a specific medical condition, injury, or illness.
Eligibility Matrix
Eligibility status for all account types
| Account Type | Status |
|---|---|
| HSA | Eligible |
| FSA | Eligible |
| HRA | Eligible |
Requirements
The cold therapy must be used primarily for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body, rather than for general wellness or cosmetic purposes.
Quick Reference
Expenses paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body are considered qualified medical expenses. Cold therapy, such as ice packs, cold compresses, or specialized cold therapy devices, is commonly used to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with injuries, post-surgical recovery, or other medical conditions.
When It Qualifies
- •The cold therapy must be used to treat a specific medical condition, injury, or illness.
- •It must be primarily for medical care, not for general comfort, wellness, or cosmetic enhancement.
When It Doesn't
- •Expenses for cold therapy used solely for general wellness, athletic recovery without a specific injury, or cosmetic purposes are not eligible.
Official Source
IRS Publication 502
What Are Medical Expenses?
View on IRS.gov
Important Notice
- •Your specific plan may have different rules
- •Keep all receipts and documentation
- •This is informational only, not tax or legal advice
While this information is based on IRS guidelines, individual plan administrators may have specific requirements. Always retain detailed receipts and check with your plan administrator for confirmation. This information is for educational purposes only and not tax or legal advice.