How to Use Your FSA or HSA at American Wellness Authority

AWA and FSA/HSA: Everything You Need to Know

American Wellness Authority accepts FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) payments directly at checkout for our FSA/HSA-eligible devices. This page covers how to complete your purchase using pre-tax health funds, what to do if you run into issues, and how pre-tax dollars can make an AWA device more affordable.

Which AWA Products Are FSA/HSA Eligible?

The following AWA red light therapy and wellness devices are sold as FSA/HSA-eligible medical equipment when purchased for a qualifying therapeutic purpose. Always confirm current eligibility at checkout or with your plan administrator, since coverage can vary by plan:

• AWA FX300 panel — compact red and near-infrared therapy panel ($199.99); for pain management, skin therapy, and targeted treatment applications
• AWA FX500 panel — full-size panel ($269.99); for muscle recovery, full-body pain management, and comprehensive phototherapy
• AWA FX35 mini panel — portable mini panel ($199.99); same use cases as above
• AWA LX300 LED face mask ($239.99) — FDA 510(k) cleared for face wrinkles and mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne
• AWA LX500 LED face mask ($279.99) — FDA 510(k) cleared for face wrinkles and inflammatory acne, with multiple cleared light modes
• AWA 5D 7-color mask ($289.99) — multi-wavelength LED wellness device for skincare routines (not FDA cleared)
• AWA HL300 portable far-infrared sauna blanket ($159.99) — wellness device for whole-body recovery and relaxation
• AWA HL500 premium far-infrared sauna blanket ($399.99) — 95–185°F adjustable temperature
• AWA MX300 far-infrared heating mat ($399.99) — amethyst + tourmaline crystal heating mat
• AWA Red Light Therapy Slippers ($199.99) — targeted wearable for foot, toe, and heel pain
• AWA Red Light Therapy Belt ($119.99) — vibrating wearable for back, knee, waist, and shoulder pain
• AWA Handheld device / 3-in-1 Torch ($199.99 / $84.99) — portable spot treatment

Why These Devices Are Typically Eligible

FSA and HSA funds can generally be used for expenses that "diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease, or affect any structure or function of the body" (IRS Publication 502). Red light therapy devices are widely sold under this standard because:

• Many red/NIR light therapy devices, including several AWA panels, are marketed under FDA guidance for temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain
• The LX300 and LX500 are FDA 510(k) cleared for face wrinkles and inflammatory acne
• Light therapy equipment is a well-established category of FSA/HSA-eligible medical devices

None of this guarantees any specific plan will approve any specific purchase — eligibility ultimately comes down to your plan's own rules. When in doubt, check with your plan administrator before you buy.

How to Pay at Checkout

Using Your FSA/HSA Debit Card

1. Add your AWA device to cart and proceed to checkout at awarlt.com
2. Select "Credit/Debit Card" as your payment method
3. Enter your FSA or HSA card details — these cards look and function like standard Visa or Mastercard debit cards
4. Complete your order

Most transactions on our FSA/HSA-eligible products process without any extra steps. Card acceptance ultimately depends on your specific card issuer and plan, so an occasional decline doesn't necessarily mean a product isn't eligible.

If Your FSA Card Is Declined

Occasionally, FSA cards decline transactions if the merchant's category code isn't on the card's pre-approved list. If this happens:

1. Complete your purchase with a regular credit or debit card
2. Save your AWA order confirmation email and/or invoice
3. Log in to your FSA or HSA administrator's online portal and submit a reimbursement claim, attaching your order receipt as documentation
4. Funds are typically returned to your linked bank account within a few business days, though timing varies by administrator

This is the same reimbursement process used for most other eligible out-of-pocket expenses, though the exact steps and timeline depend on your specific plan.

Getting a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)

Some FSA plans, particularly for larger employers, ask for a Letter of Medical Necessity for devices that aren't automatically pre-approved. An LMN is a brief letter from a licensed healthcare provider confirming that the device is recommended for a specific health condition.

AWA doesn't write or sign LMNs ourselves — that has to come from a licensed provider's own clinical judgment. For products flagged as "dual-use," our checkout (powered by Flex) can connect you with a licensed doctor through a 24/7 chat to review your situation, so you don't have to book a separate appointment just to get the paperwork started. Whether a letter gets issued is still up to the doctor's own assessment, not something AWA or Flex can guarantee. For a full walkthrough of when you actually need an LMN and what a strong one includes, see our Letter of Medical Necessity guide.

FSA vs. HSA: Which Should You Use?

Use FSA Funds First (If You Have Both)

If you have both an FSA and an HSA, it's often worth spending FSA funds first. FSA accounts are typically "use it or lose it" — funds not spent by your plan's year-end deadline (often December 31, sometimes with a grace period into the following spring) are forfeited depending on your employer's plan. HSA funds roll over indefinitely.

HSA as a Long-Term Health Investment

Some HSA plans let your balance grow tax-advantaged and be invested once it crosses a threshold (commonly $1,000–$2,000, depending on the plan). There's a reasonable case for letting HSA funds accumulate for larger future health expenses. There's also a reasonable case for using HSA funds now on a device you'll use regularly. Which makes more sense depends on your own financial situation, so it's worth thinking through rather than treating either path as automatically "correct."

What Pre-Tax Spending Can Mean for Your Cost

Because FSA/HSA contributions come out of your paycheck before income and payroll taxes, spending pre-tax dollars effectively lowers what a purchase costs you compared to paying with after-tax money. As an illustrative example only: someone in a combined roughly 30–35% marginal tax position (federal plus payroll and state taxes) might effectively pay somewhere in that range less than the sticker price when using pre-tax funds. Your own savings depend on your income, tax bracket, and state — this isn't a guaranteed discount for every buyer, and it isn't tax advice. A tax professional or your plan administrator can walk through your specific numbers.

Contact Us with FSA/HSA Questions

If you have questions about FSA/HSA eligibility for specific AWA products, or need documentation like an itemized receipt for your reimbursement claim, contact AWA customer support at contact@awarlt.com. We're familiar with common FSA/HSA requirements and can provide the documentation most plan administrators ask for — but for anything specific to your plan's rules, your plan administrator or a tax professional is the authoritative source.

Lights on, pain off.

This article is for general education and is not medical or tax advice. Red light therapy devices are intended for general wellness and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. FSA/HSA eligibility and tax outcomes vary by plan and by individual circumstances — always confirm with your plan administrator or a qualified tax professional, and check with a healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.