Is an inversion table HSA or FSA eligible?

We research; we have not tested any table. Eligibility facts below come from the pages named in our sources, last checked 29 October 2026. We do not show prices on this site.

Is an inversion table HSA eligible?

Yes, with paperwork. Lively's eligible-expense list, which it says is maintained by HSA Store and FSA Store, says an inversion table is eligible for reimbursement with a letter of medical necessity. Teeter's own page says the same: you can use an HSA or FSA card, but the purchase has to meet the plan's idea of medical necessity.

The word "eligible" on those lists means "can qualify". It does not mean every plan will accept it for every buyer.

Is an inversion table FSA eligible?

Also yes with an LMN, but the type of FSA matters.

Account	Inversion table
HSA (health savings account)	Eligible with an LMN
Medical (health care) FSA	Eligible with an LMN
HRA (health reimbursement arrangement)	Eligible with an LMN
Limited-purpose FSA (dental and vision only)	Not eligible
Dependent care FSA	Not eligible

Source: Lively's list. Your employer decides which expenses your plan covers, so check your plan documents. If you are not sure which FSA you have, ask your benefits team before you order.

Why you need a letter of medical necessity

IRS Publication 502 defines medical expenses as the costs of diagnosing, treating or preventing disease. It also says medical care expenses must primarily alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness, and that expenses merely beneficial to general health do not count. An inversion table can be bought for fitness or comfort, so a plan wants evidence that yours is for a medical reason. The LMN is that evidence.

How to get a letter of medical necessity

1. Book a visit with your doctor. Teeter says the letter comes from a doctor recommending the table to treat a specific back condition. If your doctor does not think inversion suits you, that is useful to know too. Many people should not invert at all.
2. Ask what your plan wants first. Teeter notes that some plans require pre-approval before purchase, so contact your plan administrator about what documentation to get. Some administrators have their own form.
3. Ask for the letter in writing. It should name your condition, say that a table is recommended for it, and carry the doctor's signature and the date. Ask your administrator whether it needs anything more.
4. Submit it before you buy if pre-approval is needed. Teeter's advice is to keep careful records of every document, including the approval.
5. Keep copies of the letter, the approval and the receipt. If a plan or the IRS asks later, you need them.

Teeter says it does not approve or verify HSA or FSA purchases and takes no responsibility for an unauthorised expense.

How to pay: card at checkout or reimbursement

Option 1: pay with your HSA or FSA card. Teeter says you choose "HSA/FSA" at checkout on teeter.com. Elsewhere, enter the card like any debit card. This is simplest, but if your plan wants pre-approval, get it first. A card is not a guarantee: your administrator can still ask for the letter afterwards.

Option 2: pay yourself, then reimburse. Pay with another card, then submit a claim to your FSA or HRA administrator, or take a distribution from your HSA, if your plan allows it. Keep the itemised receipt and the LMN together. This works well when a seller does not accept HSA/FSA cards.

Either way, the plan, not the seller, decides whether the expense qualifies. If a purchase is later disallowed, you may have to repay the money, and for an HSA there can be tax consequences. Ask a tax adviser if in doubt.

Which tables are used for this

Teeter says its inversion tables are registered with the FDA as a medical device and are UL safety certified, and it promotes HSA and FSA purchases. That is the maker's claim, not proof that inversion works for you, and the registration is not what makes a purchase eligible: your LMN and plan are. Innova's page that we read does not make the same claim. The lists we read name "inversion table" as a category, not a brand, so ask your administrator how it treats other makers.

Check height and weight limits before you ask your doctor for a letter, because the letter names a product category, not your fit. See inversion table weight limits, how to choose an inversion table and is a Teeter worth it.

Timing: FSA deadlines and sales

Most FSAs are use-it-or-lose-it by the end of the plan year, though some allow a short grace period or a limited carryover. Your plan documents say which. If you are close to the deadline, start the LMN now, as getting an appointment is often the slow step. Sale periods can overlap with year-end FSA rushes: see our inversion table Black Friday guide for how to judge a real deal. Use your own price check, not a "was" price.

Common questions

Does insurance cover an inversion table? This page is about HSA, FSA and HRA money, which is your own pre-tax health money. Health insurance coverage is a separate question for your insurer.

Is a Teeter inversion table HSA eligible? Teeter says you can buy one with an HSA or FSA card, and that you may need a letter of medical necessity and, for some plans, pre-approval. It also says it does not verify approval for you.

Can I use an HSA for a mini inversion table? The lists we read name "inversion table" as a category and say nothing about size. Ask your plan administrator whether a smaller device falls under it, and get the LMN to name the exact product type.

Does an FSA cover inversion boots or a back stretcher? We did not find them on the lists we read. Ask your administrator before you buy.

What if my plan says no? Eligibility lists are a guide; plans can be stricter. If your plan refuses, you can still buy the table with after-tax money, if your doctor agrees it is right for you.

Before you buy

An inversion table is not for everyone, and eligibility does not mean it is safe for you. Teeter's manuals say not to use one without a licensed physician's approval. Our best inversion tables page covers the models we verified.