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Using Your HSA/FSA to Purchase Nuropod: Complete Guide

Overview

Nuropod is eligible for purchase using Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds through our partnership with TrueMed. This means you can use pre-tax dollars to invest in your vagus nerve health, potentially saving up to 30% on your purchase.

This guide explains how HSA/FSA eligibility works, how to use TrueMed at checkout, what the savings mean for you, and answers common questions.


What Does HSA/FSA Eligibility Mean?

What HSA/FSA does

HSA and FSA accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses. Traditionally, these funds were limited to obvious medical costs like prescriptions, doctor visits, and medical equipment. However, with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN), many wellness and preventive health products (including Nuropod) can qualify as eligible medical expenses.

Why Nuropod Qualifies

Nuropod is a clinically validated vagus nerve stimulation device that has been shown to help with:

  • Stress and anxiety management

  • Sleep quality improvement

  • Fatigue and energy levels

  • Inflammation reduction

  • Heart rate variability (HRV) improvement

  • Overall nervous system function

When used to mitigate symptoms of specific medical conditions, Nuropod qualifies as a medical expense under IRS guidelines with proper documentation (the Letter of Medical Necessity).


Understanding Your 30% Savings ( How Pre-Tax Benefits Work)

What "30% Savings" Actually Means

When you use HSA/FSA funds, you're paying with pre-tax dollars instead of after-tax income. This means you avoid paying taxes on the money used for your purchase. The "approximately 30% savings" represents the average combined tax burden that most Americans pay.

Tax Breakdown

Your actual savings come from avoiding three types of taxes:

1. Federal Income Tax

  • Varies based on your tax bracket (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, or 37%)

  • Most people fall into the 12-24% range

2. State Income Tax (if applicable)

  • Varies by state (0% to ~13%)

  • Most states: 3-6%

  • No state income tax in: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming

3. FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare)

  • 6.2% for Social Security

  • 1.45% for Medicare

  • Total FICA: 7.65% for most workers

Calculating Your Personal Savings

Here are examples of total tax savings for different situations:

Example 1: Moderate Income

  • Federal tax bracket: 22%

  • State tax: 5%

  • FICA: 7.65%

  • Total savings: 34.65%

Example 2: Lower Income

  • Federal tax bracket: 12%

  • State tax: 4%

  • FICA: 7.65%

  • Total savings: 23.65%

Example 3: Higher Income

  • Federal tax bracket: 32%

  • State tax: 6%

  • FICA: 7.65%

  • Total savings: 45.65%

Example 4: No State Tax State

  • Federal tax bracket: 24%

  • State tax: 0%

  • FICA: 7.65%

  • Total savings: 31.65%

What This Means for Your Nuropod Purchase

At 30% savings:

  • Without HSA/FSA: Need to earn $1,286 in pre-tax income

  • With HSA/FSA: Only need $900 in pre-tax income

  • Your savings: $386 (equivalent to 30% off)

The higher your tax bracket, the more you save by using HSA/FSA funds.


How to Purchase Nuropod with HSA/FSA Through TrueMed

Method 1: Pay Directly at Checkout (Recommended)

This is the simplest method if you have an HSA/FSA debit card.

Step 1: Add Nuropod to Your Cart

  • Shop normally on nuropod.com

  • Add your desired products to cart

Step 2: Select TrueMed at Checkout

  • At checkout, select TrueMed as your payment method

  • You'll be redirected to the TrueMed platform

Step 3: Complete Health Survey

  • Answer a brief health questionnaire (typically 5-10 minutes)

  • Questions cover your health goals and how Nuropod will be used

  • Be honest and thorough—this helps the licensed provider assess medical necessity

Step 4: Pay with HSA/FSA Card

  • Enter your HSA or FSA debit card information

Step 5: Provider Review

  • A licensed healthcare provider reviews your survey responses

  • If approved, they issue a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)

  • This typically takes 24-48 hours

  • The LMN will be emailed to you for your records

Step 6: Order Completion

  • If approved: Your order processes and ships normally

  • If not approved: Your purchase is refunded, and you can complete the order using a regular payment method

Method 2: Pay Now, Reimburse Later

If you don't have an HSA/FSA card or prefer to pay with a regular credit/debit card:

Step 1-3: Same as above (add to cart, select TrueMed, complete survey)

Step 4: Pay with Credit/Debit Card

  • Complete purchase with your regular payment method

Step 5: Receive Your LMN

  • If approved, you'll receive your Letter of Medical Necessity via email

  • Save this document along with your purchase receipt

Step 6: Submit for Reimbursement

  • Log into your HSA/FSA administrator's portal

  • Submit a claim with your receipt and LMN

  • If you;d like an invoice as supporting documentation, our team can help

  • Reimbursement typically processes within 1-2 weeks

  • You'll receive the funds back to your bank account or HSA/FSA card


The Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)

What Is an LMN?

A Letter of Medical Necessity is a document from a licensed healthcare provider that certifies a product or service is medically necessary to treat, mitigate, or prevent a specific medical condition. This documentation makes your purchase eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement under IRS regulations.

What's Included in the LMN

Your LMN will include:

  • Your name and date

  • Provider's credentials and signature

  • Statement of medical necessity

  • Description of your condition(s) being treated

  • How Nuropod addresses these conditions

  • Confirmation that the expense qualifies under IRS Section 213(d)

How Long Is It Valid?

Letters of Medical Necessity are typically valid for 12 months. After that period, you would need to complete a new health assessment if making additional HSA/FSA purchases.

Important: Keep Your Documentation

You must retain:

  • Your Letter of Medical Necessity

  • Your purchase receipt

  • Any other supporting documentation

Your HSA/FSA administrator or the IRS may request these documents during an audit. Store them securely for at least 7 years.


Eligibility Requirements

Do You Have an HSA or FSA?

Health Savings Account (HSA):

  • You must be enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)

  • You cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return

  • You cannot be enrolled in Medicare

  • Contribution limits for 2026: $4,400 (individual) or $8,750 (family)

  • Additional $1,000 catch-up contribution if age 55+

Flexible Spending Account (FSA):

  • Offered through your employer's benefits program

  • Contribution limits for 2026: Up to $3,400

  • Most FSA funds must be used within the plan year ("use it or lose it")

  • Some plans allow up to $680 carryover to the next year or a 2.5-month grace period

Not sure if you have one? Check with your employer's HR or benefits department, or review your benefits enrollment documents.

Who Qualifies for TrueMed Approval?

To receive a Letter of Medical Necessity for Nuropod, you should be using the device to:

  • Mitigate symptoms of a diagnosed medical condition

  • Address specific health symptoms or challenges

  • Support your nervous system health and overall wellness goals

Common HSA / FSA qualifying conditions include:

  • Chronic stress or anxiety

  • Sleep disorders or poor sleep quality

  • Fatigue or low energy

  • Chronic pain or inflammation

  • Autonomic nervous system dysfunction

  • Post-viral fatigue or similar conditions

The licensed provider will review your individual circumstances to determine if Nuropod is medically necessary for your situation.


Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: Is there a fee to use TrueMed? A: TrueMed charges a small service fee at the end of the qualification survey. This fee covers the healthcare provider review and LMN issuance.

Q: What happens if I'm not approved for a Letter of Medical Necessity? A: If the licensed provider determines that Nuropod is not medically necessary for your situation, you will not receive an LMN. If you paid with an HSA/FSA card, your transaction will be reversed. You can still purchase Nuropod using a regular payment method.

Q: Can I use TrueMed for multiple Nuropod purchases? A: Yes, once you have a valid LMN, you can use it for additional eligible purchases during its validity period (typically 12 months). However, you'll need to keep documentation for each transaction.

Q: Does using TrueMed delay my order? A: No. If you're approved for an LMN, your order processes and ships normally. The LMN review happens concurrently with order processing.

Payment Questions

Q: Can I use both HSA/FSA and a credit card for the same purchase? A: Yes! TrueMed allows you to split payments. For example, if you have $300 in your FSA and Nuropod costs $900, you can pay $300 with your FSA card and $600 with a credit card.

Q: What if I don't have enough in my HSA/FSA account?

A: You have three options:

  1. Split payment (use HSA/FSA for partial amount, credit card for remainder)

  2. Pay with credit card and submit for partial reimbursement later

  3. Wait to purchase until you've contributed more to your account

Q: Can I use my spouse's HSA/FSA? A: Yes, if you're listed as an eligible dependent on their account. HSA and FSA funds can be used for qualified medical expenses for you, your spouse, and eligible dependents.

FSA-Specific Questions

Q: My FSA expires at the end of the year. Should I use it for Nuropod? A: FSA funds typically follow a "use it or lose it" policy. If you have unused funds approaching your plan year end, using them for an eligible Nuropod purchase is an excellent way to avoid forfeiting that money. Check your specific plan's carryover or grace period rules.

Q: Can I buy Nuropod as a gift and use my HSA/FSA? A: No. HSA/FSA funds can only be used for qualified medical expenses for you, your spouse, or your eligible dependents. The person using the Nuropod must be the one with the medical necessity.

Documentation & Reimbursement Questions

Q: How do I submit for reimbursement if I paid with a regular card? A:

  1. Log into your HSA/FSA administrator's online portal

  2. Navigate to "Submit a Claim" or "Request Reimbursement"

  3. Upload your purchase receipt and Letter of Medical Necessity

  4. Submit the claim

  5. Reimbursement typically processes within 1-2 weeks

Q: What if my HSA/FSA administrator rejects my claim? A: First, ensure you submitted both the receipt and the Letter of Medical Necessity. Some administrators have specific form requirements. Contact TrueMed support ([email protected]) for assistance—they can help re-issue your LMN on your administrator's specific form if needed.

Q: Do I need to submit the LMN every time I use my HSA/FSA card? A: Not usually at the point of purchase. However, you must keep the LMN on file with your other tax records. Your HSA/FSA administrator or the IRS may request it during an audit or review.

Tax Questions

Q: Does the 30% savings apply to everyone? A: The 30% is an average. Your actual savings depend on your federal tax bracket, state tax rate, and FICA taxes. Lower earners might save 20-25%, while higher earners could save 35-45% or more.

Q: Do I need to report my Nuropod purchase anywhere special? A: Keep your receipt and LMN with your tax records. You don't need to report individual purchases, but you should be prepared to provide documentation if requested during an audit.

Product-Specific Questions

Q: Are Nuropod accessories also HSA/FSA eligible? A: Our accessories (earpiece & charger) are necessary for the use of your Nuropod device and so they are eligible.

Q: Can I buy multiple Nuropods with HSA/FSA (for example, for different family members)? A: Each family member would need their own Letter of Medical Necessity. You can use your HSA/FSA for eligible dependents, but each person must have documentation showing medical necessity for their individual device.

TrueMed Process Questions

Q: How long does the health survey take? A: Most customers complete the survey in 5-10 minutes. Take your time to provide thorough, accurate responses.

Q: What if I make a mistake on my health survey? A: Contact TrueMed support immediately ([email protected]) if you need to correct information before the provider review.

Q: Is my health information kept private? A: Yes. TrueMed complies with HIPAA regulations and maintains strict privacy standards. Your health information is used solely for determining medical necessity.

Q: Can I see my LMN before completing the purchase? A: The LMN is issued after the healthcare provider reviews your survey, which happens after you've initiated the purchase. However, if you're not approved, the transaction is reversed (if paid via HSA/FSA card) or you can choose not to submit for reimbursement (if paid via credit card).


Need Additional Help?

TrueMed Support

For questions about the TrueMed process, LMN issuance, or reimbursement assistance:

Nuropod Support

For questions about Nuropod, send us a message via the support widget in the bottom right of any page on nuropod.com

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