Can you use an HSA or FSA for a GLP-1?
The IRS rules are general: prescribed drugs count, and weight-loss spending counts when it treats a disease a physician diagnosed. Your plan decides what it pays.
Read Sep 27, 2026. This is not tax advice.
The IRS rules that apply
No IRS page we read names GLP-1 medicines. The rules are general ones about prescribed drugs and weight loss.
- Prescribed medicines count as medical expenses. Apart from insulin, drugs that are not prescribed do not.
You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay for prescribed medicines and drugs. A prescribed drug is one that requires a prescription by a doctor for its use by an individual. You can also include amounts you pay for insulin. Except for insulin, you can’t include in medical expenses amounts you pay for a drug that isn’t prescribed.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Apr 30, 2026) - Spending to lose weight counts when it treats a specific disease a physician diagnosed, such as obesity, hypertension or heart disease.
You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease).
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Apr 30, 2026) - It does not count when the goal is appearance, general health or a sense of well-being.
You can’t include in medical expenses the cost of a weight-loss program if the purpose of the weight loss is the improvement of appearance, general health, or sense of well-being.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Apr 30, 2026) - Expenses that count as medical care can also be paid or reimbursed from an HSA, FSA, Archer MSA or HRA.
Expenses for medical care under section 213 of the Code also are eligible to be paid or reimbursed under an HSA, FSA, Archer MSA, or HRA.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Sep 23, 2026) - An IRS FAQ says a weight-loss program is a medical expense only if it treats a specific disease a physician diagnosed.
A9: Yes, but only if the program treats a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease). Otherwise, the cost of a weight-loss program is not a medical expense.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Mar 17, 2023) - For an FSA, IRS Publication 969 says qualified expenses are the ones the plan lists that would generally qualify for the medical expense deduction.
Qualified medical expenses are those specified in the plan that would generally qualify for the medical and dental expenses deduction.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Apr 30, 2026)
Limits to know
- Drugs brought in or shipped from another country generally do not count unless imported legally.
In general, you can’t include in your medical expenses the cost of a prescribed drug brought in (or ordered and shipped) from another country. You can only include the cost of a drug that was imported legally.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Apr 30, 2026) - Diet food and drinks do not count.
You can’t include the cost of diet food or beverages in medical expenses because the diet food and beverages substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Apr 30, 2026) - HSA money spent on something that does not qualify is taxed and may carry an extra 20% tax.
You can receive tax-free distributions from your HSA to pay or be reimbursed for qualified medical expenses you incur after you establish the HSA. If you receive distributions for other reasons, the amount you withdraw will be subject to income tax and may be subject to an additional 20% tax.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Apr 30, 2026) - Costs paid with tax-free HSA money cannot also be deducted on your return.
You can’t include in medical expenses amounts you contribute to a health savings account. You can’t include expenses you pay for with a tax-free distribution from your health savings account.
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Apr 30, 2026) - As an itemized deduction, medical costs count only above 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
to the extent these expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income for the year
irs.gov, Sep 30, 2026(page dated Sep 24, 2026)
What the programs say
- PlushCare: HSA/FSA money cannot pay the membership fee.
Please note that HSA/FSA funds cannot be used to cover the PlushCare membership fee
plushcare.com, Sep 30, 2026 - Sesame: Most services in the subscription may be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement.
most of the services within your subscription may be eligible for reimbursement
sesamecare.com, Sep 30, 2026 - Found: HSA/FSA eligible.
HSA/FSA eligible
joinfound.com, Sep 30, 2026 - Ro: Does not take HSA/FSA cards; you can submit a receipt to your plan yourself.
We do not accept HSA/FSA cards at this time.
ro.co, Sep 30, 2026 - Calibrate: The program fee is not covered by insurance but is HSA/FSA eligible.
The cost of the Calibrate program is not covered by insurance, however it is HSA/FSA eligible.
joincalibrate.com, Sep 30, 2026 - knownwell: HSA/FSA cards can pay your copay.
Yes, you can use your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account) card to pay for your copay
knownwell.co, Sep 30, 2026 - Form Health: The self-pay plan fee is HSA/FSA eligible.
The self-pay plan monthly fee is HSA/FSA eligible.
formhealth.co, Sep 30, 2026