Use HSA to improve health

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Use HSA dollars to pay for wellness services

You can use your health savings account for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of medical problems. Thus you can use your tax-free HSA dollars to actually improve your health.

Here are the services I feel can make you healthier.

Guideline: If you want to embark on a personal wellness program, ask you physician to recommend health professionals or programs that can improve your health. If your physician recommends a program, it will probably be an HSA-allowable expense. When in doubt, always check IRS document 502 to verify http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf

Dietitian

A dietitian can help you develop programs in a variety of areas. Weight control: work with a dietitian to develop a dietary plan and get coaching along the way as you lose weight. Lowering cholesterol: develop a cholesterol-lowering diet. If a dietary program can control cholesterol, you will save tens of thousands of dollars required to take a medication for a lifetime.

Exercise Physiologist

If you have difficulty sticking with exercise, consider seeing an exercise physiologist to help you develop a personal exercise prescription for you. You cannot use your HSA dollars for a fitness center membership, but you can pay for professional services in developing an exercise program. Lack of exercise is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and developing a good exercise program will help prevent serious medical problems in the future.

Psychologist

A psychologist can help you develop a stress management program that will relieve stress and improve quality of life.

Weight loss programs

In the case of weight loss programs, publication 502—the document that outlines services in detail—suggests that you need a doctor’s referral to a weight loss program.

Smoking cesation program

You can use your HSA dollars to pay for a smoking cessation program; as one of the most serious health risk factors, a smoking cessation program is highly beneficial.