Using Leftover FSA or HSA Money on Fitness and Recovery Gear Before the Year Ends

Picture it: it’s the first week of December, you check your benefits portal, and $412 is still sitting in your FSA. That money is yours, but it may not be for long. The good news is that leftover FSA money doesn’t have to vanish, and it doesn’t have to go on bandages. Fitness and recovery gear can qualify when it treats or prevents a medical issue, such as sore joints, swelling, or a nagging sports injury. So, what can I buy with leftover FSA money? Here is what qualifies, what doesn’t, and how to order before the year-end clock runs out.

Quick Overview

• Deadline: Under the use-it-or-lose-it rule, most plans end December 31. Some allow a carryover of up to $680 or a grace period of up to 2.5 months, never both.
   
• Usually eligible: Braces, hot and cold packs, TENS units, and many massage guns.
   
• Needs a doctor’s letter: Most general fitness equipment and gym memberships.
   
• Action: Order by mid-December and keep every receipt.

Do You Lose Leftover FSA Money on December 31?

Often, yes. The FSA deadline follows a “use it or lose it” rule, so unspent balances are usually forfeited when the plan year ends, which for most employees is December 31. Employers can soften that rule in one of two ways, but never both:

• Carryover: Plans that adopt it may let you roll up to $680 into the next plan year, according to IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32. Employers can set a lower cap.
• Grace period: Up to 2.5 extra months to spend the old balance.

An HSA works differently. Money in a Health Savings Account stays with you year after year, so there is no deadline panic, though the same medical-expense rules still apply.

How Do You Know if Fitness Gear Qualifies Before You Buy?

Start with one test from IRS Publication 502: the expense must mainly be for the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of a medical condition. A product used purely for general fitness fails that test. The same product can pass when a clinician ties it to a specific condition.

That is where a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) comes in. It is a document from a licensed provider confirming you need the item for a diagnosed issue, such as chronic back pain or post-surgery swelling. Many LMNs stay valid for 12 months, though providers and administrators set their own rules.

Three quick ways to check eligibility:

1. Look up the item in your plan administrator’s eligible-expense list.
2. Watch for an eligibility label at checkout, since many stores flag qualifying items.
3. Message your administrator when the answer is unclear.

Final approval sits with your plan, so a claim can still be denied.

What Can I Buy With Leftover FSA Money in the Fitness and Recovery Aisle?

HSA eligible fitness and recovery items, like FSA ones, fall into two tiers. The first clears with a normal checkout. The second needs a Letter of Medical Necessity.

Gear that usually qualifies on its own

• Braces, wraps, and supports for knees, ankles, wrists, and backs
• Hot and cold therapy packs
• Kinesiology tape used for injury support
• Medical-grade compression socks and stockings
• Orthotic inserts
• TENS units for pain relief
• Therapeutic percussion massage guns, which many sellers list as eligible without extra paperwork
• Sunscreen, first aid supplies, and blister care

These are also the core of the sports and fitness gear you can buy with HSA funds, because HSAs and FSAs share the same IRS definition of medical expenses.

Gear that may qualify with a letter

• Athletic compression sleeves and recovery boots
• Foam rollers, stability balls, and resistance bands
• Cold plunge tubs and similar recovery equipment
• Treadmills and other exercise equipment prescribed for a condition
• Gym memberships prescribed for a specific condition

A caution: administrators sometimes reject LMN-backed claims even when the rules seem to support them, so get a clear yes before spending a large balance.

Where to shop

Specialty sports retailers have started adding HSA and FSA checkout options. Scheels, for example, runs a dedicated HSA/FSA page where qualified shoppers can check out through Truemed, a service that can arrange an LMN consultation for items that need one. That helps when you want to compare braces, recovery tools, and home fitness equipment in one place. Whichever store you choose, confirm eligibility before paying.

Smart-shopper tip: Buy what you will use weekly. A $150 massage gun that gets used beats a $150 gadget gathering dust.

What Can’t You Buy With FSA Money?

Not everything with a health label qualifies. Cosmetics, general toiletries, most supplements without a medical recommendation, spa services, and standard gym memberships fail the IRS test. Buying ineligible items risks claim denial or a demand to repay the funds, and repaid amounts can become taxable.

Workout clothes and regular running shoes are the most common traps, so skip them unless a provider prescribes orthopedic footwear.

How to Use FSA Funds Online Before Year End

Online shopping is the fastest route when time is short. Follow these steps:

1. Check your balance and deadline. Log in to your administrator portal and confirm whether you have a carryover, a grace period, or neither.
    
2. Pick a retailer with HSA/FSA checkout. A sports retailer like Scheels, a dedicated FSA store, or a major pharmacy site all work, as long as the item shows as eligible.
    
3. Start the LMN early. If your item needs one, request it before you order, since telehealth consults and doctor offices can take days.
    
4. Pay the right way. Use your FSA card for eligible items, or pay out of pocket and submit a claim. Some systems reject mixed carts, so split eligible and ineligible items into separate orders.
    
5. Save proof. Keep the itemized receipt and a screenshot of the dated order confirmation.
    

Which Purchases Make the Most Sense for Your Remaining Balance?

Prioritize in this order: recurring needs you already have, such as bandages and sunscreen; overdue care like vision or dental products; then one recovery item you will truly use. Avoid impulse buys just to empty the account. To prevent leftover FSA funds next year, estimate your real expenses before electing an amount. The 2026 health FSA contribution limit is $3,400, but many people need far less.

Conclusion

Leftover FSA money is only wasted if you let December slip by. Check your balance and deadline today, pick one or two items you will genuinely use, and confirm eligibility before checkout. If you want to browse braces, recovery tools, and fitness equipment in one place, visit the Scheels HSA/FSA page and shop with your remaining funds before the year closes. Ask your doctor for a Letter of Medical Necessity now if something on your list needs one. Order by mid-December, save the receipt, and put that balance to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I roll over leftover FSA money?

Only if your employer’s plan allows carryover, up to $680 for the 2026 plan year. A plan cannot offer both carryover and a grace period.

Can I buy gear for my spouse or child?

Generally yes. Eligible expenses for a spouse and tax dependents typically qualify, but confirm with your plan.

Do I need a prescription for over-the-counter items?

No. Over-the-counter medicines and menstrual products no longer require a prescription for FSA or HSA purchases.

What is the difference between FSA and HSA eligibility?

Both follow the same IRS list of medical expenses. The difference is the money itself: FSA balances face an employer-set deadline, while HSA funds roll over.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Unspent funds are generally forfeited under your plan’s terms.