Compression Wear for Recovery: HSA/FSA Coverage Explained

Introduction

FSA-eligible compression socks for recovery; does that work?

Recently, some research findings have showcased that compression wear may improve joint awareness, reduce swelling, reduce muscle oscillations, local circulation and flow, alter sub-maximal oxygen usage during exercise, and reduce post-workout muscle soreness to ultimately enhance performance and recovery. We can say that compression wear may have a positive impact on recovery and performance; besides, no negative impact was found on recovery or subsequent performance. In short, compression wear helps in recovery and improves health conditions like venous disorders, sports injuries, and post-surgery recovery. In this article, we explained the compression wear for recovery and provided a guide to get the compression wear under HAS or FSA coverage.

What Is Compression Wear?

Compression wear has become more popular due to its comfort, aesthetic appeal, and functionality. Compression wear is clothing that fits tightly around the skin to improve circulation. It comes in varying degrees of compression for therapeutic benefits, post-surgery benefits, healing and recovery for athletes, and discomfort due to daily schedules.

It has been found that compression wear is helpful to improve joint awareness, local blood flow and circulation, running economy, waste product removal, reduce swelling, reduce muscle oscillations, and decrease post-workout muscle soreness (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness - DOMS), whereas no negative impact on health or performance as being the non-medical treatment.

Compression wear comes in different types and uses, such as FSA compression socks, HSA compression socks, compression gloves, athletic compression wear, shorts and tights, leggings and athletic tops, post-surgical compression wear, compression wraps, and more.

Compression Wear for Recovery

Compression wear offers a myriad of medical and therapeutic benefits for recovery from sports injuries, health conditions like venous disorders, exercise enthusiasts, post-surgery, and more. Let’s discuss the various medical and therapeutic benefits of using compression wear for recovery.

- Improved Circulation

Compression wear follows the concept of graduated compression. It is designed to be tighter in certain areas, such as extremities (like ankles, calves, elbow, etc.), to improve blood circulation by applying graduated pressure. This helps prevent blood pooling and pushes oxygen-rich blood to the affected areas to heal and recover.   

 - Reduced Swelling and Relieve from Inflammation

Compression wear helps individuals recover from inflammation due to edema, effusion, or post-surgical bruise and relieves discomfort. It curbs inflammation by helping in the lymphatic flow of fluids within the tissues and easing discomfort by putting constant pressure on the affected areas. It has been observed that individuals suffering from lymphedema have more positive and significant benefits from graduated compression therapy.      

 - Pain Relief

Compression wear, especially the 20-30 mmHg compression level garments, offers mild compression on the muscles and tissues. It helps to get relief from pain and discomfort due to injuries, muscle tiredness (due to long hours standing or sitting), or post-surgery muscular pain. Athletes and sports personalities also get relief from body inflammation due to rigorous exercise or workout and muscle soreness. In fact, some compression wear helps them to eliminate the occurrence of muscle soreness due to physical activities.  

 - Prevention of Blood Clots and Varicose Veins

Compression wear is a great garment for individuals who usually spend most of their time standing or sitting, which results in poor circulation, swelling, pain, discomfort, and fatigue in the lower legs. Individuals who are at risk of venous disorders, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or other circulation-related health discomforts even after surgery or long hours of travel, then they should use compression socks. Compression socks with 20-40 mmHg compression levels can promote circulation, regulate blood flow from the lower legs to the heart, and relieve discomfort. You must be thinking, are compression socks FSA-eligible or not? Well, read further; we are discussing this concern in the later section of this article.   

Compression Wear and Products are Eligible for HSA/FSA Coverage?

Are compression socks FSA-eligible?

Now, we have the answer to this million-dollar question; yes, compression wear like socks is covered under HSA and FSA health accounts to get the most from your medical savings. You can purchase compression wear that is eligible and approved to be purchased with HSA and FSA or get your purchased compression wear reimbursed without any tax, but you need to follow the process. As per the Internal Revenue Service, the U. S. Government, the compression hose may qualify under the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HAS) to treat a specific disease prescribed by a medical practitioner or doctor. For example, compression wears like compression socks with a compression level of 30-40 mmHg or above are eligible under the flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) with an official prescription of a medical practitioner or doctor.

Types of compression wear covered by HSA and FSA and their uses

• Compression socks and stockings for varicose veins, edema, or deep vein thrombosis

• Compression sleeves for edema, fatigue, and postoperative recovery

• Postoperative compression garments for liposuction, orthopedic surgical procedures, and other post-surgery recovery

• Maternity compression wear is to get better circulation and relieve swelling

• Athletic general fitness compression wears are for recovery from injuries   

But how do you purchase HAS compression socks and other compression wear? Well, to purchase HSA or FSA-eligible compression wear, you need to follow this guide.

Guide to Purchase Compression Wear

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services—Washington, D.C., United States, the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are medical coverage savings accounts and healthcare benefits that allow citizens to overcome their medical expenses with flexibility and discretion. Individuals can buy doctor-prescribed compression wear by following these tips.

• Get a Prescription – This is the essential step, so discuss with your medical practitioner or doctor about the need for compression wear to treatment or get therapeutic benefits. If yes, then get an official prescription with the required compression level and other details

•  Find and Pick an Eligible Retailer – Once the prescription is ready, find an online or physical store eligible to sell FSA or HSA-approved compression wear

• Pay with Your FSA/HSA Card/Debit Card - When you purchase compression wear, pay with your account card. If you pay by cash or debit card, keep the receipt for your reimbursement claim

• Submit a Claim (If needed) - If you paid in cash or debit card, submit your claim with the respective receipt, prescription, and other details for reimbursement claim after consulting with your FSA or HSA administrator or insurance agent

Additionally, make sure you consider the medical-grade certification, durability, comfort, fit, and ease of use before purchasing your required compression wear.  

Final Words

Compression wear with defined graduated compression levels has a range of medical, health, and therapeutic benefits to recover from discomfort, pain, and other health concerns without medications. As you explore and understand compression wear, you can easily reap the benefits. Compression wear can do wonders with its therapeutic benefits to recovery in swelling, muscle pain, strain, circulation, venous disorders, sports injuries, post-surgery, fatigue, and more.

Let’s say your work commitment or lifestyle requires standing or sitting for the whole day, which results in discomfort and swollen lower legs; then pick compression wear like socks but prefer HSA-approved compression socks to get quality products and save your dollars to buy them from your HSA account. It enables you to recover from discomfort without any extra expenses or burdens on you. The above article helps you take a confident move forward with this purchasing guide and other information. Whether you’re a true sportsman or just seeking a solution to recover from every discomfort, compression wear could be a great ally for you and your medical savings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q 1. Can I Buy Compression Wear Without a Prescription Using My HSA/FSA?

Compression wear prescribed by a medical practitioner or doctor comes under HSA or FSA medical expenses. It is eligible to be reimbursed under HSA/FSA. Without one, compression wear may not be considered medically necessary.

Q 2. Is Athletic Compression Wear HSA/FSA Eligible?

Compression wear worn for general fitness or sports activities is not qualified for an HSA/FSA account or reimbursement, except if the compression garments can be worn due to a disability and are prescribed by a doctor for recovery or treatment.

 Q 3. How Do I Know If Compression Wear is Covered?

Check with your HSA/FSA provider or insurance agency for eligible products and ensure your purchase meets their requirements.