Typically, you cannot use flexible spending account (FSA) funds to pay for a gym membership or exercise classes. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) usually doesn't allow funds from an FSA to pay for membership dues at health clu♓bs or gyms.

However, the IRS allows you to use the savings from your flexible savings account to pay separate fees charged at health clinics or physical therapy centers for specific activities prescribed by doctors for an individual. The physician must issue a statement (i.e., put in writing) th♛at the treatment is necessary to alleviate a physical or mental condition or illness.

How Do Flexible Spending Accounts Work?

Employees use FSAs to set pretax dollars aside to cover various qualified 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:medical expenses. To qualify, you must enroll before the new year's medical plan begins. However, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:self-employed people are not eligible.

FSAs are typically funded through salary reduction agreements with employers, and contributions are exempt from employment and federal income taxes. In 2025, the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:contribution limit for an employee is $3,300, and your employer may also contribute to your account.

Companies can disperse the savings via reimbursement, meaning the employee will be responsible for providing all receipts or a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:debit card designed for the plan. Distributions are typically tax-free if used for qualified medical expenses, including for spouses or children under 27, provided you have added them to your health plan.

Qualified Medical Expenses

The IRS issued Publication 502, which defines qualified medical expenses as those indicated in the FSA plan that would typically qualify for deduction as medical and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:dental expenses. For example, you can use the plan for chiropractor visits, prescriptions, contact lenses, eyeglasses, and co-pays at the doctor's office.

However, the IRS does not consider nonprescription medicines, except insulin, as qualified medical expenses. All qualified medical expenses require a doctor's prescription.

The IRS doesn't allow FSA funds to pay health 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:insurance premiums or for long-term care coverage. Also, the IRS considers gym membership a general health cost that a person doesn't necessarily have to incur to treat a specific medical condition.

In rare circumstances, a doctor may issue a medical note advising a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:beneficiary to enroll in a gym to treat a specific condition. In this case, you can use the funds to pay for the membership. Also, special group exercises or fees paid for classes at a gym prescribed by a doctor to treat specific conditions may be considered qualified medical expenses.

The Bottom Line

You can use a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:flexible spending account for many medical expenses, but usually, a gym membership isn't a necessary medical expense. However, this 🦩doesn't mean you'll never be able to use your FSA to pay for the membership, although it doe🐎s mean you'll have to convince your doctor and the IRS that using a gym is necessary to treat your condition.