HSA & FSA Eligibility for Haptix

Can I Use My HSA or FSA to Pay for Haptix?

Short answer: In many cases, yes – people are able to use HSA/FSA funds for Haptix when a licensed healthcare provider recommends it as part of a treatment plan for a diagnosed condition (for example PTSD, anxiety disorders, or insomnia), usually with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN). Coverage always depends on your specific plan.

Why Haptix Can Be HSA/FSA-Eligible

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are governed by U.S. tax law, specifically IRS Section 213(d). That rule says that, to be eligible, a product or service must be used primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness, not just for general wellness or self-care.

That’s why things like therapy, certain sleep devices, physical therapy tools, and even some fitness and neuromodulation devices can be paid for with HSA/FSA funds when they’re prescribed to treat a specific condition.

Haptix fits into this category as a nervous-system regulation and bilateral stimulation tool that can be used as an adjunct to evidence-based care for:

  • PTSD and trauma-related disorders
  • Anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder)
  • Insomnia and trauma-related sleep disturbance
  • In some cases, depression and chronic pain, as part of a broader treatment plan

When a licensed clinician recommends Haptix specifically to help manage one of these diagnosed conditions, and documents that recommendation in a Letter of Medical Necessity, many HSA/FSA plans will treat the purchase as a qualified medical expense.

How Haptix Works (and How It Relates to EMDR)

Haptix is a pair of wrist-worn devices that deliver gentle, alternating left–right vibration patterns. This is called bilateral stimulation – stimulation that repeatedly alternates between both sides of the body.

Bilateral sensory stimulation is a core component of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evidence-based psychotherapy for trauma and PTSD that is recommended by organizations such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense, the World Health Organization, and others.

In EMDR and trauma-focused therapies, bilateral stimulation is often delivered through:

  • Guided eye movements
  • Alternating sounds through headphones
  • Hand-held “tapper” devices or buzzers that vibrate left–right in sequence

Haptix translates this same tactile bilateral stimulation into a modern, wearable form factor. Many trauma-informed and EMDR-trained clinicians use bilateral tools in-session and may suggest similar patterns for at-home regulation, especially for:

  • Reducing physiological hyperarousal
  • Grounding during distressing memories or triggers
  • Downshifting before sleep when the nervous system is “stuck in high gear”

To be clear, the therapy itself (EMDR, CBT, somatic work, etc.) is the primary, evidence-based treatment. Bilateral stimulation devices like Haptix are used as an adjunctive tool within that broader plan.

What Conditions Can Haptix Support Clinically?

Haptix is marketed as a nervous system regulation and focus tool. Clinicians in our ecosystem tend to use bilateral stimulation tools like Haptix as part of care for:

1. PTSD and Trauma-Related Disorders

EMDR is widely recognized as effective for PTSD and trauma-related conditions, and it consistently incorporates bilateral sensory stimulation as a core element.

2. Anxiety Disorders

EMDR and other trauma-focused therapies are also used for generalized anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias. Bilateral stimulation can help clients downshift from fight-or-flight and practice safe regulation both in-session and at home.

3. Insomnia and Trauma-Related Sleep Issues

Sleep is often disrupted in PTSD, anxiety, and chronic stress. HSA/FSA partners already support devices like sleep coolers and other sleep-focused technology when prescribed for insomnia. Haptix can be used as a pre-sleep ritual to reduce nervous system activation and support better sleep when recommended by a clinician for a diagnosed sleep issue.

4. Depression and Chronic Pain (Adjunctive)

There is emerging evidence for EMDR and bilateral stimulation in depression and chronic pain, although the research base is smaller than for PTSD. Some clinicians integrate bilateral tools like Haptix in these contexts as part of a multimodal plan.

From an HSA/FSA perspective, the key point is: when your provider is using Haptix primarily to help treat or manage a diagnosable condition – not just for general relaxation – it is often viewed as a legitimate medical expense under IRS rules.

How to Use Your HSA or FSA for Haptix

Until we have a direct “Pay with HSA/FSA” button integrated at checkout, you can usually follow these manual steps:

  1. Talk to your healthcare provider
    Share Haptix with your therapist, physician, psychiatrist, or other licensed clinician. If they believe it’s appropriate for your diagnosed condition (e.g., PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia), ask if they’re willing to include it in your treatment plan.
  2. Request a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)
    Most plans want a simple letter stating that:
    • You have a specific diagnosed condition (without sharing unnecessary detail)
    • Haptix is being recommended as part of the treatment plan for that condition
    • The device is being used primarily to alleviate that condition, not for general wellness
  3. Purchase Haptix
    You can:
    • Use your HSA/FSA debit card directly on our site, if your plan allows; or
    • Pay with a personal card, then submit the receipt + LMN to your HSA/FSA administrator for reimbursement.
  4. Keep your documentation
    Save your:
    • Receipt or order confirmation
    • Letter of Medical Necessity
    • Any communication from your plan approving the expense
    This is important in case your HSA/FSA administrator or tax preparer asks for proof later.

Sample Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) Language

(You or your clinician can adapt this into their own letterhead or patient portal system. This is an example only, not legal or medical advice.)

To Whom It May Concern,

I am the treating [physician / psychologist / therapist] for [Patient Name], 
who has been diagnosed with [ICD-10 diagnosis, e.g., F43.10 Post-traumatic stress disorder, 
F41.1 Generalized anxiety disorder, G47.00 Insomnia, unspecified].

As part of [his/her/their] treatment plan, I am recommending the use of the 
Haptix bilateral stimulation device (wrist-worn haptic device) to assist in:

- Reducing physiological hyperarousal,
- Supporting trauma-focused and/or EMDR-informed therapy, and/or
- Improving sleep related to the above condition(s).

In my professional opinion, the primary purpose of this device is to 
alleviate symptoms associated with [Patient Name]’s diagnosed condition 
and it is not being prescribed for general health or wellness.

Sincerely,
[Provider Name, Credentials]
[License Number, State]

How Haptix Compares to Other HSA/FSA-Eligible Devices

HSA/FSA platforms and administrators already approve a range of modern devices when they’re prescribed to treat a specific condition, such as:

  • Vagus nerve stimulation devices marketed for stress, anxiety, and sleep support (e.g., some are sold as HSA/FSA-eligible via specialized partners).
  • Sleep systems and cooling devices (e.g., bed coolers and other sleep tech) when prescribed for insomnia or sleep disorders.
  • Fitness and metabolic health tools (e.g., certain equipment and wearables) when used to treat obesity, hypertension, or other diagnosed conditions.

Haptix is in the same family: a hardware tool that modulates nervous system activity and sleep patterns, used under clinical guidance to address recognized medical conditions rather than general wellness alone.

Important Disclaimers

  • No guarantee of coverage: HSA/FSA eligibility always depends on your specific plan, administrator, and how your provider documents medical necessity. Some plans are more flexible than others.
  • Not tax, legal, or medical advice: This page is for informational purposes only and is not intended as tax, legal, billing, or medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider, HSA/FSA administrator, or tax professional for guidance about your situation.
  • Haptix does not replace medical care: Haptix is not a substitute for psychotherapy, medical treatment, or prescribed medications. It is a tool that may be used alongside those treatments, under the guidance of a licensed professional.

If you’re a clinician or HSA/FSA partner reviewing this page and you have questions about how your patients or members are using Haptix, we’d be happy to provide additional information or connect you with practitioners who incorporate bilateral stimulation tools in their work.