For those with qualifying medical conditions like chronic pain, sleep apnea, or mental illness, one of the best mattresses could be eligible for purchase with pre-tax dollars from your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) funds. This process saves you money while also letting you use your FSA funds before they expire at the end of each year.
While you can't buy mattresses directly on FSA/HSA stores, many mattress brands — like Sleep Number, Nectar, and Purple — partner with companies like Truemed and Sika to help people with qualifying medical conditions use their pre-tax dollars to buy a mattress. Not everyone qualifies to use their HSA/FSA funds for a mattress, but it's easier to qualify than you may think.
We've gathered everything you need to know about using HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress, including why you should do it, who qualifies, and which mattresses are eligible.
The top 3 mattresses to buy with HSA/FSA funds
The all-foam Nectar is a versatile mattress that contours to your body to relieve pressure and back pain. It's well-suited to most sleep positions.
The Purple Mattress features a pressure-relieving gel grid and a medium firmness ideal for side sleepers. Its excellent heat dissipation makes it a smart choice for hot sleepers.
The medium-firm Helix Dusk Luxe is tailor-made for back and stomach sleepers. The hybrid sleeps exceptionally cool and provides excellent support, but edge support was lacking.
Who qualifies to use HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress?
Not everyone can use their HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress. A mattress is only available for reimbursement if it "treats, reverses, or prevents a diagnosed medical condition," and requires a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a doctor. Services like Truemed and Sika make it easy and free to find out if you qualify and link you to a provider that can provide the LMN.
Since sleep is integral to health, there are a wide range of conditions that could qualify you to use your HSA/FSA on a new mattress. These include mental health conditions like anxiety and depression; sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia, and chronic fatigue; chronic pain, including arthritis and fibromyalgia; and diseases like autoimmune disease, heart disease, and diabetes. If you've been deemed "overweight" or "obese" by a doctor, you might be eligible, too. Regardless of your condition, your new mattress must actively improve or impact your health.
Why use HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress?
The short answer is: It'll save you money. Since money in your HSA or FSA is pre-tax, you have more spending power using these funds. Your HSA/FSA can cover sales tax, too.
Also, FSA funds are "use it or lose it" and expire at the end of the year. If you have leftover funds, using them to buy a new mattress prevents it from going to waste.
How to use HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress
Using your HSA/FSA funds to buy a mattress is simple. At each retailer's website, you'll add products to your cart as usual. When you get to the payment screen, select the option that says "pay with HSA/FSA." This will lead you to a health survey. Once complete, you'll be prompted to check out. Most companies recommend checking out with your personal credit card and submitting a reimbursement request, but there's also the option to pay directly from your HSA/FSA card, too. If you want to use part of your savings to pay for the mattress but don't have enough to cover the entire purchase in your account, then put it on your normal credit or debit card. This way, you'll easily be reimbursed for the funds you do use without making the cost splitting complicated.
If you qualify, you'll receive an electronic LMN in your inbox within about 24 to 48 hours. You can then send it to your savings account provider to start your reimbursement.
Importantly, your funds won't fully cover the cost of a mattress since HSA/FSA funds can only be used for mattress features that actively improve your health, like cooling properties or extra support. When we completed the survey and ran queen-size Purple and DreamCloud mattresses through Truemed, the cost of the mattress was covered except for $223 — an average price for a basic mattress. It even covered the in-home setup on the Purple. Essentially, your funds can pay up to 90% of the mattress's price.
What mattresses are HSA/FSA eligible?
While you can't use HSA and FSA funds to buy any mattress on the market, there's a sizable list of comfortable mattresses that are eligible. Notably, the Nectar Classic Mattress, one of the best mattresses for back pain, is available for purchase with HSA/FSA funds.
Purple
Purple's qualification system is run through Truemed. At checkout, click the "Pay with HSA/FSA" button in payment options. This will take you to the health survey. If you qualify, you can pay and submit a reimbursement request. Read our Purple mattress review to learn about all of Purple's beds in one place.
The Purple Mattress features a pressure-relieving gel grid and a medium firmness ideal for side sleepers. Its excellent heat dissipation makes it a smart choice for hot sleepers.
Offering impressive edge support and motion isolation, the Purple RestorePlus is a great mattress for couples. We loved the soft version for side sleeping, though it's also available in firm.
Nectar
Like Purple, you can either use an HSA/FSA at checkout on eligible mattresses or submit a reimbursement request after you're confirmed. After checkout, you'll receive a survey from Truemed. If you don't have enough funds to cover the entire mattress, Nectar recommends paying with your personal credit card and then using the reimbursement request.
The all-foam Nectar is a versatile mattress that contours to your body to relieve pressure and back pain. It's well-suited to most sleep positions.
Nectar's Luxe Hybrid mattress combines memory foam and individually-wrapped coils for optimal comfort and support. It has a plush, cool feel that's perfect for side sleepers and hot sleepers.
Sleep Number
At Sleep Number, you don't pay directly through your savings account. Instead, you complete the purchase as normal, indicate during checkout that you'd like to use HSA/FSA funds, then take the health survey. If you qualify, you'll receive a Letter of Medical Necessity, which you'll then send your documentation to your HSA or FSA provider for reimbursement.
The latest mattress in Sleep Number's line-up features layers of contouring foam, supportive coils, and an adjustable air base.
The pricey Sleep Number Climate360 Smart Bed is all about customization, with firmness, temperature, and incline adjustments.
Saatva
Saatva does things a little differently, even though it's also partnered with Truemed. First, you'll make a qualifying mattress purchase using your debit or credit card as usual. Then, you'll complete a health survey on the same day as your purchase. If you're eligible, you'll receive a LMN within one to two days, and you'll be able to submit a reimbursement request. Read our review of Saatva's entire mattress lineup.
The Saatva Classic Mattress is designed to suit a variety of sleeping styles and features a plush top for luxurious comfort. Its patented lumbar zone technology helps support proper spine alignment.
The Saatva Rx is designed to help those with joint and back pain. It's extremely plush, gentle on pressure points, and well-suited for side sleepers.
Leesa
When shopping at Leesa, you can choose to pay directly from an HSA/FSA account or file a reimbursement after receiving your LMN. Our favorite mattress of all time, the Leesa Sapira, is eligible for purchase with HSA/FSA funds. Read our review of Leesa's mattress lineup.
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress is the most comfortable mattress we've tested that suits most sleep positions thanks to its medium firmness. We also like it as an option for people with back pain. Save an extra $25 with our exclusive code INSIDER25.
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress provides great edge support and motion isolation. Its mix of memory foam and pocket springs produces an average firmness, making it an outstanding solution for back pain sufferers of any sleeping style. Take $25 off when you use promo code INSIDER25.
Avocado
To qualify with Avocado, you take the health survey from Sika prior to checking out. Then, with your LMN in hand, you'll make your purchase using your HSA/FSA, which Sika will confirm before sending you an email with reimbursement instructions.
The Avocado Green Mattress latex hybrid mattress is backed by various third-party certifications and available in three firmness options. It's cooling and features zoned support but motion isolation and edge support were only average.
Like Avocado's Green Mattress, the Eco Organic Mattress is made with organic latex and GOTS-certified wool and cotton. It's a more affordable option than the Green Mattress.
Other mattresses
GhostBeds, PlushBeds, Zinus, Dreamcloud, Helix, Birch, Bear, Big Fig and Essentia all partner with Truemed, and the process is similar to Purple and Nectar. After choosing to pay with HSA/FSA at checkout, you'll take a survey. If you qualify, you'll receive your LMN and check out using either your HSA/FSA funds or your credit or debit card for later reimbursement.
The Big Fig Mattress is constructed for heavier individuals with firm support and a high weight capacity. It also sleeps cool, with impressive motion isolation and edge support.
The Bear Hybrid mattress has six layers of foam and spring coils for a customized fit and great night's sleep. It's also made with a moisture-wicking cover, making it a great choice for hot sleepers.
The Birch Natural Mattress delivers strong value for the price for those seeking an organic hybrid mattress with verified certifications. It’s not the plushest mattress we tested, but provides balanced support that will appeal to back and stomach sleepers.
The medium-firm Helix Dusk Luxe is tailor-made for back and stomach sleepers. The hybrid sleeps exceptionally cool and provides excellent support, but edge support was lacking.
The DreamCloud Premier Hybrid Mattress performed well in all our tests, making it ideal for most sleep types, couples, and people who tend to overheat at night.
The PlushBeds Botanical Bliss mattress is certified organic and stays cool. The medium-firm feel is ideal for stomach and back sleepers.
Couples shopping for a foam mattress will appreciate the GhostBed Luxe Foam Mattress's medium firmness, great motion isolation, and excellent edge support.
All sleep types will appreciate the average firmness and budget-friendly price of the Zinus Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress.
The fully latex-foam Essentia REM5 is the best luxury organic mattress we've tested. The pressure relief makes it ideal for side sleepers, and hot sleepers will appreciate the heat dissipation.
What other sleep products can you buy with an HSA/FSA?
In addition to mattresses, you can also buy pillows, adjustable bases, alarm clocks, and even weighted blankets using your HSA/FSA funds. And while HSA/FSA-eligible mattresses are rare on third-party retailers, you can find a slew of eligible sleep goods and accessories at Amazon's HSA/FSA Storefront and the dedicated FSA and HSA Stores. Just like with a mattress, you'll have to qualify for an LMN. We've included a few of our favorite eligible products below.
Adjustable bases
The Adjustable Base Plus is compatible with almost every Saatva mattress and lifts your head and feet with wireless remote or app control. Under-bed lighting makes it easy to see at night, while three massage speed options help you drift off to sleep.
The Purple Premium Plus Smart Base is your best option for an adjustable bed with massaging capabilities, app connectivity, and pillow, head, and foot adjustments.
The first adjustable bed frame made specifically for heavier sleepers, this foundation supports up to 1,250 pounds and has presets to ease snoring and improve comfort while lounging.
Bedding
These Cozy Earth bamboo sheets are among the most cooling on our list with deep pockets for mattresses up to 20 inches thick and a silky soft feel.
The cocoon-like, knit-woven Bearaby Cotton Napper keeps you cozy yet cool as you lounge on the couch. The 40-by-64-inch 10-pound blanket is entirely machine washable and made of 100% cotton.
The Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow offers thoughtful features like adjustable fill, a washable pillow cover, and an unparalleled 100-night trial, making it the best choice for most people.
The innovative Purple Harmony incorporates a honeycomb-patterned Grid (the same material as in its mattresses) that surrounds a supportive inner core of hypoallergenic ventilated latex for an extremely comfortable and supportive pillow that sleeps cool.
The Rest Evercool comforter is one of the coolest and most versatile options we tested, offering exceptional breathability and a silky-smooth feel in various colors and sizes, ensuring a sweat-free and comfortable night’s sleep.
Mattress toppers
The latest bed cooling system from Eight Sleep includes personalized heating and cooling, sleep tracking, and a vibrating alarm.
The GhostBed Memory Foam Topper, with its unique airflow-promoting design, did an outstanding job of dissipating heat in our tests while providing soothing comfort for side sleepers.
The Helix Premium Mattress Topper with GlacioTex has layers of foam and microcoils for unmatched comfort and support.
Alarm clocks
The Hatch Restore 3 now features phone-free controls and enhanced sound quality, offering you even more ways to personalize your sleep routine with over 50 sounds and 18 light colors, while minimizing screen time for a better night’s rest.
The Hatch Baby is specifically designed for babies, toddlers, and kids. It's easy to set a personalized sleep schedule, including a ready-to-wake light.
The bottom line
If you have a qualifying medical condition like a sleep disorder, mental illness, or chronic pain, using your HSA/FSA funds could save you money when buying a new mattress. It's a great way to spend FSA funds before they expire at the end of the year. Not all mattresses are eligible, but brands simplify the process by partnering with companies like Truemed, which help determine eligibility and provide letters of medical necessity for reimbursement.
