Can You Buy Protein Shakes With an HSA Card?

December 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to IRS guidelines, expenses must be for the diagnosis, cure, or treatment of a medical condition, making protein shakes generally ineligible for an HSA unless medically necessary. This rule has a significant exception, allowing their purchase with an HSA card if prescribed by a physician.

Quick Summary

Using an HSA for protein shakes is usually not permitted for general wellness but can be a qualified medical expense if a doctor prescribes it for a specific condition. This requires an LMN to prove eligibility.

Key Points

General Rule: Protein shakes for general health or athletic performance are not considered a qualified medical expense by the IRS and are therefore not HSA-eligible.
Medical Necessity Exception: Protein shakes can be purchased with an HSA card if prescribed by a doctor to treat a specific medical condition, such as malnutrition or post-surgical recovery.
Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN): To use your HSA for protein shakes, you must obtain a formal LMN from your healthcare provider detailing the medical necessity.
Documentation is Key: Keep a copy of the LMN, the prescription, and all receipts to substantiate the expense in case of an IRS audit.
Penalties for Misuse: Using HSA funds for non-qualified expenses can result in taxes and a 20% penalty if you are under age 65.

Can you buy protein shakes with an HSA card?

For most consumers, the answer is no. A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a valuable tool for managing healthcare costs with triple tax advantages, but its funds must be used for "qualified medical expenses" as defined by the IRS. Protein shakes and other dietary supplements for general health, weight loss, or athletic performance do not meet this criterion. However, a critical exception exists for individuals who receive a prescription or a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a healthcare provider, making it possible to use HSA funds in specific, documented circumstances.

The IRS Ruling on Supplements and HSAs

IRS Publication 502 outlines what constitutes a qualified medical expense, specifying that costs must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness. It explicitly excludes expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins, from this definition. The IRS categorizes protein powder as a supplement for general health and wellness rather than a treatment for a specific medical condition, making it ineligible for HSA reimbursement in most standard cases. This is in line with the regulations that also typically disallow over-the-counter supplements, multivitamins, and herbal products for general wellness.

The Letter of Medical Necessity Exception

While the general rule is clear, there is a pathway to eligibility for protein shakes and other nutritional supplements. If a healthcare provider determines that a protein shake is medically necessary to treat a specific, diagnosed condition, you can use your HSA funds. This requires an LMN from your doctor. A few examples of conditions where a physician might prescribe protein supplementation include:

Malnutrition or severe underweight due to illness
Post-surgical recovery where increased protein intake is essential for healing
Chronic conditions, such as renal disease, requiring a high-protein diet
Diagnosed absorption disorders that prevent adequate protein intake from food

How to Get a Letter of Medical Necessity for Protein Shakes

To successfully qualify your protein shake purchase, follow these important steps:

Discuss with your doctor: Talk to your healthcare provider about your medical condition and the necessity of protein supplementation for your treatment plan. Explain why consuming protein shakes is a medical requirement, not a general wellness choice.
Request an LMN: Ask your provider for a formal LMN. This letter must: be written by a licensed healthcare professional, specify your diagnosed medical condition, state that the protein shake is necessary for treatment or prevention, and include the dosage and duration of the treatment.
Purchase the product: Buy the specific protein shake or powder recommended by your doctor. You can often use your HSA debit card directly if the retailer is set up for it, or you may need to pay out-of-pocket and submit for reimbursement.
Save all documentation: Keep the LMN, your doctor's prescription, and all receipts. These records are crucial in case of an IRS audit to prove the medical necessity of the expense.

Navigating the Documentation and Reimbursement Process

The key to a smooth process lies in meticulous record-keeping. Your HSA provider may require a copy of the LMN and receipts to approve reimbursement. The purchase must be made after the LMN has been issued. If you use your HSA card for a non-qualified expense and are under 65, you could face taxes and a 20% penalty on the amount, so it's vital to follow the rules.

Comparison Table: Protein Shake HSA Eligibility


Scenario	Is it HSA Eligible?	Requirements
General health & fitness	No	IRS rules classify this as general wellness.
Athletic performance	No	Considered a fitness or cosmetic expense.
Post-surgical recovery	Yes	Must have an LMN from a doctor stating necessity.
Malnutrition/underweight	Yes	Requires an LMN for treatment of a diagnosed condition.
Chronic condition treatment	Yes	Must be prescribed via an LMN for the specific disease.

Other Relevant Considerations

It is important to remember that not all healthcare providers are aware of the specific IRS requirements for HSAs. You may need to educate your doctor on the need for a detailed LMN. For instance, a simple verbal recommendation is insufficient for audit purposes. If you are using a marketplace for HSA-eligible items, some sites may have a process for linking you with a provider to issue an LMN, simplifying the process. The rules are different for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), although they follow similar logic regarding medical necessity. Lastly, always prioritize whole foods for your nutritional needs unless a shake is medically required, as whole foods provide a broader spectrum of nutrients.

Conclusion

While you cannot typically buy protein shakes with an HSA card for general health or fitness, it is possible if a healthcare provider prescribes them for a specific, diagnosed medical condition. This process requires obtaining a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) and maintaining thorough documentation, including receipts and the LMN, for your records. Ignoring these regulations could lead to tax penalties. For anyone considering using their HSA for supplements, the crucial first step is to consult a medical professional and secure the proper paperwork, ensuring your purchase aligns with IRS guidelines.

To learn more about qualified medical expenses, visit the official IRS website and review Publication 502 for detailed guidelines and examples.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while they are generally ineligible for general wellness purposes, they can be a qualified medical expense if a doctor prescribes them for a specific medical condition and you have a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN).

An LMN is a document from a healthcare provider that states a specific medical condition requires a certain supplement, like a protein shake, for treatment or prevention.

Yes, licensed healthcare professionals such as medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and even chiropractors can issue an LMN for HSA purposes.

If you are under 65, the purchase amount may be subject to income tax and a 20% penalty. It is crucial to have proper documentation to avoid these penalties.

Yes, prenatal vitamins are a common exception and are typically HSA eligible without needing a prescription or LMN because pregnancy is considered a medical condition.

Yes, it is essential to keep all receipts, the LMN, and any prescriptions related to HSA purchases for supplements. The IRS may require this documentation in case of an audit.

Rules for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are very similar to HSA rules regarding supplements, requiring a Letter of Medical Necessity for the same medical reasons.

No, protein shakes for aesthetic or performance-based goals like muscle building are considered general wellness and are not eligible for HSA reimbursement.