Your pre-tax health dollars can work harder than you think.
I get asked about this more than you'd expect: "Can I use my FSA or HSA to buy a sound therapy bed?"
The short answer is yes, with the right documentation. The potential savings aren't trivial either. Depending on your tax bracket, using pre-tax funds through an FSA or HSA can effectively save you 25-35% on your purchase. On a Sound Therapy Bed 2, that's potentially over $2,000 back in your pocket.
Please note, I'm not a tax advisor, and this article isn't tax advice, but I've had enough customers successfully navigate this process that I wanted to lay out exactly how it works, step by step.
Potential Tax Savings
Estimated savings on a Sound Therapy Bed 2 purchase using pre-tax FSA/HSA funds, depending on your tax bracket
FSA vs. HSA: The Basics
If you're already up to speed on how these accounts work, skip ahead to the next section. For everyone else, here's the quick version.
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an employer-sponsored benefit that lets you set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses. FSAs typically follow a "use-it-or-lose-it" rule, meaning unspent funds may expire at the end of your plan year, though some plans allow a small carryover or grace period. The 2026 contribution limit is $3,400.
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is available if you're enrolled in a high-deductible health plan. Same concept (pre-tax contributions for medical expenses), but HSA funds roll over year to year and the account stays with you even if you change jobs. The 2026 contribution limits are $4,400 for individuals or $8,750 for families.
Why This Matters
Both accounts let you pay for qualified medical expenses with pre-tax money. That means every dollar you spend through these accounts is worth more than a dollar you'd spend after taxes. It's essentially a built-in discount equal to your marginal tax rate.
Does the Sound Therapy Bed 2 Qualify?
This is the real question, and the answer is: yes, it can, with the right documentation.
Under IRS guidelines (Section 213(d) and IRS Publication 502), a qualified medical expense is defined as a cost incurred for the "diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and for the purpose of affecting any part or function of the body." The key distinction the IRS makes is that the expense must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability or illness, not merely beneficial to general health.
The Zenthesia Sound Therapy Bed 2 is a professional-grade vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) device. Vibroacoustic therapy is a well-documented therapeutic modality that uses low-frequency sound vibrations (typically between 30 and 120 Hz) delivered directly through the body to produce measurable physiological effects. The research base spans decades and covers conditions ranging from chronic pain and anxiety to Parkinson's disease and PTSD.
Because the Sound Therapy Bed 2 is specifically engineered to be able to effectively deliver VAT frequencies. Using it for this therapeutic application that may qualify as a reimbursable medical expense when recommended by your healthcare provider. If you're still researching vibroacoustic beds, our vibroacoustic bed comparison guide breaks down what separates clinical-grade equipment from consumer products.
Important: The Sound Therapy Bed 2 Is Not a Medical Device
The Zenthesia Sound Therapy Bed 2 is not a medical device and is not marketed or sold as one. It is a professional-grade vibroacoustic and tactile sound delivery platform. However, vibroacoustic therapy itself is a well-documented therapeutic modality, and when your healthcare provider determines that VAT is medically appropriate for your condition, the equipment used to deliver that therapy may qualify as a reimbursable medical expense under your FSA or HSA. The product doesn't need to be classified as a "medical device" for the expense to qualify. It just needs to be recommended by a provider to treat a specific condition.
The "Dual-Use" Catch
Most FSA/HSA administrators classify therapy devices as "dual-use" products, meaning they can be used for either general wellness or specific medical purposes. To use your pre-tax funds, you'll need to establish that your purchase is for medical purposes. That's where the Letter of Medical Necessity comes in.
The Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)
A Letter of Medical Necessity is basically a doctor's note that connects your diagnosis to the recommended treatment. It's a formal document from a licensed healthcare provider explaining why a specific product or service is medically necessary for your health condition.
This is the single most important piece of the puzzle. A strong LMN makes the process straightforward. A vague one gets denied.
What a Strong LMN Should Include
- Your information: Full name, date of birth, insurance or account details
- Provider information: Name, credentials (MD, DO, DC, PT, etc.), NPI number, contact information, ideally on official letterhead
- Your diagnosis: Clear statement of your condition(s) with ICD-10 diagnostic codes
- Clinical justification: How vibroacoustic therapy specifically addresses your condition, why it's medically necessary (not just generally beneficial), and how the device fits into your treatment plan
- Prior treatments: Brief mention of other treatments attempted and why a home VAT device is the appropriate next step
- Duration: How long the provider recommends the treatment
- Signature and date
The Difference Between Weak and Strong LMN Language
Who Can Write an LMN?
The LMN must come from a licensed healthcare provider who is treating you. This includes medical doctors (MD/DO), chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, licensed psychologists or psychiatrists, naturopathic doctors (in states where licensed), nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
If your provider isn't familiar with vibroacoustic therapy, that's okay. Most are receptive when you share the clinical research. I'm happy to provide research references you can bring to your appointment. Just reach out.
Conditions That May Support an LMN
If you're being treated for any of the following conditions, your healthcare provider may determine that vibroacoustic therapy is an appropriate therapeutic intervention:
This isn't an exhaustive list. The determining factor is whether your provider can establish that vibroacoustic therapy serves a medical purpose for your specific situation.
The Process: Step by Step
Check With Your FSA/HSA Administrator
Before you buy, call your plan administrator and ask whether therapeutic medical devices or vibroacoustic therapy equipment can be reimbursed with an LMN. Every plan has slightly different requirements. Some have their own LMN forms that must be used. Better to know upfront.
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
Discuss vibroacoustic therapy with the provider who's treating you for a relevant condition. Be specific about your diagnosis and how you plan to use the device therapeutically. Ask them to write a Letter of Medical Necessity connecting your condition to the treatment.
Purchase the Sound Therapy Bed 2
You have two options here. You can pay directly with your FSA/HSA debit card if your administrator has pre-approved the purchase. Or you can pay with a personal credit card and submit for reimbursement afterward. This is actually the more common approach for higher-ticket items. If your account balance doesn't cover the full amount, you can split the payment.
Submit Your Documentation
Log into your FSA/HSA administrator's portal (Optum, HealthEquity, WageWorks, etc.) and submit a reimbursement claim with your receipt, your LMN, and any additional forms they require. Most claims process within 7–14 business days.
Keep Your Records
Maintain copies of everything: your receipt, LMN, and reimbursement confirmations. FSA/HSA purchases can be audited, and organized documentation protects you if questions come up.
How Much Can You Actually Save?
The math is simple. FSA/HSA funds are pre-tax, so your effective savings equal your combined marginal tax rate.
If you're in the 24% federal bracket with ~6% state tax and 7.65% FICA, your effective savings rate is roughly 37%. On a ~$7,000 purchase, that's approximately $2,600 in tax savings.
Even at lower brackets, the savings are real. A household in the 22% federal bracket with no state income tax still saves over $2,000.
And if your account balance doesn't cover the full amount, no problem. Submit a partial reimbursement for whatever your account holds, and pay the difference out of pocket.
FSA Holders: Watch Your Deadlines
FSA funds typically expire at the end of your plan year. If you've got unspent FSA dollars, a Sound Therapy Bed 2 is a far better use of that money than scrambling to buy drugstore items in December. HSA funds don't expire, so timing is less of a concern.
Tips for Getting Approved
Start before you buy. Having your LMN and administrator pre-approval in hand before you purchase makes the whole process smoother.
Be specific in the LMN. Generic language about "wellness" and "relaxation" gets denied. Specific ICD-10 codes, named conditions, and clinical rationale get approved.
Don't be discouraged by a denial. If your first claim gets kicked back, ask your administrator what additional documentation they need. Have your provider revise the LMN to address their specific concerns. Many denials result from insufficient documentation, not actual ineligibility.
Keep everything. Digital copies of your receipt, LMN, and any correspondence with your administrator. This is one of those situations where a little organization pays off.
Questions About the Process?
I can't provide tax advice, but I can provide detailed product information, technical specifications, and clinical research references that may be helpful for your healthcare provider when writing your LMN. I personally respond to every inquiry. You can also read what other customers are saying on our reviews page.
Contact Dave View the Sound Therapy Bed 2Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just use my FSA/HSA card directly at checkout?
Potentially, but it depends on your specific plan and administrator. The safer route is to pay with a personal card and submit for reimbursement with your LMN and receipt afterward. This gives you full control and avoids the awkwardness of a declined card if the merchant category code doesn't auto-approve.
Do I definitely need a Letter of Medical Necessity?
For a vibroacoustic therapy device, almost certainly yes. Unlike bandages or prescription medications, therapy devices aren't automatically classified as medical expenses. The LMN is what bridges that gap and substantiates your purchase as medically necessary.
What if my healthcare provider doesn't know what vibroacoustic therapy is?
This is more common than you'd think, and it's usually not a barrier. Most providers are receptive when you share the research. I can provide peer-reviewed references you can bring to your appointment. Contact me and I'll send them over. Once they see the clinical evidence, particularly around pain management, nervous system regulation, and sleep, most providers are comfortable writing the LMN.
How long is an LMN valid?
Most administrators consider an LMN valid for 12 months from the date it's issued. Check with your specific provider to confirm.
Can I use both my FSA and HSA together?
You generally can't have both a standard FSA and an HSA simultaneously (limited-purpose FSAs are the exception). But if you have one or the other, you can use whichever account you have. If your balance doesn't cover the full purchase, submit a partial reimbursement.
What if my claim gets denied?
Don't give up. Ask your administrator exactly why it was denied and what they need to approve it. Often it's a documentation issue. The LMN wasn't specific enough, or they need a particular form filled out. Have your provider revise the letter to address their concerns and resubmit.
Important Disclaimers
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, or medical advice. FSA and HSA eligibility is determined by your plan administrator and is subject to IRS regulations, which can change. Individual circumstances vary and approval is never guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider about whether vibroacoustic therapy is appropriate for your medical needs, and with your FSA/HSA administrator or a qualified tax professional about your specific eligibility before purchasing. Zenthesia does not guarantee FSA or HSA reimbursement for any purchase.
