Air purifiers are quickly becoming a staple in many households, and it’s easy to see their appeal. Besides keeping the air smelling fresh, these devices can sift out harmful airborne pollutants and allergens linked to all sorts of health issues, from asthma and allergies to lung cancer and heart disease. But if you’re considering getting an air purifier for your home or office, you may wonder if your health insurance will cover or discount the cost.
As with most things, the details matter. So, let’s explore whether you can pay for an air purifier through your health insurance plan and how you can still save money if the purchase isn’t covered under your policy.
Despite their many health benefits, air purifiers usually aren’t covered by most health insurers. They are generally categorized as comfort, convenience, or environmental control gadgets, and are not deemed “medically necessary” for treating a specific medical condition, Healthline explains. Yes, air purifiers can optimize your indoor air quality and, in some ways, improve your health and wellness. However, they don’t currently qualify as Durable Medical Equipment (DME), such as nebulizers, oxygen tanks, and wheelchairs, which many insurance providers typically cover. So no, you cannot purchase an air purifier through your health insurance, even if you have a prescription.
If your health insurance coverage won’t help foot the bill for an air purifier, don’t stress about it. There may be ways to help lower the out-of-pocket cost. For example, eligible air purifiers like TrustedAir’s Smart HEPA Air Purifier can be purchased with funds from a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA).
Short for “flexible spending account” or “flexible spending arrangement,” an FSA is an employer-sponsored savings account that lets you set aside pre-tax dollars each year to pay for current and future medical expenses your insurance won’t cover. This can include payments for qualified services and items like co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, and, yes, even air purifiers.
Keep in mind, though, that traditional FSAs generally have a spending deadline of Dec. 31. Unless your employer offers a “grace period” (typically 2½ months or up to $660), your unused FSA balance won’t carry over to the next year. So, if you’re considering purchasing an air purifier with your FSA funds, now’s the best time to do so.
Not to be confused with an FSA, a health savings account (HSA) is a personal financial account set up exclusively to help cover eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, including air purifiers, with pre-tax funds. But not everyone can open an HSA. UnitedHealthcare says a customer must be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) per the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements.
Unlike with an FSA, HSA funds never expire; they roll over year over year, so you never have to worry about losing your savings. Furthermore, you can invest the money in your HSA and grow your savings over time.
The IRS doesn’t publish a tidy “yes or no” list for air purifiers. Instead, it comes down to one thing: can your doctor argue that the purifier is medically necessary? If the answer is yes, you’re in business.
Some situations where people have actually had success:
Asthma and chronic respiratory problems – For many patients, even a little pollen or pet dander is enough to spark an attack. A HEPA purifier, paired with a doctor’s note, can make all the difference.
Cystic fibrosis or fragile immune systems – Parents in FSA forums have mentioned they were reimbursed after their child’s specialist recommended cleaner air to cut infection risk.
Mold allergies – This one pops up often. If your home or work environment is mold-prone, and your physician ties it directly to your symptoms, an LMN usually gets approved.
Recovery cases – People coming out of lung surgery (or sometimes even battling sleep apnea) have had doctors prescribe purifiers to reduce irritants during recovery.
Chronic illness overlaps – COPD, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, heart disease — none of these improve with polluted indoor air. If your doctor says cleaner air eases strain on your system, insurers may allow it.
But here’s the catch: if you just “like the idea of fresher air,” or want to reduce cooking smells, that’s almost always denied. The IRS wants to see a clear medical reason, not comfort.
If you have a qualified health condition or concern, you can use your FSA/HSA dollars to purchase an eligible air purifier (and the replacement filters they need).
Follow these steps to get your air purifier expense approved under your FSA or HSA plan:
The cost of a portable air purifier (the kind you move from room to room) ranges from $50 for super-budget-friendly options to $1,000 or more for higher-end models. Luckily, you can save as much as 30 percent on your purchase by using your FSA or HSA.
Take the TrustedAir Smart Air Purifier, for example. Originally, this top-rated air purifier costs $249, but you’ll only pay around $174 ($75 off) with your FSA or HSA. That’s all, while still getting a bunch of powerful and innovative features, including:
Plus, with TrustedAir’s one-year standard warranty and lifetime guarantee, you can breathe easy knowing your purifier is always protected.
Air purifiers have gone from niche gadgets to household essentials. They not only refresh indoor air but also proactively protect against all kinds of maladies. While most insurers won’t cover the purchase of an air purifier even with a prescription, you may still save money on eligible purifiers by using your FSA/HSA plan. Just make sure to get a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor.
If you’d like to learn more about purchasing a TrustedAir Smart Air Purifier with your FSA or HSA or inquire about our flexible financing options, contact us today to get answers to any questions you may have.
Unfortunately, Medicare generally doesn’t cover air purifiers, as they do not qualify as durable medical equipment (DME). In some cases, however, a doctor may prescribe a purifier as a DME, upon which, a person with a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan may use their flex card benefits to help cover the cost, Medical News Today explains. Still, there’s no guarantee the expense will be approved.
Yes, TrustedAir’s Smart HEPA Air Purifiers can be purchased with your FSA or HSA as long as it’s accompanied by a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor.
A letter of medical necessity is much like a prescription from a doctor or other licensed healthcare provider. It is a written letter pre-authorizing a service or item to help treat, diagnose, or prevent an illness or disease, such as an air purifier to help reduce allergies.
Yes, you can use your FSA or HSA funds to buy replacement filters if the air purifier was purchased with either plan.
TrustedAir offers financing plans with flexible, interest-free monthly payment options to lower the upfront cost of their air purifiers. You may combine your FSA/HSA dollars with these financing options, shop for air purifiers during sales or look for discounts, or use your no- or low-interest credit card for generous cashbacks on health and wellness purchases, including air purifiers.
