Multivitamins: HSA Eligibility

What are multivitamins?

Multivitamins are preparations of vitamins that are intended for consumption by people who do not normally take in the necessary vitamins for a healthy life, or are on a special diet that prevents them from acquiring the vitamins they need for a healthy life, or have a specific medical condition, situation or disease for which the multivitamin would treat or alleviate (National Institutes of Health).

Vitamins help our bodies grow, develop and function properly. Most people get sufficient vitamins from a normal diet, but in certain occasions a vitamin supplement or multivitamin is necessary. Common examples of people who may need multivitamins include small children and the elderly. Multivitamins often contain certain elements that a person may need to stay healthy or to alleviate a medical condition. The elderly, for example, benefit from multivitamins when there is an increased risk of bone loss. Women who expect to become pregnant should take folic acid.

Multivitamins should be stored away from direct heat and light, and kept in a cool, dry place. Room temperature is usually fine for storing multivitamins.

Multivitamins may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a medical professional if they will be primarily used to treat or alleviate a specific medical condition.

Multivitamins are all formulated differently, usually based on gender and age, and a prescription should specify a generic brand or type of multivitamin that a person should use. Multivitamins can cause health problems if consumed too often, so users of multivitamins should check with their medical professional about regular consumption and dosages (WebMD).