dexcom stelo fsa hsa eligible Checklist (2026) | HSA Tracker

Locate your HSA or FSA plan documents or summary plan description.

These documents list eligible expense categories. Look for sections on medical devices, diabetes care, or monitoring equipment. They set the official rules your plan administrator will follow.

Call your plan administrator's customer service line.

A verbal confirmation is a good first step. Ask if over-the-counter glucose biosensors for managing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes are covered. Note the date, time, and representative's name.

Ask if a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is required for OTC devices.

Some administrators may still request an LMN from a doctor, even for an OTC product, to substantiate the medical need. Knowing this upfront lets you get the document before you buy.

Confirm your account has sufficient funds for the purchase.

Stelo costs $99 for a one-time purchase or $89 per month for a subscription. Ensure your HSA/FSA balance can cover this to avoid card declines or out-of-pocket payments you didn't plan for.

Verify the merchant category code (MCC) for Dexcom's store is accepted.

Some HSA/FSA cards block transactions from merchants with certain MCCs. Ask your administrator if purchases from 'Dexcom, Inc.' or medical supply stores typically process without issue.

Decide between a one-time purchase or a subscription.

A subscription at $89/month offers a discount and free shipping, saving money long-term. A one-time $99 purchase is better for testing eligibility or if your needs are irregular. Choose based on your commitment and cash flow.

At checkout, try using your HSA/FSA debit card first.

Using the card directly is the simplest method. The transaction will appear on your account statement, providing immediate substantiation. If it works, you skip the reimbursement paperwork.

If the card is declined, do not retry multiple times.

Multiple declines could flag your card for fraud. Follow Stelo's guidance: contact your plan administrator to resolve the issue, or pay with a personal card and seek reimbursement.

Pay with a personal credit card if the HSA/FSA card fails.

Paying with a personal card gives you a standard credit card receipt and statement. This is often easier documentation to submit for reimbursement than a declined transaction log.

Apply any available promo codes for subscription discounts.

Beyond the standard 10% subscription discount, look for offers like a 15% discount on 3-month subscriptions. Using these lowers your out-of-pocket cost and maximizes the value of your HSA/FSA dollars.

Ensure your shipping address is correct on the order.

The receipt and invoice will use this address. If it doesn't match your account records with your HSA/FSA administrator, it could cause minor delays during reimbursement verification.

Save the immediate order confirmation email from Dexcom.

This email has the order number, date, items purchased, and price. It's the first piece of evidence showing what you bought and when, which is required for expense substantiation.

Download the final invoice from your Stelo account after shipment.

The final invoice often has more details than the confirmation email, like a formal invoice number, shipping cost (free), and a clearer breakdown. Administrators frequently request this specific document.

Print a PDF copy of the invoice and save it digitally.

Create both physical and digital backups. Store the digital copy in a dedicated folder (e.g., 'Tax Documents 2026/HSA Expenses'). This protects against data loss and makes tax preparation easier.

If you paid by personal card, save the credit card statement page.

The statement shows the transaction posted to your account. Match the date and amount to your Stelo invoice. This creates a chain of evidence from merchant to your payment method.

Note the medical purpose: 'Glucose monitoring for diabetes management.'

Write this purpose on your printed invoice or in a note file. Explicitly linking the expense to a qualified medical purpose strengthens your documentation for the IRS, which asks for the purpose of the expense.

File these records with your other tax documents for the year.

HSAs can be audited years after the fact. Keeping all HSA expense records with your annual tax return materials ensures you can find them quickly if the IRS has questions.

Log into your HSA/FSA online portal to start a reimbursement claim.

Most administrators have an online form. Starting the claim promptly ensures you don't forget and miss a deadline, especially for FSAs with 'use-it-or-lose-it' rules.

Upload the Stelo final invoice and credit card statement.

Attach clear, legible files. The invoice proves what you bought, and the statement proves you paid for it. This two-document combo satisfies most administrator requirements.

Enter the expense date and amount exactly as on the invoice.

Data entry errors can delay reimbursement. Copy the date and total amount (including tax and shipping) directly from your saved invoice to avoid mismatches that trigger manual review.

Categorize the expense as 'Medical Equipment' or 'Diabetes Supplies.'

Selecting the correct category in your portal helps the administrator's system auto-approve the claim. An incorrect category might flag it for manual inspection, slowing down your reimbursement.

Track the reimbursement status until funds are deposited.

Don't assume submission equals approval. Check the claim status in your portal every few days. If it's pending or denied, you can address any issues quickly, often within the required appeal window.

Adjust future HSA contributions if Stelo becomes a regular expense.

A $89 monthly subscription costs $1068 annually. Factor this into your HSA contribution strategy for the next year to ensure you're setting aside enough pre-tax dollars to cover it comfortably.

Set a calendar reminder to reassess Stelo's value before renewal.

After 6-12 months, evaluate if Stelo's data is helping you manage your glucose. Also, check if insurance coverage policies have changed or if new OTC competitors offer better HSA/FSA value.