Will Insurance Cover MetaFlex Compression Gloves? Our Insurance and FSA/HSA Guide
One of the biggest barriers to healthcare access is cost. MetaFlex inventor Téa Phillips understands this firsthand and has made affordability a core mission of her company.
The Short Answer: Yes, MetaFlex Can Be Covered
As Téa Phillips explains: > "And we also just recently got covered by insurance. So if you can get your doctor to prescribe you something like MetaFlex, you can get it covered that way. There's also FSA and HSA, your health and flexible spending accounts because MetaFlex is a class one medical device."
MetaFlex gloves are eligible for insurance coverage, FSA (Flexible Spending Account), and HSA (Health Savings Account) reimbursement because they are an FDA-registered Class 1 medical device.
Understanding MetaFlex's Medical Device Status
FDA Registration Process
Téa initially didn't realize MetaFlex would need FDA registration: > "Yeah, first I was like, this is not a medical device. This is a compression glove. Are you kidding me? Like, there's no way. And so I emailed the FDA and they're like, yeah, compression changes the way the body functions."
"It's a class one medical device. It's 510k exempt. So I just had to find the category that it fell into and then pay the FDA a stupid amount of money that keeps going up every year."
This FDA classification is crucial because it means MetaFlex meets strict safety and quality standards, qualifying it for insurance coverage and FSA/HSA eligibility.
What This Means for You
The medical device status ensures:
- Quality Standards: Manufactured to FDA specifications
- Safety Testing: Meets regulatory requirements for medical devices
- Insurance Eligibility: Qualifies for insurance reimbursement when prescribed
- Tax Benefits: Eligible for FSA/HSA purchases
Getting Insurance Coverage: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Get a Doctor's Prescription
"So if you can get your doctor to prescribe you something like MetaFlex, you can get it covered that way."
Who Can Prescribe:
- Primary care physician
- Rheumatologist
- Orthopedic specialist
- Hand surgeon
- Physical therapist (in some states)
What to Tell Your Doctor:
- Specific symptoms (arthritis pain, carpal tunnel, trigger finger, etc.)
- How hand pain affects your daily activities
- Previous treatments you've tried
- Interest in compression and grip strengthening therapy
2. Insurance Claim Process
For Prescription Coverage:
- Get written prescription from healthcare provider
- Submit prescription and receipt to insurance company
- Follow your plan's durable medical equipment (DME) procedures
- Keep all documentation for reimbursement
Coverage Varies By Plan:
- Some plans cover 100% with prescription
- Others require meeting deductible first
- Check your specific DME benefits
FSA and HSA: Your Easiest Option
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
"There's also FSA and HSA, your health and flexible spending accounts because MetaFlex is a class one medical device."
FSA Benefits:
- Use pre-tax dollars for MetaFlex gloves
- No prescription required for FSA purchases
- Immediate tax savings
- Can cover family member purchases
How to Use FSA:
- Purchase MetaFlex gloves
- Submit receipt to FSA administrator
- Get reimbursed from your FSA account
- Keep receipt showing medical device classification
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
HSA Advantages:
- Pre-tax contributions
- Tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses
- Funds roll over year to year
- No prescription needed
HSA Process:
- Pay for MetaFlex with HSA debit card, or
- Pay out-of-pocket and reimburse yourself from HSA
- Keep receipts for tax records
Why MetaFlex Made Affordability a Priority
Téa's personal experience drives the company's commitment to accessibility:
"MetaFlex is intentionally very affordable to make sure that everyone who needs this care can get it."
"And she didn't have a lot of money. So she wasn't regularly going to a doctor that wasn't like the stomach doctor or the cancer doctor. She had so many health problems and a lot of it was caused. They were chronic conditions and they were caused by the fact that she was low income her whole life. And that stress really affects your health."
The Cost Barrier Problem
"Many people can't afford to go to the doctor or a therapist regularly, whether that's because they can't afford to take time off work or the copay or the bill you get after you visit is too high."
Téa understands healthcare costs personally: > "Affordable healthcare is like the whole reason why I did this. I grew up in rural Tennessee without much money and I have cried over $40 copay. I know what it's like to not be able to afford the treatment that you need."
VA Medical Centers: Special Coverage for Veterans
VA Availability
"If you're a veteran, we're selling in a few VA medical centers across the country. And if we're not in your VA medical center, have them reach out to me and we can get it supplied for you."
Current VA Benefits:
- Available at select VA medical centers
- Working to expand availability
- Direct contact with company for unlisted locations
- Part of veteran support mission
For Veterans:
- Check with your VA medical center
- Ask about MetaFlex availability
- Request VA contact company if not available
- May be covered under VA medical benefits
Documentation You'll Need
For Insurance Claims:
- Doctor's prescription
- Purchase receipt
- Insurance claim form
- Medical device documentation
For FSA/HSA:
- Purchase receipt showing MetaFlex as medical device
- Optional: Letter of medical necessity from doctor
- Your FSA/HSA account information
Helpful Documentation:
- MetaFlex product information
- FDA registration details
- Clinical use cases and testimonials
The Investment vs. Alternative Costs
MetaFlex Cost Comparison
"And it's really affordable. So we sell a pair of gloves for less than $60"
Compare to Ongoing Costs:
- Physical therapy sessions: $75-150 per visit
- Doctor visits: $200-400 per visit
- Prescription medications: $30-200+ monthly
- Hand surgery: $3,000-15,000+
Long-term Value
"I have people who used to use pain cream for their arthritis that don't have to use that anymore because the glove has helped to reduce their pain like on a long-term basis."
One-time purchase that many customers use to replace:
- Regular therapy visits
- Daily pain medications
- Expensive medical treatments
- Time off work for appointments
Getting Started with Coverage
Questions for Your Doctor:
- "Would compression and grip strengthening therapy help my condition?"
- "Can you prescribe MetaFlex gloves for my [arthritis/carpal tunnel/hand pain]?"
- "How should I document this for insurance purposes?"
Questions for Your Insurance:
- "Do you cover durable medical equipment with a prescription?"
- "What's my DME benefit coverage?"
- "Do I need prior authorization for compression gloves?"
FSA/HSA Quick Start:
- Purchase MetaFlex gloves
- Save receipt showing medical device status
- Submit for reimbursement
- Get immediate tax savings
Still Have Questions?
"I love talking to my customers. So send us a message and let's chat."
Contact MetaFlex:
- Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- Check customer testimonials and reviews
- Review press coverage for more insights from Téa's recent interviews
Remember Téa's Promise:
"Metaflex will always be affordable... there's always going to be the Metaflex that is affordable for a pair of gloves so that anyone in the world that is having problems with their hands can pop into their local corner store or my website or Amazon and get a pair of gloves that's going to relieve their pain and improve their mobility."
With multiple pathways to coverage and a commitment to affordability, MetaFlex gloves are designed to be accessible to everyone who needs hand pain relief and improved mobility.
Ready to get started? Shop MetaFlex gloves and explore your coverage options today.