Quick Answer: Your LMN includes your personal information, a medical diagnosis (with ICD-10 code), the specific products recommended, a medical necessity statement from a licensed healthcare provider, and the treatment duration. It's designed to meet the requirements of most HSA/FSA admins.
Breaking Down Your LMN
Your Letter of Medical Necessity from Crates is specifically designed to check the boxes that HSA/FSA admins look for. Here's what it includes:
1. Patient & Member Information
Your full name
Relevant eligibility details
2. Medical Diagnosis
Your specific diagnosed condition(s)
ICD-10 code - This is the standardized medical classification code that healthcare systems use worldwide. For example, E11 is the code for Type 2 diabetes, I10 is for hypertension, F41.1 is for generalized anxiety disorder.
Including the ICD-10 code makes your LMN much more credible to admins.
3. Treatment Recommendation
The specific products or services being recommended (not just a general category)
Written by a licensed healthcare provider
Clearly tied to your diagnosis
4. Medical Necessity Statement
An explanation of how the recommended product treats, prevents, or manages your specific condition
This is the most important part - it connects the dots between your health need and the purchase
5. Duration of Treatment
How long the treatment plan covers (typically 12 months)
This matters for recurring expenses like gym memberships and subscriptions
6. Provider Information & Signature
Name and credentials of the licensed provider who reviewed your case
Their signature
Date of issuance
Why Does the Format Matter?
Different HSA/FSA admins have different standards for what they accept. Your Crates LMN is designed to meet the requirements of the most common admins, including HealthEquity, Optum, WEX, Navia, Fidelity, FSAFEDS, and many others.
The format includes everything the IRS requires and what admins typically look for when substantiating a claim.
Who Signs My LMN?
Your LMN is signed by a licensed healthcare provider (MD, DO, PA, NP) on our team. All are qualified to diagnose conditions and issue medical necessity documentation under IRS guidelines.
If your admin has any issue with your LMN, contact us — we can help. See our article on what to do if your LMN is rejected.
How to Use Your LMN
Once you have your LMN:
Keep it safe - Store it where you can find it easily. You'll need it when submitting claims.
Submit it with your reimbursement claim — When you request reimbursement from your HSA/FSA admin, include your LMN along with your itemized receipt.
Keep it for your records — The IRS can audit you up to 10 years after a transaction. Crates stores your LMNs and receipts on your dashboard for easy access.
You can access your LMN anytime from your Crates Health dashboard.
How Long Is It Valid?
Most LMNs are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. After that, you'll need a renewal for ongoing expenses (like gym memberships or supplement subscriptions).
If you're on an active Crates subscription, renewals are handled automatically.
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