Wellness Spending Account (WSA) Categories

A Wellness Spending Account (WSA) is only as good as what it covers.

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While Health Spending Accounts are strictly for eligible medical expenses, a WSA is designed to be flexible, allowing you to fund the lifestyle and wellness perks that actually matter to your team.

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Below is the master list of eligible categories available on Hiveworks.

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As an employer, you have total control: you can offer the full suite to give your team maximum choice, or toggle off specific categories to match your company culture and budget.

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Part 1: Popular Categories

(The core essentials)

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1. Fitness & Memberships

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Ongoing access to gyms and instructor-led training that builds consistent activity.

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• Gym or health-related memberships
• Yoga, Pilates, spin, rowing, CrossFit, and related class packs
• Monthly or annual studio subscriptions
• Race entries and event-day fees

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2. Health Wearables

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Devices that measure activity, recovery, sleep, or training quality.

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• Fitness trackers, GPS watches, smart rings
• Heart rate straps and cycling power meters
• Smart scales
• Replacement straps and charging docks

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3. Sports & Recreation

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Costs for equipment and fees for organized or individual sports where movement is the goal.

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• Adult league fees, court, ice, field, or lane rentals, and green fees
• Bicycles and core cycling gear (helmets, lights, locks)
• Golf, ski, and racquet gear (clubs, bags, skis, snowboards, racquets)

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4. Recovery & Mobility

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Options that keep your team training consistently by improving recovery and range of motion.

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• Massage therapy and spa visits
• Assisted stretch sessions and mobility classes
• Sauna and cold plunge sessions
• Compression therapy lounges

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5. Health Subscriptions

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Ongoing memberships and digital programs that help your team build healthier routines and stay consistent over time.

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• Fitness, mobility, or training app subscriptions
• Meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork memberships
• Sleep tracking or coaching platforms
• Nutrition, hydration, or habit-tracking programs
• Multi-platform wellness subscriptions

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6. Nutrition & Weight Management

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Guided support for eating habits and body composition built on education and practice.

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• Nutrition coaching and meal planning
• Sports nutrition consults
• Group education on shopping, prep, and portions
• Evidence-based weight management programs

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7. Home Gym Equipment

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Equipment that directly enables strength, conditioning, or mobility training at home.

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• Dumbbells, kettlebells, barbells, and plates
• Power racks, benches, and pull-up bars
• Rowers, exercise bikes, and treadmills
• Resistance bands, suspension trainers, and yoga mats

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8. Home Office Wellness

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Gear that improves posture, reduces strain, and supports movement while working.

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• Ergonomic chairs and sit-stand desks
• Desk converters, monitor arms, and laptop stands
• Split or vertical keyboards and ergonomic mice
• Footrests and task lighting for visual comfort

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9. Mental Wellbeing

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Access to mental health support and performance coaching outside of traditional health plans.

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• Counselling or therapy not claimed under HSA
• Life, performance, or resilience coaching
• Mindfulness and meditation courses
• Stress management workshops

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10. Financial Contributions

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Supports long-term financial wellbeing through personal savings and investment programs that build security.

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• Employee contributions to Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) or Spousal RRSPs
• Contributions to Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs)
• Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) contributions for dependants
• Service fees for registered accounts (when tied to an eligible contribution)

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11. Additional Health & Dental (Top-Up)

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A simple top-up for all health and dental costs that would have been submitted to HSA. To be used when the HSA limit has been maxed.

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• Any CRA-eligible medical expense (Dental, Vision, Drugs, Paramedical) incurred after the HSA limit is reached.

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Part 2: Additional Categories

(Niche perks to customize your plan)

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12. Commuting & Transit

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Transport choices that build daily activity and reduce commuting stress.

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• Public transit passes and commuter rail cards
• Bike share memberships and bicycle maintenance
• Essential lights, locks, helmets, and reflective gear

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13. Family Wellness

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Services that support a healthy family environment and the transition into parenthood.

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• Prenatal and postnatal classes
• Childbirth education and lactation consulting
• Infant and child safety classes
• Family activity programs

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14. Travel & Wellness Retreats

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Trips where physical activity or structured wellbeing is the primary purpose.

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• Flights or transportation to a booked race, fitness camp, or active retreat
• Hotel or short-term lodging for event or retreat dates
• Guided hiking, trekking, cycling, paddle, or ski weekends
• Yoga, meditation, or fitness retreat fees

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15. Outdoor & Adventure

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Access to the outdoors where movement is the focus.

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• National or provincial park passes
• Guided hikes and outdoor skills courses
• Day rentals for canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards
• Climbing or bouldering day entries

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16. Recreation & Culture

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Recreation programs that support mental and social wellbeing through active participation.

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• Dance, swimming, art, or pottery classes
• Museum memberships tied to workshops or programs
• Youth or adult community rec programs
• Community centre passes and lessons

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17. Professional Development

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Education that improves wellbeing skills employees can use for life.

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• Courses and workshops on sleep, stress, or habit formation
• Conferences on wellbeing and psychological safety
• Books and materials for health and wellbeing skills

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18. First Aid & Safety

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Readiness for emergencies.

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• Standard First Aid and CPR course fees
• AED awareness or workplace readiness courses
• Personal first aid kits and replenishment supplies

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19. Pet Wellness

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Preventive and routine care that helps pets stay healthy and supports overall household wellbeing.

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• Annual veterinary exams and core vaccinations
• Dental cleanings and grooming for health/hygiene
• Nutritional consultations or weight management plans
• Pet insurance premiums or wellness plan fees

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20. Financial Wellness (Coaching)

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Coaching that supports better financial decisions.

• Sessions with accredited financial coaches
• Budgeting or debt reduction courses
• Workshops on saving and financial planning

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21. Culinary Skills

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Practical skills that make healthy eating easier and more affordable.

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• Healthy cooking classes and meal-prep workshops
• Grocery shopping and label-reading sessions
• Knife skills and kitchen safety courses

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22. Sleep Hardware

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Simple environment upgrades that lead to better sleep quality.

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• Blackout curtains and basic sleep masks
• White-noise machines
• Ergonomic pillows and mattress toppers
• Bedside amber lighting for sleep routines

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