Can You Use Your FSA/HSA Funds to Pay for Massage?

Hey there! Did you know that getting a massage isn't just about relaxing, it can actually be super helpful for dealing with stress, pain, and muscle tension? And guess what - you might be able to use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for those massages. With FSAs and HSAs, you can use money before it's taxed for certain health expenses, which can save you some cash. Find out how you can cut down on the cost of your massages by using these accounts!

In order to get your massages covered by your FSA or HSA, you'll need to show that it's medically necessary. Ask your doctor to write you a prescription for treating a specific medical issue such as:

• Chronic pain (e.g., long-term back pain, fibromyalgia)

• Acute Muscle Strain

  • Examples:

    • Lifting something heavy without bending your knees; putting all the strain on your lower back.

    • Reaching or twisting awkwardly to grab something or falling and twisting your body can strain muscles in the back or sides.

    • Slipping or falling

    • Not warming up property before physical activity

    • Swinging a tennis racket or a golf club repetitively leading to a strain in the shoulder or arm muscles (Pickleball anyone?)

    • sleeping in an awkward position

    • sudden movement after inactivity

• Soft Tissue Injury

  • Damage to muscles, ligaments, or tendons that can happen due to trauma or an accident.

  • Examples:

    • sprained ankle from tripping or falling

    • whiplash from a car accident

    • tennis elbow

    • lifting heavy objects above the head repeatedly, leading to a rotator cuff injury

    • pulled hamstring during sports

    • strained lower back from lifting improperly

    • strained wrist from repetitive motions like typing at a keyboard

    • torn Achilles tendon from a sudden jump

• Anxiety or stress-related disorders

• Arthritis

• Migraines

• Sciatica

• Post-Surgical Recovery

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  
  

The key point here is medically necessary. If you’re getting a massage simply for relaxation or general wellness without a prescription, unfortunately it won’t be eligible for reimbursement through FSA or HSA.

Steps to Use Your FSA or HSA for Massage Therapy

1. Get a Doctor’s Prescription: To qualify for FSA or HSA reimbursement, you’ll need a doctor to write a prescription or a “Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)”, which includes

   • Your diagnosis and date

   • Reason why the product or service is needed

   • Duration of treatment

   • Their relationship to you, contact information, and signature

2. Pay with Your FSA or HSA: Once you have the prescription, you can pay for your massage therapy directly with your FSA or HSA debit card. If your provider doesn’t accept these cards, you can pay out of pocket and submit a claim for reimbursement. **I DO accept FSA/HSA debit cards!

3. Keep Records: Make sure you keep a copy of the prescription and all receipts related to your massage therapy. Some FSA and HSA administrators may require these documents when you submit a claim.

4. Submit Claims for Reimbursement: If you don’t use your FSA or HSA card to pay directly, you’ll need to submit the receipts and a copy of the prescription to your account provider for reimbursement. Be sure to check the deadlines for claim submissions for FSAs, especially if you’re nearing the end of your plan year.

   
   

   Typical massage therapies prescribed by physicians include:

   • Deep tissue massage

   • Trigger point therapy

   • Sports massage

   • Myofascial release

   • Lymphatic drainage massage

   • Neuromuscular therapy

   • Prenatal massage

   • Reflexology