Flexible Savings and Healthcare Savings used for therapeutic massage? YES!!!
IS MY MASSAGE ELIGIBLE?
Many don't realize that HSA & FSA funds can be used to pay for virtually any type of medical service, as long as it pertains to the treatment or prevention of a specific health condition. Massage therapy can be a qualified medical expense as long as a health care professional or physician recommends it with a written prescription. Please check with your insurance provider for details.
The IRS states that medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental ailment. Some examples that can qualify include carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, back pain, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, & pain management.
FIRST STEPS
All you need to do to set up massage as a "qualifying expense" is set up a visit to your healthcare professional. Let them know that you would like to use some of your FSA or HSA funds toward massage for treatment or prevention of your condition.
A health care professional must provide "3" pieces of information on the prescription for the cost of massage therapy to be an eligible medical expense with the request for reimbursement.
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MEDICAL NECESSITY: why you need massage therapy. A doctor's note or letter of medical necessity that specifically identifies that the recommendation & expense is for treatment of the medical condition
(example: to relieve back pain)
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FREQUENCY: number of sessions per month
(example: minimum of 2 sessions per month)
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DURATION: length of your treatment (example: 12 months)
Once you've obtained the prescription, please bring the prescription to our office on the day of your first treatment then file it away in case you are ever asked to back up the expense.
Bring in your FlexCard or your designated HSA debit card to pay for your next visit. If you don't have a FlexCard or an HSA debit card, you can pay for your massage & turn in your receipt for reimbursement.
Note: You can't include tips or pre-pay for your massages using these funds.