If you know what an HSA or FSA is, we don’t need to explain it, but basically you can use pre tax funds to pay for your healthcare needs. You can use this for over the counter medications, diabetic supplies, etc. But does your HSA cover massage?
Is My Massage An Eligible Charge?
The IRS ruling states that medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental ailment. So… yes. Massage can be a qualified medical expense although most insurances will require a doctors order for it. Examples of illnesses that qualify include carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, back pain, arthritis, sciatica, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression and pain management.
How To Get Your Massage Covered
Throughout pregnancy and postpartum, there are many pregnancy pains you may experience. Simply talk to your doctor and let them know you have an FSA or HSA and you’d like to use some of your funds toward massage for treatment or management of your symptoms.
There are 3 things your physician will need to include in the note:
- Medical necessity: why you need massage therapy. Example: to relieve sciatic pain worsened during your pregnancy.
- Frequency: number of sessions per month. Example: minimum of two sessions per month.
- Duration: length of treatment. Example: throughout pregnancy and 6 months postpartum.
While you do not need to bring your note/prescription with you to Maternal Massage, you should keep it on hand in case you are ever asked by your insurance to back up the expense. Note that you can’t include tips or pay for your entire membership upfront.
Contact us at 801-505-8896 is you have questions or click here to book your next appointment.