Can You Use Fsa For Massage? Find Out Now!

Are you dealing with pain or tension in your body? Have you considered getting a massage to relieve the stress and discomfort? Not only can massages be incredibly relaxing, but they can also provide relief from chronic pain and sore muscles.

But let’s talk about the elephant in the room – cost. Massages can be expensive, which is why some people wonder if their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can cover the costs. An FSA is an account that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for certain medical expenses, including prescription drugs, copayments, and more.

“Healthcare doesn’t just mean doctors and medication. It includes complementary practices like massage.” -Kathleen Lisson

The good news is that under certain conditions, it is possible to use FSA funds to pay for massage therapy. However, not all massages are created equal, and there are specific requirements you must meet before you can use your FSA for this purpose.

If you’re wondering whether you can use your FSA for massage therapy, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about using your Flexible Spending Account to cover massage treatments, so you can make informed decisions regarding your healthcare and budget concerns.

Understanding FSA and Its Benefits

What is FSA?

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-advantaged financial account that allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for out-of-pocket expenses related to healthcare, dependent care or transportation. By participating in an FSA program, employees can reduce their taxable income while earning valuable monetary benefits.

An FSA works on the principle of “use it or lose it,” meaning any funds not used by year-end will be forfeited back to the employer. Therefore, careful planning is needed when deciding how much to contribute to an FSA account each year.

Benefits of FSA

The main benefit of having an FSA account is saving money on taxes. By deducting contributions from their gross salary before taxes are calculated, employees can save up on federal, state and social security taxes. This translates into a substantial reduction in taxable income and lower overall taxes paid at the end of the year.

Another advantage of FSA accounts is they cover a wide range of medical expenses that aren’t usually covered under traditional health insurance plans, such as co-payments, deductibles, prescriptions, some home-care costs, hospital bills, dental work and orthodontia.

Note: Starting 2020, over-the-counter medications without a prescription no longer require doctor’s approval to qualify for reimbursement through an FSA account.

Types of FSA Accounts

There are three types of FSA accounts: Health Care FSAs, Dependent Care FSAs, and Limited Purpose FSAs.

• Health Care FSA: An HCFSA usually covers all eligible medical expenses, including co-pays, deductibles, prescriptions, surgeries and vision care.
• Dependent Care FSA: A DCFSA covers qualified dependent care expenses such as day-care services or pre-school tuition fees. The account holder must have a qualifying child or dependent in order to use the funds for this type of FSA.
• Limited Purpose FSA: An LPFSA is designed specifically for employees who enroll in a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with an accompanying HSA. This type of account only covers eligible dental and vision costs.

Can You Use FSA For Massage?

Under IRS guidelines, massage therapy can be reimbursed through an FSA if it’s medically necessary i.e., used to treat a diagnosed medical condition. If you suffer from back pain caused by orthopedic malfunctions or muscular strain, massage sessions performed by a licensed therapist could qualify as a covered expense. In general, anything that can alleviate bodily tension, improve flexibility or promote circulation may qualify as “medical care” under tax laws.

“Medical care expenses are amounts paid for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body.” -IRS Website

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe therapeutic massages as part of a larger medical treatment plan for certain conditions like: sports injuries, chronic headaches, fibromyalgia, circulatory problems or prenatal stress. Under such circumstances, FSA funds can be used to cover these expenses up to the annual maximum set by the employer.

Note: Most employers require substantiation for all FSA claims – this means written proof of the therapeutic nature of the claim. Keep copies of receipts, invoices and doctor’s notes just in case your company requires them for FSA approval.

How to Enroll in FSA

To enroll in an FSA, employees must apply during their employer’s open enrollment period. Once enrolled, they can begin contributing a certain amount each pay period towards the account balance. Eligible expenses can be reimbursed from the account up to its annual maximum limit set by the employer

The amounts that you sign up for will be deducted on a pre-tax basis per paycheck throughout the year, and then submitted through your benefit plan website or mobile application as you incur medical expenses.

Note: Be sure to keep track of your expenses throughout the year so that you don’t leave any funds unused before the end of the coverage period. Most employers provide grace periods or rollover options but it’s always best to know what coverage applies under your particular FSA program.

What Is Covered Under FSA?

Medical Expenses

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible medical expenses. Medical expenses refer to any cost related to the diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of a physical or mental illness. This includes regular doctor visits, specialist consultations, lab tests, x-rays, surgeries, hospital stays, and more.

You can use your FSA funds to cover copays, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for these medical services. Additionally, certain alternative therapies such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, and naturopathy may also qualify if they are prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider.

Prescription Drugs

In addition to medical expenses, FSAs also cover prescription drugs that are used to treat medical conditions. This includes not only traditional prescriptions but also over-the-counter (OTC) medications with a doctor’s prescription, such as allergy medicine and pain relievers.

It’s important to note that some OTC medications, like multivitamins and supplements, are not eligible for reimbursement through FSA accounts unless they are medically necessary for a specific condition or diagnosed disease. Make sure you check with your plan administrator before using FSA funds for this purpose.

Medical Devices

FSAs also provide coverage for a wide range of medical devices. These include durable medical equipment like braces, crutches, and wheelchairs, as well as items like blood glucose monitors and testing strips, hearing aids, and contact lenses.

Note that cosmetic procedures, non-prescription sunglasses, and other beauty supplies do not qualify under FSA guidelines.

“We encourage people to be informed health care consumers, read their plan documents carefully, and ask questions if they’re unsure whether a particular expense is eligible or not.” – Roy Ramthun, president of HSA Consulting Services

In general, if you have an FSA account, it’s important to keep track of your expenses, as there are certain guidelines around when funds must be used by. Most employers set a December 31st deadline for spending all FSA funds unless your employer offers an extended grace period or allows you to carry over up to $500 year-to-year.

While massage therapy may sound great after a long day at work, unfortunately, it does not qualify under FSA rules unless it has been prescribed by a doctor as part of a treatment plan for a specific medical condition like chronic back pain or anxiety-related conditions. In these cases, however, the massage would need to be performed by a licensed healthcare provider qualified to provide therapeutic massages. Any spa treatments or services provided by non-healthcare practitioners like estheticians or makeup artists are not considered eligible expenses.

“It’s important to note that just because an expense isn’t reimbursable by your FSA or HSA doesn’t mean it’s not a necessary health care expense. Sometimes people get discouraged if their purchases aren’t covered but that shouldn’t dissuade them from pursuing needed goods or services.” – Jon Kessler, CEO of HealthEquity

In any case, make sure you understand what’s included in your FSA benefits package so you can take full advantage of this benefit as part of your overall healthcare strategy.

How to Check If Your Massage Therapy Is Covered Under FSA?

If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be wondering whether you can use it to cover massage therapy sessions. After all, massage therapy has been proven effective in relieving pain and stress-related symptoms and improving overall well-being. The good news is that FSA does cover certain medical expenses, including some types of massage therapy. However, the eligibility criteria for FSA reimbursement depend on your plan, so it’s important to do your research before booking your next appointment.

Review Your FSA Plan Documents

The first step in determining whether your massage therapy is covered under FSA is to review your FSA plan documents. These documents outline the terms and conditions of your coverage, including which services are eligible for reimbursement. Look for any information related to “medical care” or “healthcare expenses,” and see if it includes references to massage therapy or other alternative therapies. Additionally, pay attention to the maximum amount you can claim per year, as there may be limits to the number of sessions or dollar amount reimbursed.

Contact Your FSA Administrator

If you’re still unsure about what your plan covers, contact your FSA administrator. They can help explain your options and guide you through the process of submitting claims for qualifying health expenses. You can usually find their contact information on your FSA statement or on the website of the company that manages your account. Be sure to have your plan details and any specific questions ready before contacting them.

Check IRS Guidelines for Eligible Expenses

The IRS provides guidance on what qualifies as an eligible expense for FSA reimbursement. According to IRS Publication 502, expenses must be primarily for the prevention or alleviation of a physical or mental defect or illness. While alternative therapies may not be explicitly listed, they often fall under the category of “medical care” if they are used to treat a specific condition diagnosed by a healthcare professional. However, services that promote general health or well-being (such as spa treatments) are generally not eligible for reimbursement.

Ask Your Massage Therapist for a Superbill

If you decide to go ahead with massage therapy and believe it qualifies for FSA reimbursement, ask your massage therapist for a superbill. This is an itemized statement that includes the date of service, the type of service provided, and the amount charged. It’s similar to a receipt but provides more detailed information about your treatment. You can submit this bill along with any other required documentation to your FSA administrator for reimbursement.

“In order to use FSA funds on massages received throughout the year, a medical diagnosis must have been made and the doctor ordering therapeutic massages as part of out-of-pocket individual treatment.” – Forbes

FSA does cover some types of massage therapy, but eligibility criteria vary by plan. Review your FSA documents, contact your administrator, check IRS guidelines, and ask your massage therapist for a superbill to ensure that you’re following all necessary steps to get reimbursed. Remember that massage therapy must be prescribed by a healthcare professional to receive coverage under most FSAs – so if you haven’t already done so, talk to your doctor or chiropractor about whether massage therapy could help relieve your symptoms.

What Is the Process of Claiming FSA for Massage?

Get a Prescription or Letter of Medical Necessity

If you’re wondering if you can use FSA for massage therapy, the answer is yes. However, to be eligible for reimbursement from your Flexible Savings Account (FSA), you’ll need a prescription or letter of medical necessity from your doctor.

The IRS states that massages must serve primarily as treatment for a specific medical condition to qualify for FSA coverage. This means that a general tissue massage performed for relaxation purposes only cannot count towards FSA eligibility and will not receive reimbursement from your account.

When consulting with your physician, make sure to ask about their experience with providing medical necessity letters for massage. Not all doctors are familiar with this process, so it’s important to find one who understands the importance of alternative therapies and can provide documentation supporting its effectiveness in treating your specific condition.

Pay for Massage Therapy Out-of-Pocket

Once you have obtained a prescription or letter of medical necessity for massage treatments, you’ll need to pay for your sessions out-of-pocket initially. You may also want to check with your healthcare provider beforehand to ensure that they accept FSA payments, as some providers may not offer this payment option. Be prepared to keep track of all receipts and invoices associated with your massage therapy treatments.

It’s essential to note that insurance plans typically do not cover massage as a medically necessary service, so paying out-of-pocket might be your only option for receiving relief from your symptoms and taking advantage of your FSA funds.

Submit a Claim for Reimbursement

The final step in claiming FSA for massage therapy involves submitting a claim for reimbursement. Once you’ve paid for your massage sessions out-of-pocket, you’ll need to complete an FSA claim form and attach all receipts related to the treatment provided. The claim must then be submitted to your account provider for processing.

Make sure that all documentation is accurate and up-to-date because any errors or discrepancies may delay your reimbursement from the FSA administrator. It’s best to submit claims on a regular basis rather than waiting until the end of the year. Doing so ensures timely payment processing by your account provider and keeps your records organized for tax purposes.

“Massage therapy can provide significant relief for patients dealing with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis. If prescribed and documented correctly, it can qualify under IRS guidelines for medical expenses reimbursed through an FSA.” -Scott Glover, Licensed Massage Therapist

If you’re wondering if you can use FSA for massage therapy, the answer is yes. However, certain criteria must be met to qualify for reimbursement from your Flexible Savings Account (FSA). Remember to obtain a prescription or letter of medical necessity from your physician beforehand and pay for sessions out-of-pocket initially. Finally, be prepared to submit all relevant documentation when submitting your claim for reimbursement. By doing so, you can benefit from the healing powers of massage while taking advantage of the financial benefits of your FSA plan.

Other Alternatives to Cover Massage Therapy Costs

Health Savings Account (HSA)

If you have an HSA, you can use the funds in it for massage therapy. HSAs are a type of savings account that is used to pay for qualified medical expenses, including those not covered by your insurance. You can contribute pre-tax dollars into this account each year, and these funds grow tax-free as long as they are used for eligible healthcare expenses.

To use your HSA funds for massage therapy, you must have a prescription from your doctor stating that the therapy is medically necessary. This prescription needs to be submitted along with the receipts for the massage sessions. Keep in mind that there may be limits on how much you can spend using your HSA for massage therapy, so check with your provider about any restrictions or limitations before scheduling appointments.

“HSAs provide tax benefits and the ability to save money for future health care costs.” -Forbes

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Dependent Care Account

FSAs are another option for paying for massage therapy. These accounts allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualifying medical expenses, such as copays and deductibles. However, unlike HSAs, FSAs require funds to be used within a specific timeframe, usually by the end of the calendar year.

You can use FSA funds to pay for massage therapy if it is prescribed by your doctor, just like with an HSA. Make sure to keep receipts and submit them for reimbursement through your FSA provider. It’s important to note that dependent care accounts, which are often included in FSAs, can also cover massage therapy for children with special needs.

“FSAs are a great way to save money on out-of-pocket medical costs.” -U.S. News and World Report

Both HSA and FSA accounts can be useful for covering the costs of massage therapy when it’s prescribed by a doctor. However, it’s important to understand the limitations and restrictions associated with these accounts, including how much money you can contribute and what types of expenses are eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions