Massage therapy offers so many benefits both physical and emotional wellness, from reducing chronic pain to accelerating injury recovery to alleviating sleep, stress, and mood disorders—it’s no wonder massage is such a popular complementary healthcare option. But is it possible to use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for massage therapy? The answer is (mostly) YES! But you need to understand the requirements for eligibility in order to get the most from this benefit.
In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about using your HSA or FSA for massage…
Eligibility for Massage Coverage Under Your HSA or FSA Account
To ensure your massage is eligible for coverage and reimbursement under your HSA or FSA account, you need to validate the medical necessity of the service. This is because, under IRS rules, HSA and FSA accounts can only be used to pay for the treatment or prevention of a specific disease or condition. If these criteria are not met, the IRS may deem the expense ineligible—resulting in a possible penalty for you.
If a doctor recommends massage therapy as a medically necessary service that would benefit your condition, then it could be eligible for HSA or FSA coverage. Depending on your insurance plan, you may be required to obtain a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) to validate the clinical need for the service.
What Is a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)?
A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is a document furnished by a physician verifying the medical need for a service or product—typically something not directly covered by health insurance but has a distinct clinical benefit. An LMN should demonstrate that the expense is needed for the treatment or prevention of a specific medical condition (rather than for general health purposes), or it may not be considered HSA- or FSA-eligible by the IRS.
While different plans’ requirements vary, certain fundamentals must be included in any LMN, such as:
- The clinician’s information – e.g. name, contact details, license number
- Your diagnosis – i.e. why you need massage
- Recommended scope of treatment, including session count, frequency, and treatment duration
Zeel Makes it Easy to Get an LMN for Massage!
Zeel has partnered with Dr. B to simplify HSA/FSA reimbursement, so you can enjoy the benefits you’ve earned. Dr. B streamlines the LMN process with a fast and affordable virtual consultation—saving you time and money at the doctor’s office.
How does getting an LMN with Dr. B work?
Finding out if you’re eligible for an LMN for massage only takes a few minutes in a virtual consultation with Dr. B. Consults can be completed via chat 24/7 for a $15 fee – no video, phone calls, or advance scheduling required! If you qualify, you’ll receive a clinically verified LMN as quickly as a few hours, valid for 12 months.
With your LMN and itemized receipt from Zeel (available upon massage completion), you can use your HSA/FSA funds for massage with confidence and peace of mind.
How to Use Your HSA or FSA for Massage Therapy
Zeel accepts HSA & FSA cards as payment, so if you have one, you can simply add it to your account and use it to pay for your massage as you would with any other credit card.
That said, you should still check with your HSA or FSA plan directly for any pre-approval requirements before using it as payment. Some plans may require prior authorization, and others may require that the massage be performed by a specific type of medical professional, such as a physical therapist. Understanding the specifics of your plan will help ensure the smooth payment and reimbursement process.
If you need an itemized receipt for HSA or FSA reimbursement, you can find a link to download it from your emailed receipt, which is sent upon completion of the massage.
Get a Tax Benefit for Boosting Your Wellness!
Massage is so much more than a relaxing treat—it offers myriad benefits for a wide range of clinically diagnosable conditions. For personalized advice on how to use your HSA or FSA for massage therapy, always consult with your plan administrator or healthcare provider. By understanding how to leverage the benefits of your HSA or FSA account for massage therapy, you can experience both the physiological rewards of this valuable therapy and the financial rewards of paying for it with your pre-tax money.