Many people who get massage to feel better wonder whether they can use their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) dollars for massage therapy. The answer is a qualified yes.
First: The Massage Must Be Medically Necessary
For massage to qualify as a medical expense, you must have a diagnosed medical condition for which massage therapy is recommended, and your plan must allow reimbursement for that type of treatment. Conditions that are sometimes helped by massage include:
- chronic pain
- arthritis
- repetitive strain injuries
- fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome
- PTSD, anxiety, or insomnia
- recovery from injury
Your healthcare provider will determine whether massage therapy is a medically necessary part of your treatment plan. You should also verify coverage with your plan administrator, since requirements can vary.
Second: You Need a Letter of Medical Necessity
To use HSA or FSA funds for massage therapy, you will generally need a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a licensed healthcare provider.
A Letter of Medical Necessity is a document stating that massage therapy is part of the treatment plan for a specific medical condition.
A valid LMN typically includes:
- the medical condition or diagnosis
- confirmation that massage therapy is recommended for treatment
- how often treatment is recommended
- the expected duration of treatment
- the provider’s name, signature, and contact information
If you have a chronic condition, an LMN is often issued for a specific period of time, such as six months or a year. After that period, your healthcare provider may reassess and renew the recommendation if appropriate.
Your LMN serves as documentation showing that your massage was a qualified medical expense if your plan administrator requests verification. As with any medical purchase, it’s also important to keep copies of your receipts.
Scheduling and Paying for Your Massage
When it comes time to schedule your session, there are a few practical things to know.
Not all massage establishments accept HSA or FSA payment cards. If your provider does not accept these cards, you can typically pay using another method and then submit your itemized receipt to your plan administrator for reimbursement.
At The Body Workshop, we do accept HSA and FSA cards, which can make the process easier.
A Minnesota Tax Benefit to Know About
In Minnesota, massage therapy is generally considered a taxable service. However, when massage is recommended by a licensed healthcare provider as treatment for a medical condition, it may qualify as medically necessary treatment and be exempt from sales tax.
Policies vary by practice because claiming this exemption requires the therapist to maintain documentation. In many cases, this means keeping a copy of your Letter of Medical Necessity on file to support the tax exemption.
Interested in Using Your HSA or FSA for Massage?
If you have a Letter of Medical Necessity and would like to use your HSA or FSA funds for massage therapy, The Body Workshop makes it easy.
Simply choose “Medical Massage – HSA/FSA” from our service menu when scheduling your appointment.
The information presented here is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or tax advice. Please consult with the appropriate professional for your unique situation.
