Using Your FSA or HSA to Pay for Massage Therapy
You may be wondering about massage coverage under your insurance plan—specifically, paying for your massage with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). It’s extremely common, as massage therapy has countless health benefits. Massages can improve circulation, decrease pain and inflammation, reduce stress, and provide numerous benefits to your heart.
Let’s dive into healthcare to explain how you can pay for massage therapy through your health insurance plan.
HSA and FSA: What Are They?
Before we discuss the process of getting a massage with your insurance plan, let’s do a quick overview of HSAs and FSAs. These special healthcare arrangements allow you to set aside money for medical costs, such as deductibles, monthly prescriptions, copayments, and coinsurance. You don’t pay taxes on this money.
These healthcare plans usually come with a debit card that includes your (and your employer’s) contributions. You won’t have to worry about being reimbursed in most cases, as your funds will already be on the flex debit card. You can spend this on any of the above medical costs.
Start with HR
Preparation is key to this discussion. Don’t be afraid to bring case studies of people who’ve alleviated similar symptoms through the power of massage therapy. You could also suggest specific massage therapy options, which can help you illustrate the legitimacy of this type of care.
Your prescription will need to include the following:
- It would be best to have massage therapy for such as a medical condition or injury.
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The number of sessions you’ll require each month. Do you need a massage every month? Or once every 1-2 weeks? For regular massages, you should consider getting a massage package to lower the cost of each session.
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The duration of the treatment. How long are you going to need this treatment? Should they be 60-minute, 75-minute, or 90-minute massages? Your doctor will be able to guide you in the right direction on this one. You can also change the length, time of day, and cadence as needed.
Getting a prescription is easier than it sounds, so there’s no need to stress. Healthcare providers often write prescriptions for massage or acupuncture without requiring an in-person doctor visit. Your medication can practically be as your massage.
Use Your FSA or HSA for Massage
Once you have your prescription, you’ll need to book an appointment with a massage therapy provider; luckily, this can be done on the fly with the Thai Serenity Spa mobile app or planned up to 30 days in advance. You’ll need to have your HSA or FSA debit card attached to your account to pay for your massage. Put these dollars to work for you!
Since the funds on your FSA plan expire at the end of the year, make sure you get the most out of your benefits before the time runs out. If you’re interested in getting an FSA massage, schedule a time to meet with a primary physician before the year is up. This way, you’ll be able to get the biggest bang for your insurance bucks.
How much will FSA save me?
So how much can you save on a massage by using an FSA? Using an FSA for massage therapy can save you 30-40% a year on out-of-pocket expenses. And if you want to save big, signing up for a massage package could increase your savings.
Things to keep in mind
When requesting a massage therapy prescription from a doctor, make sure you’re coming with the right intentions. Your health insurance aims to cover medical expenses, and massage therapy can be a great way to benefit your health. Be honest when speaking with your doctor regarding your symptoms and why you think massage would be a beneficial therapy.
And for the sake of your financial health, make sure you only use your HSA or FSA for massage therapy expenses if you have a prescription from your doctor. It’s also vital that you keep track of your records for tax time. Thai Serenity Spa makes this easy by itemizing every receipt – you’ll have a copy sent to your inbox after every massage. We’ve got your back!
Getting the most from your insurance
When it comes down to it, your insurance is there to keep you healthy. A massage can be a good remedy for many injuries and conditions. Take these steps to pay for medical massage with your FSA or HSA plan.
THAI SERENITY SPA
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Nawinee Suwansawang Spa Director
- March 06, 2023
- (682) 628-9514
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