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HSA and FSA: Is My Massage Eligible?
If you utilize an HSA (health savings account) or FSA (flexible spending account) for your healthcare expenses, chances are you can use the funds for massage therapy sessions.
To be considered a qualified medical expense, the IRS regulations state that medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental ailment. Examples of illnesses that could qualify include carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, back pain, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression and pain management.
The first thing you must do is schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you have been suffering from any of the above conditions, including stress, let him or her know that you are participating in a HSA or FSA and that you’d like to use some of your funds toward massage for treatment or prevention of your condition.
In order for you prescription to qualify for IRS regulations, your physician will need to provide the following:
- Why do you need massage therapy? (Example: to relieve back pain, reduce stress/anxiety, prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.)
- How frequent do you need treatment? (Example: 2 sessions per month)
- How long should you receive treatment? (Example: 6 months, a year)
- After you’ve obtained your prescription, keep it with your tax documents should you ever be asked to verify the expense. For my clients, it is not necessary that I receive a copy of your prescription, but it is helpful so that I may provide you with a more detailed receipt for your records.
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Keep in mind, with the implementation of the new Affordable Care Act, you can also pay for massages for a spouse and even a dependents under the age of 27, if he or she has a qualifying medical condition. To see if you are able to deduct massage therapy from your HSA, contact your physician for more information and a prescription for treatment.