Can You Use an HSA Account for Massage

I recently have started to get asked whether customers can use their HSA to pay for their massage. It made me realize I wasn't quite sure because I work from home and I'm not a medical facility. So I researched it a little more and found out that, YES! you can use your HSA money to pay for massage.

As long as my massage facility is registered under the medical massage category through square HSA cards should be accepted. There are a few things that, you, the customer must to on your end as well. The first step is to see your doctor for whatever issue/condition you need the massage for and get a written prescriptions(or script for short). There is a wide range of conditions that should qualify you for this. There is a ruling with the IRS that states that medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental ailment. From carpal tunnel, strains and sprains, neck/back pain, headaches, arthritis, fibromyalgia, anxiety/depression, and even stress as long as it's causing a specific condition. The script must include the following: Medical necessity: why you need massage therapy (example: to relieve back pain), Frequency: number of sessions per month (example: minimum of two sessions per month), and Duration: length of treatment (example: 12 months). Once you have this you must keep it in your files in case you are audited. Once you have this you can schedule your massage. The massage therapist doesn't need your script, you can just bring your FSA/HSA card to your appointment for payment. (Note: tips are not included so these must be paid for separately)

Although massages that are not billed to your insurance company will not count towards your yearly deductible, you will save taxes as HSA/FSA money is pre-tax money. So if you have a condition that you feel can be helped by massage go ahead and talk to your medical professional and start reaping the benefits of massage.