Health Savings Account funds CAN be used to pay for a massage, but there is a small catch. Per the IRS, a massage can only be paid for using your HSA if the treatment was recommended by a physician to treat a specific injury or to prevent physical or mental ailments. Examples of illnesses that qualify include carpal tunnel syndrome, stress, back pain, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression and pain management. At your next visit, ask your physician to provide the following three pieces of information on the prescription: Medical necessity: why you need massage therapy (example: to relieve back pain, reduce high blood pressure, improve sleep, reduce anxiety) Frequency: number of sessions per month (example: minimum of two sessions per month) Duration: length of treatment (example: 12 months) Provide a copy of your prescription to your massage therapist and keep the original for your records, it's that simple. To ensure your records are whole, you must also document each visit with a receipt that includes the date of service, the services rendered or product purchased and the person for whom the services were rendered and the amount charged. You can now pay for a massage using your HSA pre-tax savings funds. Unfortunately, you are not able to include tips, pay for multiple visits upfront, or use the funds to improve your overall general health. Also, with a letter of medical necessity from a doctor, expenses like gym memberships or even a mattress can be recommended to treat a specific medical condition and would be considered a qualified medical expense. If you have specific questions about taxes, HSAs, FSAs, and what qualified medical expenses are covered, please refer to the IRS guidelines at www.IRS.gov, your tax advisor, or health insurance provider. Take control of your health and your budget with HSA and massage.
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