Does HSA cover prenatal massage?

Asked by: Dr. Anya Turcotte PhD  |  Last update: August 29, 2023
Score: 5/5 (30 votes)

Under IRS guidelines, prenatal massage can be a qualified medical expense using a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if your healthcare provider recommends it with a written prescription. To find out more, talk with your HSA or FSA administrator and your healthcare provider.

Can I use my HSA on a massage?

Massages with a doctor's note of necessity

In certain cases, the massage is deemed medically necessary, and can be classified as a qualified medical expense. In a case like this, accountholders can use their HSA to pay for the massage.

What maternity items are covered by HSA?

Other useful items covered by your HSA include:
  • Maternity support belts.
  • Compression socks.
  • Prenatal vitamins.
  • Feminine hygiene pads.
  • Birthing, breastfeeding, and Lamaze classes.
  • Office visits.
  • Ultrasounds.
  • Prenatal massages (if they're accompanied by a doctor's note or a medical necessity form)-+

Can you use your HSA account for pregnancy?

In addition to labor and delivery, you can use HSA funds to cover the following pregnancy-related expenses: Infertility treatments. Ultrasounds. Childbirth classes.

Does HSA or FSA cover massage therapy?

Massage therapy may be considered an HSA- or FSA-eligible expense if it's medically necessary. For example, your provider might write a LOMN for massage therapy if you have a chronic condition like fibromyalgia, which can worsen or start after menopause.

College of DuPage: Prenatal Massage

30 related questions found

Is a prenatal massage FSA eligible?

Under IRS guidelines, prenatal massage can be a qualified medical expense using a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if your healthcare provider recommends it with a written prescription. To find out more, talk with your HSA or FSA administrator and your healthcare provider.

Is massage a qualified medical expense?

As long as the massage was recommended or prescribed by a medical professional, massage therapy can be a qualified medical expense that is tax deductible. This is important to know since many people overlook the cost of massage therapy when considering their health costs and miss out on the benefits it can provide.

Should I get HSA or PPO pregnant?

1 Health savings accounts (HSAs) are associated with high deductible health plans (HDHP), which require you to pay expensive deductibles before your coverage begins. Since pregnancy and childbirth bring hefty costs, a lower-deductible PPO plan may be a more affordable option.

Can I use HSA for Obgyn?

OB-GYN care

Your HSA and FSA can help you pay for all doctor visits and consults before meeting your deductible. This includes labor and delivery at the hospital or birthing center.

How do prenatal massages work?

Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced a significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through massage. Other potential benefits of prenatal massage: Reduced back pain.

Can you get diapers with HSA?

If the medical issue has symptoms that require diapers to treat the condition, these items may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from a medical professional.

Can you buy a car seat with HSA?

Although required for the protection of young children, car seats do not qualify as medical care and are therefore not eligible.

Are deep tissue massages HSA-eligible?

No matter whether you have an HSA or FSA, massage therapy is usually considered a legitimate medical expense by most insurance companies. Still, to be sure, check with your carrier or ask an HR representative at work because some plans do not cover massage, even with a doctor's prescription.

Can you use HSA for tampons?

Tampons are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

How to get a letter of medical necessity for massage therapy?

Talk to your primary care provider.

In many HMOs and other health plans, this doctor is the one who must authorize the referral. Discuss medical necessity with the doctor. Figure out how that medical professional will diagnose a condition that can formally necessitate medical massage.

Can HSA be used for mommy makeover?

Cosmetic Procedures: FSA and HSA Eligibility

Generally, cosmetic procedures are ineligible unless the treatment or procedure is medically necessary. However, some cases are taken into consideration if the cosmetic treatment is meant to improve a personal injury, congenital abnormality or disfiguring disease.

Can I use HSA to buy sperm?

Short-term Sperm storage fees are eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA).

Do you have to pay deductible twice for pregnancy?

Conceiving in March or April would potentially give you a due date of late December through January. Going into the hospital with complications on Dec. 30 and not giving birth until Jan. 1 of the following year would likely result in you paying two deductibles for two different years of coverage.

Why not to choose HSA?

The Downside of HSAs

HSAs might not make sense if you have some type of chronic medical condition. In that case, you're probably better served by traditional health plans. HSAs might also not be a good idea if you know you will be needing expensive medical care in the near future.

Why is HSA insurance more expensive?

Because HSA-qualified health plans have higher deductibles, the burden of upfront medical costs is more immediately apparent to those who have this type of coverage. The plans usually have smaller monthly premiums, but the trade-off is more out-of-pocket expenses before insurance kicks in.

Can I write off massages on my taxes?

The IRS allows you to deduct unreimbursed expenses for preventative care and treatment as qualifying medical expenses. You can also deduct unreimbursed expenses for visits to massage therapy establishments that focus on rehabilitation or clinics.

Can I write off gym membership?

No, gym memberships are not deductible as a medical expense. While it is true that physical activity is beneficial for overall health, membership in a gym is not considered to be a medical expense, at least according to the IRS.

Is yoga a qualified medical expense?

Yoga is a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed (Everything Yoga). Yoga may be eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) saying yoga is being used to treat, prevent or mitigate a disease. What are the different types of Yoga?

Can you pay for gym membership with FSA?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) typically does not allow funds from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for membership dues at health clubs or gyms.

Can I use my health FSA for massage?

Massage Therapy is eligible for reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA).