The easy answer to this question is to check directly with your HR department or your medical insurance carrier to discuss what your Health Savings Account covers and see what their definition is and specific instructions on how to get a massage included if possible.
Here is a little more information about Health Savings Accounts “HSA”:
What are HSAs?
“An HSA (health savings account) is a tax-advantaged savings account that belongs to the account holder. If an account holder changes jobs, the account and money stay with them, just like a personal bank account. HSAs are always paired with a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP). HSAs can reduce your adjusted gross income and lower taxable income. In most states, HSA funds earn interest tax-free. Funds roll over year to year and can be used with Medicare after retirement for qualified medical expenses,” reports USA Today.
Consumers typically use an HAS to cover insurance deductibles and qualified health care expenses.
Cover Massage?
USA Today continues to state that “if stress is causing other diagnosed medical conditions, treatments may be paid for with an HSA with a letter of medical necessity from a doctor. Improvement of mental health or relief of stress is generally not covered. For example, the costs of a massage just to improve general health do not qualify. However, if the massage therapy is recommended by a physician to treat a specific injury or trauma, then it would qualify with a letter of medical necessity.
What you can spend HSAs on
Here are some of the items one can purchase with an HSA account. For a detailed list of what costs are considered “medical expenses,” start with this fact sheet from the IRS.
Cobra premiums. In the case you lose your job or transition to a new one, HSA funds can be used to pay for Cobra coverage.
Acupuncture. Members can include in medical expenses the amount paid for acupuncture.
Dental. What members pay for the prevention and alleviation of dental disease is a covered expense. Preventive treatment includes the services of a dental hygienist or dentist for such procedures as teeth cleaning, the application of sealants and fluoride treatments to prevent tooth decay. Treatments to alleviate dental disease include services of a dentist for procedures such as X-rays, fillings, braces, extractions, dentures and other dental ailments.
Vision. Eye exams are covered, as well as eyeglasses and contact lenses needed for medical reasons. In addition, eye surgery to treat defective vision, such as laser eye surgery or radial keratotomy, is a covered expense.
Alcohol and drug addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment at a therapeutic center for alcohol or drug addiction, including meals and lodging, are covered. Members can also include in medical expenses amounts paid for transportation to and from Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in the community if the attendance is necessary for treatment.
Weight loss. Amounts paid to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension or heart disease) are covered. Those include fees for membership in a weight-reduction group. However, members can’t include membership dues in a gym, health club or spa as medical expenses, but are able to include separate fees charged there for weight-loss activities. Members can’t include the cost of diet foods or beverages in medical expenses because the foods and drinks substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs. You can include the cost of special food in medical expenses only if:
- The food doesn’t satisfy normal nutritional needs,
- The food alleviates or treats an illness, and
- The need for the food is substantiated by a physician.
Fertility enhancement. Members can include in medical expenses the cost of the following procedures to overcome the inability to have children:
- Procedures such as in vitrofertilization (including temporary storage of eggs or sperm).
- Surgery, including an operation to reverse prior surgery that prevented the person operated on from having children.
Contact the professionals at I Got Your Back Massage Therapy and set up an appointment.
I Got Your Back Massage Therapy is conveniently located at 1684 Alternate 19 in Palm Harbor. Our massage therapists are skilled in a number of techniques to help you improve your physical and mental health, including relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, reiki, and aromatherapy. Contact the professionals at I Got Your Back Massage Therapy and set up an appointme
