Can You Use Your HSA or FSA to Pay for Chiropractic or Massage?
Wondering if you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for your chiropractic care? What about massages? Or cupping?
You can use your HSA or FSA to pay for these treatments (and more), but it’s not as simple as swiping your card. Here’s everything you need to know about using your HSA and FSA to pay for chiropractic services, holistic care, and alternative treatments while staying in alignment with the IRS.
What Is an HSA?
A health savings account (HSA) is a special savings account that allows you to save pre-tax money to pay for a qualified medical expense. While you can use the money in an HSA whenever you want, you can only contribute to an HSA if you’re in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). However, the account is yours to pay for qualified medical expenses, and the money is always there even after you leave your job.
What Is an FSA?
A flexible spending account (FSA) is also a special savings account funded with pre-tax dollars and used to pay for a qualified medical expense, such as medical massage or chiropractic services. Unlike an HSA, you can contribute to your flexible savings account without being in an HDHP, but FSAs are only available through your employer. Flexible spending accounts are “use it or lose it.” If you don’t spend all the money you saved by the end of the year or you leave your employer before spending everything, you forfeit the money left in the account. Some employers allow for a “grace period” of up to 10 weeks after the end of the year or they may allow for a rollover of up to $570 medical expenses for the following year. Ask your employer if they have given these added benefits.
Can I Use My HSA or FSA to Pay for Chiropractic Care?
The IRS determines what medical care you can pay for using your HSA or FSA funds. This is called a qualified expense and is limited to something that helps you diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent diseases. Fortunately, the IRS considers chiropractic and chiropractic care as qualified medical expenses, so you can use your HSA and FSA for chiropractic treatment.
Can I Use My HSA or FSA for a Massage or Medical Massage?
Medical massages are generally considered qualified medical care. This includes a wide range of massage therapies, like trigger point massage, deep tissue massage, and sports massage.
However, to ensure the IRS doesn’t penalize you for using your HSA or FSA funds on an unapproved expense, you will need to get a prescription showing why massage therapy is part of your treatment plan and an explanation of your benefit once your insurance processes your claim. The prescription must state what condition the massage is treating, how many massage sessions you’ll need, and for how long. You can get this from your WA medical provider or Chiropractor.
For all massages involving HSAs or FSAs, your card on file will be charged at your appointment and your insurance company will directly reimburse you what you are owed after they process your claim. We can help provide you with receipts of payment and prescriptions on file within 10 business days of a written request.
HSAs and FSAs do not cover additional time over 60 minutes or CBD add-ons. Those will be charged separately at the time of your service.
Can My Dependents Use My HSA or FSA for Chiropractic Care?
You can pay for your dependent’s chiropractic care with your HSA or FSA just as you would for any of their covered expenses. Keep in mind you may still need a prescription for some types of care, like a medical massage.
Do I Need a Referral or Prescription?
You don’t need a referral or doctor’s prescription to use your HSA or FSA to pay for chiropractic care. However, you will need a prescription from your doctor or chiropractor for Medical Massage to ensure the IRS doesn’t assess a penalty for using your HSA or FSA for unapproved medical expenses.
Does Flourish Chiropractic Spa Accept My HSA or FSA?
Flourish Chiropractic Medical Spa accepts your HSA and FSA payments. We can also write you a prescription for your medical massage or other holistic treatments as long as it’s medically necessary and part of the treatment plan you and your provider agree upon.