Is a massage gun HSA or FSA eligible?

Can I buy a massage gun using an FSA / HSA (Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account)?

Or

Is a massage Gun HSA or FSA eligible?

People ask these questions a lot and the answer to this question is – it depends.

For some of you, the answer is YES, while for others it is NO!

Why just some? Well, you see there are a few things that you have to keep in mind to get reimbursement for a massage gun –

1. You have a serious issue other than some medical problem, and perhaps a history of claims to treat your condition that the doctor advised you to buy it.
2. FSA and HSA approval all depends on your insurance company. So, you have to follow the appropriate steps before purchasing.
3. Most (but Not all) massage guns support HSA or FSA payments.

To explain how and why let’s take a closer look at the HSA and FSA.

HSA or FSA: What Are They?

Before we go forward with the main topic, let’s first go through what HSA or FSA -eligibility is and how it relates to massage guns?

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are similar to personal savings accounts. You can use account funds for only qualifying medical expenses.

Any Employees who have FSA or HSA contribute pre-tax dollars to their accounts, lowering their taxable income.

Employers may choose to add funds to HSA and FSA of employees and it usually counts towards health benefits offered by the company/organization you are working at.

We won’t get into the nitty-gritty of the two because it is outside the scope of this article. So, here is a quick rundown of a few key differences between HSA and FSA.

Health spending account comparison	HSA	FSA
Account owner	You	Your Employer
Must have a high-deductible health plan	Yes	No
You can invest the money in the account	Yes	No
Lost with a Job change	No	Yes
Must report account when you do your taxes	Yes	No
The entire fund is available at the start of the year	No	Yes
Annual Funds Rollover	Yes	No

Can You use Your HSA to Buy A Massage Gun?

Health Savings Accounts are separate medical insurance plans, while Flexible Spending Accounts are often included in traditional healthcare plans.

Many companies and employers have HSAs that will let you contribute pre-tax earnings. So long as it is spent for medical needs, the money can be spent however you wish.

You (the owner) and your employer can both contribute to your health savings account. The IRS enforces contribution limits when it finds out these plans are tax-free.

In 2015, the single limit was $3,350, the married limit was $6,650, and senior citizens received an additional $1,000.

Every year, your HSA funds roll forward and belong to you, so you can set aside enough to cover the cost of a massage gun. This results in savings for both the policyholder (due to the tax deduction) and the insurance company.

Is it possible to use the funds in your HSA to purchase a massage gun?

You can ask your insurance provider whether a massage gun is covered by your HSA.

Based on recent experiences, the odds seem to be pretty good. A lot of massage guns are available on the internet which are covered by HSA.

Can You use Your FSA to Buy A Massage Gun?

FSA accounts provide more flexibility than regular bank accounts when it comes to purchasing massage guns.

The Internal Revenue Code section 125 provides employees access to cafeteria plans that create Flex accounts within their insurance policies. Cafeteria items were originally referred to by this term, but flex spending has now caught onto it as well.

A flexible spending account can be used to pay for a variety of medical expenses and often for dependent care expenses. The FSA rolls over a portion of its balance every year, just like the HSA.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows you to carry over up to $500 without losing the funds.

Massage guns can only be purchased with FSA funds after receiving approval from the cafeteria plan provider. Similarly, the HSA does not have clear guidelines for massage guns.

On the other hand, if you look at the approved expense list, you’ll find that:

• Acupuncture
• Artificial Teeth
• Bandages
• Birth Control Pills
• Capital Expenses
• Car
• Chiropractor
• Psychoanalysis
• Psychologist
• Therapy

Are there any specific expenses that are not covered by FSA funds?

There is no mention of massage gear, massage therapy, or massages on that list for starters.

You are likely to be approved for massage treatments if you require them for a medical reason.

You may be required to complete a paper form if you are approved, or simply be able to purchase your massage gun using your FSA debit card.

Which Massage Guns are HSA Eligible?

There are some massage guns on the internet that support HSA or FSA. Also on Amazon, you can find massage guns with eligibility.

Zarifa Z Smart is a portable and lightweight massage gun that offers many features and is HSA-eligible.

A few complaints have been made claiming that the HSA/FSA code does not verify the authenticity of the product. You can still confirm it easily.

Be sure to consult with your doctor before purchasing one to receive their professional advice.

How to use your FSA or HSA card to make Amazon purchases

Just add your card to your Amazon Wallet along with your other payment method(s). Please check Amazon’s frequently asked questions regarding HSAs and FSAs.

All healthcare products on Amazon are not  FSA or HSA eligible. You can find a list of FSA and HSA eligible products on Amazon. On the product page, eligible products also display the label “FSA or HSA Eligible.”. 

How to buy Massage guns using FSA or HSA Eligibility?

1. Start with HR

Make sure that massage therapy is covered by your medical insurance before you do anything else. Even with a doctor’s prescription, some insurance policies won’t cover massages.

In our research, we spoke to people who have FSAs or HSAs and found that they had no problem covering massages and massage tools if they have a prescription.

2. Doctor visit

Make an appointment with your doctor after you’ve received approval from your insurance carrier.

Tip: Don’t just start by saying you’d like a massage. It’s important to explain your specific symptoms first.

There are some mental and physical conditions that can be treated through precision massage. It can be used for stress reduction, helping with circulation issues, hypertension, sciatica, arthritis, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, and chronic back pain.

To have a successful discussion, preparation is critical. If you have heard that massage therapy helped people with similar symptoms, don’t be afraid to share case studies. 

3. Get a prescription

Once you and your doctor have discussed it, they’ll write you a prescription for a massage gun. This serves as proof to your insurance company that you actually need an HSA or FSA massage gun.

4. Use Your FSA or HSA for Massage Gun

Once you have a prescription, you can buy the massage gun you want.

In order to pay for your massage from amazon or another store, you will need to have your HSA or FSA debit card linked to your payment account. Put these dollars to work for you!

The funds in your FSA plan expire at the end of the year, so make sure you take advantage of them before they expire.

Bottom Line

A massage gun is a great self-massage tool that you can add to your everyday routine and has many benefits.

Depending on the brand and model you are opting for, they can be a bit expensive.

Luckily, if you have an HSA or Health Savings Account or an FSA or Flexible Savings Account and, you have a medical condition that can improve with the help of a massage gun, depending on your insurance company, you may be eligible for a health reimbursement.

Just make sure you have a prescription and don’t forget to contact your insurance provider to make sure you follow the appropriate steps required.

Remember although a lot of brands support HSA or FSA, not all massage gun brands are HSA or FSA eligible, so it is always wise to check before you have purchased the device.