Does FSA cover massages?

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) cover massages for certain medical treatments. These treatments must be approved and prescribed by a physician.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has ruled that massage therapy for the sole purpose of tension and stress relief does not qualify as an eligible expense. Examples of medical conditions that qualify include carpal tunnel, back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression and pain management.

The first step to using your FSA to cover massage therapy expenses is to pay a visit to your primary care doctor or local physician. Let the doctor know you have an FSA and are seeking massage therapy as the solution to a medically eligible condition. The physician will then write a prescription for your massage if she deems it to be medically necessary. The physician must provide three pieces of information on your prescription: why the massage is medically necessary; the number of sessions per month or frequency of your visits; and, the length of treatment.

FSAs allow you to set aside pretax money to pay for qualifying medical and dental expenses, including co-pays and deductibles. For 2018, employees can contribute $2,650 to their health FSAs, up from the 2017 limit of $2,600. These plans are only available with employer-based health care plans, and employers can also make contributions. One shortcoming to FSAs is the "use it or lose it" policy. Some plans provide certain rollover or grace period options, but most plans erase any money left in the account at the end of the year. (For related reading, see: 20 Ways to Use Up Your Flexible Spending Account.)