Can You Use HSA or FSA Funds to Buy a Massage Chair? A Complete Guide

Before we get into any specifics regarding whether HSA and FSA funds can be used for massage chair purchases, it’s important to have a complete understanding of how these accounts work.

What Are HSA and FSA Accounts?

An HSA, or health savings account, is a tax-advantaged medical savings account designed to help individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) cover certain healthcare costs. Account holders can contribute pre-tax dollars to their HSA, which lowers taxable income, and then use those funds for qualified medical expenses. One of the biggest perks of an HSA is that unused funds roll over from year to year, making it possible to save for future medical expenses.

While also a pre-tax medical savings account, an FSA (flexible spending account) is typically set up by the account holder’s employer rather than their insurance provider. Like an HSA, these accounts allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible healthcare expenses. However, FSAs come with a key limitation — funds must be used within the plan year. Some employers offer a short grace period or allow a small amount to roll over, but this allowance varies by plan.

Key Differences

While both HSAs and FSAs help you save on out-of-pocket medical expenses, there are notable differences between the two accounts:

• Eligibility: HSAs are only available if you’re enrolled in an HDHP, while FSAs are offered as a benefit through your employer, regardless of your insurance plan.

• Contribution limits: Both accounts have annual contribution limits set by the IRS, but HSAs typically have a higher maximum.

• Fund rollover: With an HSA, funds roll over year to year with no expiration. For FSAs, funds do not roll over and must be used within the plan year, though some allow limited rollovers or grace periods.

• Portability: An HSA account belongs to you, even if you change jobs or insurance plans. FSAs are tied to your employer, which means you may lose unused funds if you leave your job.

Common Uses for HSA and FSA Funds

Both HSAs and FSAs can be used to pay for a variety of qualified medical expenses, including (but not limited to):

• Health insurance deductibles and copays
• Prescription medications
• Dental and vision care (e.g. cleanings and eye exams)
• Mental health services
• Certain medical equipment and supplies

When it comes to items like massage chairs, however, the rules get a bit more specific.

The short answer to this question is yes. You can use your HSA funds to buy a massage chair, but there are particular conditions you’ll need to meet to make the purchase eligible since massage chairs aren’t automatically considered a qualified medical expense.

To use your HSA funds for a massage chair, it must be deemed medically necessary — meaning it’s prescribed to treat or manage a diagnosed health condition. Common conditions that might justify a massage chair purchase include:

• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Chronic headaches
• High blood pressure
• Musculoskeletal pain and tension
• Back pain

If you’re simply buying a massage chair for relaxation or overall wellness, it won’t qualify as an HSA-eligible expense.

The Importance of a Letter of Medical Necessity

To prove that your massage chair is medically necessary, you’ll need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from a licensed physician or healthcare provider. This document should outline:

• Your specific medical condition
• Why a massage chair is part of your treatment plan
• How it will help alleviate symptoms and improve your condition

Having an LMN is crucial — without it, your HSA administrator may deny the expense, and you could be subject to penalties for using your HSA funds improperly.

Will Your HSA Cover the Full Cost?

Massage chairs can cost several thousand dollars. While your HSA funds can go toward the purchase, it’s possible that your available HSA funds may not cover the entire cost. In this case, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket.

Just like with an HSA, you can use FSA funds to purchase a massage chair if it’s used to treat or manage a specific medical condition. Without a valid medical reason, using FSA funds for a massage chair could result in the expense being denied and responsibility to repay the purchase amount. To ensure your FSA can be used toward a massage chair, you’ll also need an LMN from your doctor.

Unlike HSAs, FSAs come with a “use-it-or-lose-it” policy, meaning you’ll need to spend your allocated funds before the end of the plan year (unless your employer offers a grace period or limited rollover). This makes timing important if you’re considering a big purchase like a massage chair.

If you’re ready to invest in a massage chair using your HSA or FSA funds, here’s what you need to do.

1. Confirm Eligibility With Your HSA or FSA Administrator

Before anything, reach out to your account administrator to:

• Verify eligibility: Confirm that a massage chair qualifies as a reimbursable expense under your specific plan.

• Check LMN requirements: Most plans will require an LMN, but it’s in your best interest to double-check the exact documentation needed to avoid any issues.

• Understand payment/reimbursement processes: Some plans may allow you to pay directly with an HSA/FSA card, while others require you to foot the bill and submit a reimbursement request.

2. Secure Proper Documentation

Next, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your condition and how a massage chair could support your treatment. If your doctor agrees, ask them to provide the documents needed to prove a massage chair is medically necessary. Most likely, this will be an LMN.

3. Shop for Your Massage Chair

Once you have your LMN, it’s time for the fun to begin — shopping for your massage chair. Browse the wide selection of models available on the Massage Chair Store website, where you’ll find options that are specifically designed to help with chronic pain, muscle recovery and more.

4. Checkout With Sika

When you’ve found the perfect match, choose Sika as your payment method to check out seamlessly with your HSA or FSA.

5. Get Reimbursed

Sika will email your receipt and next steps for substantiation. Once complete, you’ll be reimbursed.

Can I use my HSA or FSA to buy a massage chair?

Yes, it’s possible to use HSA and FSA funds to purchase a massage chair, but only if it’s prescribed to treat a medical condition, such as chronic pain or arthritis. To qualify, you’ll need a letter of medical necessity from a licensed healthcare provider.

How do I get an LMN for a massage chair?

Schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your symptoms or medical condition. If they believe a massage chair will benefit your health, they can provide an LMN, which should include:

• Your specific medical condition
• Why a massage chair is part of your treatment plan
• How it will help alleviate symptoms and improve your condition

How much of my HSA or FSA funds can I use toward a massage chair?

You can use as much of your HSA or FSA balance as you have available. Keep in mind that if the massage chair costs more than your available balance, you’ll need to pay the difference using another method.

What happens if I use HSA or FSA funds to buy a massage chair without an LMN?

Using HSA or FSA funds to purchase items that require an LMN without one can result in the purchase being flagged as ineligible, requiring you to repay the amount and potentially face tax penalties on the withdrawn funds.

How can I check if my HSA or FSA covers a massage chair?

The best way to confirm is to contact your plan administrator. They can verify whether a massage chair qualifies as an eligible expense and tell you if the purchase requires an LMN.

What is the process for purchasing a massage chair from Massage Chair Store using HSA or FSA funds?

To purchase a massage chair from us with HSA or FSA funds, you’ll need to confirm eligibility with your plan administrator, obtain an LMN from your doctor, shop for a massage chair on our website and choose Sika as your payment method during checkout to apply your funds. After your purchase, Sika will email you a receipt along with next steps for substantiation. Once completed, you’ll be reimbursed.

Ready to invest in your health and comfort? Browse Massage Chair Store’s selection of HSA- and FSA-eligible massage chairs to find the perfect fit for your needs. With Sika Health, you’ll enjoy a seamless checkout experience, making it easy to get reimbursed for your qualifying massage chair purchase.