Massage Therpy

[Guest Joe Vasko]

Does massage therpy need to be medically necessary in order to claim as an eligible expense under an FSA Plan? Thanks, Joe

[oriecat]

Yes, I believe so. It would have to be prescribed by a physician to treat a specific illness or injury.

[SLuskin]

My interpretation is more liberal, perhaps because my son is a massage therapist. Sometimes a person will go straight to a massage therapist, bypassing a physician, but for a real medical condition. He treats people for migraines, back and shoulder pain, and hand pain associates with clicking the mouse too often. Massage therapists are often located in chiropractor's offices, and the patients make the appointments directly with the LMT.

Unfortunately, the IRS only accepts massage therapy for something physical, and not for the alleviation of stress.

[Lisa Hand]

Regardelss of where it is provided, at a chiro's office, physical therapy facility or directly to the massage therapist (LMT), a licensed practioner should veryify that it is medically necessary for it to be reimbursed through a 125 Plan. Note practioner, not MD, so, of coure, the practioner (LMT) providing the treatment can verify it is medically necessary.