Is Art Therapy reimbursable?

[Guest EHSchaab]

If a participant utilizes the services of an art therapist, who is not licensed in psychotherapy, but has art therapy credentials could the expenses incurred be reimbursed through a health FSA?

[SoCalActuary]

How about a pet therapist? I love to pet my dog.

How about an aggression therapist? I feel much better after driving my car 100 mph or driving a golf club as far as I can.

Just kidding.

Does the art therapist have any medical credentials? Is there any university research or other supporting documentation of art therapy? If not, you should deny the claim.

[Guest JerseyGirl]

How about private sessions with a Pilates instructor? I had to deny that one once.

Seriously, on the issue of an *Art Therapist*, it is not for us to judge, but for the medical profession to decide. If the participant has documentation from a licensed medical professional recommending this as therapy for a specific medical or psychological condition, then I would reluctantly have to deem it to be *medically necessary* and approve it. No ‘self-referrals’ allowed. Think of it as a variation on the vitamin theme—if I choose to take vitamins on my own because I think they make me feel better, it’s not an eligible expense, but if my doctor tells me to take them to help build up my immune system (or some such thing), and is willing to write me a note to that effect to submit along with the claim, then it becomes eligible.

Hey, SoCalActuary—is there an expense incurred from petting your dog? My dogs let me pet them for free!

[SoCalActuary]

Thanks for seeing the humor.

What if I want a new dog? Breeder fees?

I have to feed and care for them, don't I?

[Guest JerseyGirl]

My good man, are you blind??? Because if it’s a new Seeing Eye dog you’re planning to purchase, you might have a valid point! And I have read recently about people getting to take their dogs with them on airplanes (with a doctor’s note, of course) due to some fear-of-flying anxiety disorder!

Is a vacation for me and the doggies considered therapy, and therefore medically necessary?

[SoCalActuary]

The old cliche is that this conversation went to the dogs. OK, my fault, I started this line of reasoning.

Your response was delightful, and I won't try to top it. We all had a good laugh.