Will Health Insurance Cover A Massage Chair?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Are massage chairs covered by insurance? If you already used your deductible and are looking to have your insurance company cover a massage chair’s cost, this the answer is

typically no

. Massage chairs typically do not have an insurance medical code or DME which means they cannot be covered by insurance.

Can a massage chair be prescribed?

Get a Prescription for Your Massage Chair


You will need a medical prescription in order to get your insurance company to cover the cost of your massage chair or related expenses

. Be careful of a generalized ”massage chair” therapy recommendation.

Are massage chairs HSA approved?

A massage chair is not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).

Is a massage chair a medical device?

FDA (Food and Drug Administration) classifies medical devices into three risk classifications: Class I, Class II and Class III. Class I are devices with the lowest risk such as nonelectric wheelchairs and even manual toothbrush.

Massage chairs are classified as Class I medical product

according to FDA (Link).

Are massage chairs tax deductible?

Equipment. Items such as massage chairs

can be tax deductible if the wellness coordinator or a physician recommends them

. If you can get documentation from a qualified wellness provider that says specific equipment is part of the program, you can write off this expense.

How long should a massage chair last?

The ideal duration to use the chair is in short intervals. These intervals can be

as short as 2 minutes and as long as 15 minutes

. 15 minutes are more than enough to provide benefit, comfort, and relaxation to your aching muscles and reinvigorate you.

Do doctors recommend massage chairs?

The researchers behind a 2020 study compared home massage chairs with physical therapy for treating lower back pain. They found that while

massage chairs are a cost-effective treatment option, physical therapy is more beneficial for managing pain and improving disability

.

Does insurance cover massage gun?


Yes, a massage gun can be FSA eligible

. Not all are considered suitable to be used as medical devices to treat medical conditions, but some are. You will need to check with your plan provider to find out if they will cover the purchase of a massage gun to treat your particular condition.

How do I know if something is FSA eligible?

The IRS determines FSA eligibility

by defining “qualified medical expenses” as covered expenses for medical and dental care

. Check out IRS Publication 502 for a full list.

What expenses are FSA eligible?

Eligible expenses include

health plan co-payments, dental work and orthodontia, eyeglasses and contact lenses, and prescriptions

. This type of FSA is offered by most employers. It covers medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy expenses. If you have a Standard FSA, you are ineligible for contributing to an HSA.

Are massage guns FDA approved?

The Z-Smart Massage Gun is the only massage gun eligible for purchase with your HSA or FSA. Take advantage of the highest quality products on the market.

Our products are all FDA approved Therapeutic Class I & II medical devices

.

Do Class 1 medical devices need a 510k?


Most Class I and Class II devices are exempt from premarket notification [510(k)] requirements

. They may also be exempt from the current Device Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), requirements under the Quality System (QS) Regulation.

Is a massage chair covered under FSA?

A massage chair is

not eligible for reimbursement

with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) or a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA).

Can you deduct health and wellness expenses?


There is no specific tax exemption for wellness program incentives

. The two main federal tax exemptions that apply to wellness incentives are the exclusions for medical care and employee fringe benefits. Cash and cash equivalents (for example, gift cards) are a common type of wellness incentive that are always taxable.

Can you write off health and wellness?

A wellness program is a workplace program intended to improve and promote health and fitness, in which an employer typically offers premium discounts, cash rewards, gym memberships, or other incentives to participate.

Wellness programs can be tax-free to an employee

.

Can I use massage chair everyday?

According to medical specialists, one can use a massage chair according to its physiological condition but if you are using it to lose your stress then you should use it for 15 -20 minutes twice a day and not more.

What are the disadvantages of a massage chair?

  • It usually has a maximum user weight. Most of these chairs come with a maximum user weight: …
  • It can be rather costly. Keep in mind that the average cost of a massage chair is around $2,500: …
  • It can’t replace a professional massage.

Why does my back hurt after a massage chair?

It’s normal to feel sore after a massage. The technique carries blood and nutrients to your muscles while eliminating toxins.

After stimulating muscles that you may not usually use, you might experience delayed onset muscle soreness

. This is a physical response to the inflammation as your body heals.

How much does a good massage chair cost?

A top-quality massage chair with the best options and features available will run you

$6,000 to $10,000

. So, in a little over a year, even the top-of-the-line chair will have paid for itself.

How much does a massage chair cost?

Massage chair prices can range anywhere from

$500 to $30,000

— the cost will depend on the brand, model and features. While the more expensive models offer the latest, most advanced massage capabilities in high-quality styles, the more affordable massage chairs are not to be overlooked.

What is 4D massage chair?

4D massage chairs

do everything that 3D massage chairs do in terms of motion

. The rollers will also go up and down, side to side and back and forth. 4D takes this a step further, by adding a 4th dimension to its massage movement technology which is that it also adjusts speed.

Are deep tissue massages worth it?

Unlike other massage techniques that focus on relaxation, deep tissue massage

helps to treat muscle pain and improve stiffness

. But it can still help to you unwind mentally, too. A 2014 study involving 59 participants found that deep tissue massage helped to reduce pain in people with chronic low back.

Where should you not use a massage gun?

Always do your best to vibrate the massager over muscles only. Avoid joints and bones, especially if you have any type of arthritis. It’s never a good idea to use a massage gun

directly over any part of the spine

, Fredericson adds, including the neck.

Can massage gun cause blood clots?

Because massage guns are similar to deep tissue massages, they can be harmful during pregnancy. Blood volume and blood flow increases during pregnancy, so

a massage gun could potentially cause blood clots, particularly in the lower legs.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.