Is a Medical Massage Chair Covered by Insurance?
It can be a little bit complicated to get your insurance company to pay for your new massage chair. However, it is possible to get a part of your massage chair’s full cost covered under specific health insurance coverage plans. How? Let’s find it out!
Understanding the Health Insurance Plans
It goes without saying, the health insurance industry has become increasingly stringent on what they will and will not cover, especially when it comes to durable medical equipment.
Medical equipment needs to be:
- Durable, reasonable, and essential for every other patient.
- It shouldn’t be inappropriate for domestic usage.
- It must serve a medical purpose.
- It needs to withstand repeated use.
- It should primarily take care of any physical injuries.
Although massage chairs are therapeutic, they are not always used for medical purposes unless prescribed by a medical professional. Besides, they are not vitally important to perform everyday life activities and are most frequently used for pain management and post-injury recovery.
Most insurance companies will require a doctor's prescription from a healthcare expert. The letter must specify how your health may be at risk if a massage chair is not in use.
There are two conditions that are required to get your massage chair covered by a reliable insurance company: hip replacement and joint dislocation. However, every insurance company has a different plan, and they’re often flexible. All you need to do is establish how your insurance company is going to cover your massage chair. Attention should be paid to the allowable clause in your contract with the company.
Choosing the Correct Insurance Policy
Various insurance plans can cover your massage chair and its expenses.
Additionally, you can use a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to finance the purchase of a massage chair. These accounts allow you to contribute funds pre-tax, leading to significant savings on health-related purchases. To maximize these benefits, ensure you have medical necessity documentation to support claims for reimbursement when using FSA or HSA funds for items not explicitly listed as eligible expenses. Consulting with a CPA or tax preparer can also help you determine if your purchase qualifies for tax deductions, potentially reducing your income tax liability.
General Liability Insurance
This is an insurance policy that covers you from incidents of ''trips and falls.'' So, in case of any harm to the massage chair, whether it tips over or there is power surge, your general liability insurance plan should cover the cost for you.
Business Personal Property Insurance
This is another practical option available to you. If your massage chair is stolen or lost, this type of insurance policy would cover the entire cost. Excluding theft, your insured belongings would be covered in the event of income loss, user injuries, fire damage, and more.
Product Liability Insurance
Many people with massage chairs in their homes have product liability insurance. It doesn't entirely cover your massage chair, but it does include specific parts that are used in providing a massage. So, in case of any mechanical damage or malfunction in the massage chair, your insurance plan would come into play and save you the hassle and repair bills.
Read Through the Insurance Company Plan
Clearly, you need to read through the insurance policy before approving the plan. The massage chair's cost can be significant, but you might be able to use Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) to help cover the expense. You should make sure it has a clause on covering medical massage. Read through the insurance plan carefully to guarantee that it allows you to cover the expenses of your massage chair, or the prescription by your physician would be for nothing.
Research Properly
If massage isn’t a recognized treatment for your ailment, your doctor won’t recommend chair massage therapies in the first place. Do your research to ensure therapeutic massage is an option to treat your ongoing health issues.
Additionally, using a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) can help you avoid paid income tax on the funds used to purchase a therapeutic chair.
For instance, in some cases it may be necessary to provide them with proof like reports that state massage chair benefits. Consult a healthcare expert and talk about any symptoms you’re going through along with the treatment options you can try.
Massage therapy can be an ideal alternative to pain medication. Speak with your physician about prescribing you massage chair therapies as they’re natural and do not come with the side effects of using pain meds.
Get a Prescription for Your Massage Chair
While there are many types of massage therapies available, you specifically want your insurance company to cover your massage chair expenses. So, let's explore that.
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. Rather than wellness spa recommendations, insist on having a personal massage chair for at-home therapies.
If your health care provider is uncertain about recommending massage chair therapies, focus on their concerns. This way, you can get a prescription for natural alternatives rather than medication alone.
Once you have written approval for necessary massage therapies, send the authorization with attached documents to your insurance agent and get your massage chair insured as soon as possible.
Take Care of Your Documents
Your records are absolutely necessary to get the insurance plan approved. You do not know when the insurance company will ask for a medical record; therefore, so take excellent care of your documents. If you lose your records, you will be at risk of not getting the insurance plan approved.
Pay Attention to the Maintenance
Beyond getting your massage chair insured, you must maintain and take care of a your massage chair more than other home essentials.
When your massage chair is used regularly, it can be more prone to wear and tear.
Here are some tips and tricks to keep your investment in the best shape possible:
- Clean the covering or upholstery of the massage chair regularly, including all corners and crevices.
- Be sure that no cleaning solutions get inside, try and clean those pieces away from the chair.
- Sweep out and dust regularly using a damp, soft piece of cloth.
- Be sure it is completely dry before you use it every time. (even a little moisture can hurt its mechanics)
- Do not keep your chair in direct sunlight. This can increase the odds of leather damage.
- Always keep your massage chair plugged into a surge protector.
- Pay attention to the sounds your chair makes. If it starts to sound different, get a professional to look at it.
A massage chair is an investment in your health and wellbeing. That being said, it is ideal to get it insured, but that doesn't mean that it requires less care from you as well.
Using a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Using a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be a smart way to save money on a massage chair, especially if you have a high-deductible health insurance plan. An HSA allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars specifically for medical expenses, including massage therapy and massage chairs.
To use your HSA to buy a massage chair, you’ll need to ensure that the chair is considered a qualified medical expense. This typically requires a doctor’s prescription for massage therapy, along with documentation that the chair is necessary for your health and wellbeing. Once you have the necessary paperwork, you can use your HSA funds to purchase the massage chair. Simply submit the receipt for reimbursement, and the funds will be disbursed to you tax-free.
One of the great benefits of an HSA is that the funds roll over from year to year, allowing you to save up for a massage chair over time. Additionally, HSAs are portable, meaning you can take them with you if you change jobs or health insurance plans.
When shopping for a massage chair to use with your HSA, look for models designed for therapeutic use. These chairs often feature heat, vibration, and massage rollers that can help alleviate chronic back pain and other health issues. Some popular massage chairs that may be eligible for HSA reimbursement include:
- The Human Touch Novo XT2, which features advanced massage technology and a sleek, modern design.
- The Inada DreamWave, offering a range of massage programs and a comfortable, ergonomic design.
- The Panasonic Real Pro EP-MA73, which boasts advanced massage technology and a compact, space-saving design.
Remember to keep all receipts and documentation, as you’ll need these to submit for reimbursement. It’s also a good idea to check with your insurance company to ensure the chair is eligible for reimbursement under your plan.
Overall, using an HSA to buy a massage chair can be a great way to save money on a valuable investment in your health and wellbeing. By following the necessary steps and choosing a qualified massage chair, you can enjoy the benefits of massage therapy while also saving money on your taxes.
