This is one of our most frequently asked questions. The answer is yes and no. This article will further explain the solution and hopefully, provide the clarity you are looking for.
First, if you already used your deductible and want to have your insurance company cover a massage chair’s cost, then the answer is typically no. Massage chairs usually do not have a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) insurance code, meaning they cannot be covered by insurance. Durable medical equipment (DME) is reusable medical equipment, including walkers, wheelchairs, or crutches. If you have Medicare Part B, Medicare includes some medically necessary durable medical equipment if your physician or treating practitioner prescribes it for you to use at home.
Having your health insurance plan pay for a new massage chair can be challenging, but for many, it is possible to get your chair – or at least a part of the cost – covered under specific benefit plans. Because the health insurance market has become so stringent on what is not covered, you might have to fight to get your plan to comply with your request.
Alas, even if your health insurance will not cover the cost of a massage chair, you may have other options for offsetting the cost of this worthwhile purchase.
Using a New Massage Chair To Help Meet Your Deductible
Some health insurance plans may allow you to apply the cost of a therapeutic chair against your annual deductible. Typically, this requires a doctor’s prescription for the therapeutic chair. Also, the insurance company will usually require that the chair be considered DME under the plan terms.
To determine whether this is a possibility under your plan, talk to your benefits administrator or research the benefits and terms of your healthcare plan. You can also speak with your care provider to see if they can offer insight into how to get a massage chair covered under insurance.
Using an FSA or HSA to Pay for a New Massage Chair
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) as a part of your medical benefits plan, you may be able to get reimbursed for some or all of the cost of a therapeutic chair.
Suppose you can utilize these benefits for your purchase. In that case, you will derive even more financial benefit from the investment because, in most cases, the money you deposit into your FSA or HSA typically goes in pre-tax. In other words, you won’t have paid income tax on the money you used to purchase your new chair.
Tax Deductions for a Massage Chair Purchase
In some cases, you can take a tax deduction for a physician-prescribed therapeutic chair purchase. Not everyone qualifies for a tax deduction, but your CPA or tax preparer can help you determine if this is possible for you. If you are eligible to take a deduction, you could significantly reduce your income tax liability.
If the equipment was prescribed by a medical professional, it might also be possible to have the sales tax waived on a chair purchase (depending on the sales tax laws in your area).
CONCLUSION:
Even if none of these options apply to your situation, there are alternative ways to acquire a premium massage chair for your home—for example, Floridian Brand partners with Syncrony Bank, Affirm and Klarna. Qualified buyers may enjoy 0% financing and 12-36-month terms. The application process is fast and straightforward, and you will be able to enjoy your comfort in no time!
