Treatments & services
Is massage therapy FSA eligible?
Sometimes — massage is FSA eligible only with a letter of medical necessity for a specific condition.
A relaxation massage doesn't qualify. Massage prescribed to treat a specific condition — chronic back pain, injury rehabilitation — can qualify if your doctor writes a letter of medical necessity stating the condition and treatment. Get the letter before you spend.
Before you buy: get the letter first
- Ask your doctor for a letter of medical necessity that names the condition and why this is treatment, and keep it on file.
- Then pay with your FSA/HSA card or file a claim with the letter attached. Buying before you have the letter risks a denied claim.
Does the same answer apply to an HSA?
Yes. FSAs and HSAs share the same qualified-medical-expense rules (IRS Publication 502), so eligibility is identical. The difference is the deadline: FSA money is forfeited at the end of the plan year, while HSA money never expires.
Last reviewed 2026-06-11. Based on IRS Publication 502 and published IRS guidance. Not tax or medical advice — your plan administrator has the final say.