Back

Alternative Healers: FSA Eligibility

Alternative Healers: eligible with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Alternative healer reimbursement (provided that the service is eligible) is eligible with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Alternative healer reimbursement may be eligible with a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) if the expense is dental or vision related. Alternative healer reimbursement is not eligible with a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA). Some benefits administrators my require documentation to support that treatment from the alternative healer was primarily used to treat a specific medical condition. Speak with your benefits administrator about what type of information if any may be required for an alternative healer expense to qualify.

What are alternative healers?

Alternative healers, or those that practice Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), cover a wide range of potential professionals who specialize in treatments, therapies and disciplines to alleviate specific medical conditions. What is considered alternative medicine today could easily become a mainstream treatment tomorrow as many of these methods undergo testing and clinical trials in the future. When these methods are combined with standard medical procedures, physicians refer to this practice as "integrative medicine" (Mayo Clinic).

Alternative healers can specialize in myriad disciplines, whether focusing on a full spectrum of care to treat a specific medical condition or alleviating distinct symptoms. Some 40 percent of Americans have used some type of alternative healer to treat a medical condition, and the most common healers used nationwide include:

  • Homeopathy: The practice of using extremely diluted forms of natural substances that are used to treat a wide variety of ailments.
  • Naturopathy: Treatments such as acupuncture, massage, herbal remedies and other noninvasive methods are believed to promote the body's own ability to heal itself.
  • Chiropractic: Chiropractors specialize in the manipulation of the spine to put the body back into an ideal alignment to treat chronic pain, joint conditions, headaches and more.
  • Energy Therapy: Through the use of magnets, these alternative healers manipulate the body's energy fields to treat a wide range of medical conditions.
  • Reiki: This is the practice of an alternative healer placing his/her hands lightly on a person's skin to access the body's natural energy. It is meant to promote relaxation, relieve anxiety, and manage pain.

When is alternative healer reimbursement eligible?

Most alternative healers should qualify, however the alterative healer must be used to treat a specific medical condition and not for general good health. As such, your benefits administrator may require that you produce a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) for FSA, HSA or HRA reimbursement.

Popular Categories

Don't know where to begin? Start with these popular categories to find the eligible items and services you need.
Popular Categories

Best Sellers