Save Costs on Rolfing and Craniosacral Work with a Flexible Spending Account

This very useful article from The New York Times explains how you can use a flexible spending account to save significantly on the cost of getting bodywork – one-third or more in some cases. First you need to set up and fund a flexible spending account:  you contribute to the account from your income, and this money is not taxable but must be used the same year. You then get a doctor's prescription for the bodywork, and submit a receipt to your plan. In effect, you are paying for bodywork with pre-tax dollars.

The article also offers useful guidance on navigating this with plan administrators by pointing to a study showing the beneficial effective of massage and noting that the government's flexible spending account will approve reimbursement for massage that doctors prescribe as medically necessary. Most doctors will recognize the value of Rolfing® Structural Integration, craniosacral work, massage, and other well-known forms of bodywork as treatment for pain, scoliosis, injuries, stress, TMJ, headaches, repetitive motion injuries, postural problems, and the like.

In many states, including Washington state where I'm located, Rolfing® Structural Integration is grouped in with massage for licensing, so I can work under massage prescriptions.

Comments

[Karin Edwards Wagner, Certified Rolfer]

There are different types of Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, Cafeteria Plans, etc. Many cover Rolfing but some do not (for instance, a limited FSA that is only for dental, vision, and medications).
Some types of accounts let you carry over the money to the next year, while others do not. Each person needs to carefully read the details of their program. Typically these accounts go along with a high-deductible insurance plan.
If you don't have insurance through your employer, you can get a plan through Pacific Source with about a 4K deductible for about $150/month, depending on your age. Especialy if you are self-employed, ask your tax person how to get a tax deduction for the premium and the health savings account contribution. While a high deductible policy will not actually pay for your health expenses in a typical year, it provides financial protection in the case of a catastrophy.
Your Health Savings Account will automatically come with a debit card. You can often request checks as well.