Is a handheld percussion massage gun an approved HSA expense?

[miriamastewart]

Popular brands are Hypervolt, Theragun, and Hydragun

[LeonardS]

Yes, handheld percussion massage guns are an approved HSA expense as they are considered to be durable medical equipment.  However, all massage guns are not approved you need to verify that the brand you are interested in is approved.

Medically necessary durable medical equipment that your doctor prescribes for use in your home has to meet a few criteria. They have to be long-lasting with an expected lifetime for at least 3 years, used for a medical reason, and not be useful to someone who isn't sick or injured (Healthcare.gov)

Edited [6 February 2022 | 1:30 pm PST]

@miriamastewart

[Opus 17]

Approved HSA expenses are the same as expenses that are approved for the medical expense deduction on schedule a, as listed in IRS publication 502. Medical expenses are deductible if they are used to cure, treat, or mitigate a disease or condition that affects the normal function of the body.  Expenses for general health improvement or not deductible.

If you have a medical condition and the massage gun is a doctor recommended treatment, I would expect it to be allowable, and I don’t think you need a prescription.  But it can’t just be for a general health benefit.  

[miriamastewart]

@Opus 17 & @LeonardS  Thank you both for the quick responses.

I intend to use the massage gun as an alternative to going to a massage therapist or chiropractor. At least until I am comfortable being up close and personal with people again (COVID-19).

Question #2

How do you find out which brands are approved? I looked through Publication 502 from the IRS website, and it doesn't include any verbiage for massage guns.

[Opus 17]

@miriamastewart 

I would suggest you check with the HSA bank. They have some responsibility toward making sure that reimbursements are only for allowable expenses, and may have more detailed lists of allowable expenses.  The IRS will never get into specific brand names that are acceptable or unacceptable for anything, that’s just not the level they go into. The IRS simply enforces the overall regulation about medical necessity.

[miriamastewart]

Thank you so much for helping me.