Can You Use HSA or FSA for Salt Therapy? Here’s How
If you’ve experienced the deep relaxation and respiratory relief that comes from a salt-therapy session, you already know how powerful visiting a salt cave can be for your overall wellness. What many people don’t know is that halotherapy may also be eligible under your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) — meaning you could use pre-tax dollars to pay for it.
That’s right: your next salt session might not just be good for your lungs and skin, it could also be a smart financial move.
Let’s break down exactly how it works, what documentation is required, and how you can make sure your claim is accepted by your HSA or FSA administrator.
What Is Halotherapy — and Why It’s Gaining Medical Attention
Halotherapy (also known as dry salt therapy) involves breathing in microscopic medical grade salt particles inside a controlled environment — like our salt cave at Salty Woods Greenwood. The dry aerosolized salt can help open airways, clear congestion, and reduce inflammation.
Halotherapy may be recommended by healthcare providers as a complementary treatment for respiratory, dermatological, or inflammatory conditions, including but not limited to:
Chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, or asthma
Allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies, or post-nasal congestion
COPD and other respiratory or pulmonary conditions
Coughs, colds, or lingering upper respiratory infections
Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, or dermatitis
Autoimmune or inflammatory skin disorders
Anxiety, fatigue, and stress-related respiratory tension
General inflammation or immune-supportive wellness
While halotherapy is still considered a complementary or “alternative” therapy, more and more physicians are recognizing its value as part of a holistic approach to respiratory and skin health. That’s why some HSA and FSA administrators now allow reimbursement for salt therapy when it’s used to treat a diagnosed medical condition and supported by documentation from a licensed healthcare provider.
How HSA and FSA Eligibility Works
Before diving into the “how,” it’s important to understand the why behind HSA/FSA eligibility.
According to the IRS, eligible medical expenses must be for the “diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.” That means if a therapy directly supports a medical condition — and your provider can confirm that — it can qualify.
However, services focused purely on relaxation or general wellness typically do not qualify. That’s where the Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) comes in.
An LMN is your key to getting halotherapy accepted as a legitimate healthcare expense.
Step One: Get a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)
An LMN is simply a signed statement from a licensed healthcare provider (your doctor, nurse practitioner, or specialist) verifying that halotherapy is medically necessary to treat a specific condition.
Here’s what to do:
1. Schedule a Visit with Your Healthcare Provider
If you experience chronic respiratory issues, skin inflammation, allergies, or similar conditions, talk to your provider about your symptoms. Mention that you’re interested in trying halotherapy as a supportive treatment and ask whether they’d recommend it.
2. Request the LMN
If your provider agrees that halotherapy could help, ask them to write a Letter of Medical Necessity. Most doctors are familiar with these — they’re often used for alternative therapies, massages, or fitness equipment prescribed for health reasons.
3. Make Sure It Includes the Required Information
A proper LMN must contain:
Patient’s name
Diagnosis or condition (for example, chronic sinusitis or asthma)
Specific treatment recommended: “Halotherapy (dry salt therapy)”
Medical justification: why the therapy is needed
Duration and frequency: how long and how often it should be used
Provider’s signature, credentials, and date
4. Submit It to Your Plan Administrator
Once signed, submit your LMN to your HSA or FSA plan administrator. Some administrators keep it on file; others require annual renewal.
Step Two: Keep Documentation and Receipts
Even if your provider signs off on the therapy, your reimbursement will depend on good documentation. The IRS and plan administrators require proof that the expense:
Was actually incurred (you received the service).
Matches what your LMN describes.
Lists the cost and date clearly.
At Salty Woods Greenwood, our receipts include all necessary details:
Business name and address
Service provided “Halotherapy Session” and description: Halotherapy session (dry salt therapy) for complimentary treatment of respiratory, dermatological, or inflammatory conditions.
Receipts include the Date for date of service
Amount paid
Keep these receipts and attach them to your claim submission. If you use your HSA or FSA debit card directly, still save your receipts — administrators often audit accounts and may request substantiation.
💡 Tip: Treat every receipt like a tax document. The IRS can ask for supporting paperwork up to seven years later, so it’s best to hold onto both the LMN and the session receipts.
Step Three: Submit Your Claim
Depending on your plan, you’ll either:
Pay upfront with your HSA/FSA debit card (if your provider accepts it), or
Pay out of pocket and request reimbursement by submitting your receipts and LMN.
Claims are usually processed within a few weeks. If your plan denies the request, you can often appeal by providing additional documentation or a more detailed LMN.
Why the Letter and Receipts Matter So Much
While halotherapy has clear benefits, it’s still considered an “alternative therapy” by most insurers. That means plan administrators need extra assurance that it’s being used as a medical treatment — not just a spa visit.
The Letter of Medical Necessity acts as that proof. Without it, the expense could be viewed as a personal or general wellness service, and reimbursement may be denied.
Similarly, detailed receipts show that you received the service as described. Together, these two items create a complete, compliant record that satisfies both your plan administrator and the IRS if your account is ever audited.
Making It Easy at Salty Woods Greenwood
We know paperwork isn’t the relaxing part of wellness — so we do everything we can to simplify the process.
When you book a halotherapy session, we’ll automatically send you the itemized receipt via email and we can always send you a duplicate if needed.
Our goal is to make it as easy as possible to use your benefits toward therapies that help you breathe easier, feel better, and improve your overall well-being.
Final Thoughts: Breathe Easy — and Save Smart
The idea of using your HSA or FSA for salt therapy might surprise you, but it’s becoming increasingly common as more people embrace natural, drug-free ways to improve their health.
With the right documentation — a Letter of Medical Necessity, clear receipts, and a little communication with your plan administrator — halotherapy can qualify as a legitimate, reimbursable healthcare expense.
So next time you book your session, you’re not just investing in your wellness — you might also be saving money while doing it.
Take a deep breath, relax, and let your salt session work its magic — your lungs, skin, and wallet will thank you.
Ready to experience the benefits of halotherapy?
Book your next salt session at Salty Woods Greenwood and ask us about using your HSA or FSA funds. We’ll guide you through every step so you can relax, breathe, and feel better — naturally.
Disclaimer
Salty Woods Greenwood is not a medical or tax professional, and the information provided here is for informational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as medical advice, financial guidance, or a guarantee of reimbursement under any Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plan.
Clients should consult their healthcare provider before beginning any new therapy to determine if halotherapy is appropriate for their individual health needs. Likewise, individuals should check with their HSA/FSA plan administrator or tax advisor to confirm eligibility requirements, documentation standards, and reimbursement policies specific to their plan.
Halotherapy is considered a complementary wellness service and may only qualify for reimbursement when prescribed as medically necessary by a licensed healthcare provider.