Are My Energy Healing Services qualified for FSA, HRA or HSA Reimbursement?

Can your client use their HSA, FSA, or HRA to pay for your energy healing sessions?

What should you say if a client asks if your services are eligible?

This is a question that comes up from time to time, but does not have a single universal answer. Clients are more informed than ever, and many want to use alternative savings accounts to cover services that fall outside traditional healthcare. You want to help — but you also want to stay professional, legal, and within your role.

In this article, we’ll explain what these health-related savings accounts are, how reimbursement typically works, and how you can support your clients without overstepping your role as a practitioner.

What Are FSA, HRA, and HSA Accounts and How Do They Work?

Before a client can determine if your services are eligible for reimbursement, it helps to understand what these accounts actually are — and what they are not.

FSA, HRA, and HSA accounts are not health insurance.

Instead, they are tax-advantaged savings accounts designed to help individuals pay for qualified medical expenses. These accounts may be offered as part of an employee benefits package and are managed by either a financial institution or an employer.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• HSA (Health Savings Account)
  • Owned by the individual
  • Paired with a specific type of healthcare plan
  • Funds roll over year to year and can be invested
  • Most flexible and portable of the three
    
    
• FSA (Flexible Spending Account)
  • Owned and controlled by an employer
  • Often has a “use it or lose it” rule each year
  • Typically offers limited rollover or grace period options
    
    
• HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement)
  • Funded and owned by an employer
  • Employers decide how the money can be used
  • Rules vary by organization

In all cases, the account administrator, based on federal law, — not the practitioner — determines whether a service is eligible for reimbursement. That’s why it’s important to refer clients back to their administrator if they have questions about using these accounts for your services.

Could Energy Healing Services Be Reimbursed?

While most energy healing services are not automatically approved for reimbursement through FSA, HSA, or HRA accounts, there are occasional exceptions — and they are entirely up to the client’s healthcare provider and account administrator.

Some clients may have received a reimbursement when:

• They provided a letter of medical necessity from a licensed healthcare provider
• The service was deemed supportive for a specific condition diagnosed by a licensed healthcare provider
• The account administrator agreed that the service met the requirements under that account’s specific guidelines

However, this is not common for most energy medicine modalities, and it’s never guaranteed.

Because energy healing, Reiki, Healing Touch, spiritual healing, tapping, chakra clearing, and similar modalities are not recognized, licensed medical treatments, they usually do not fall under what these accounts consider reimbursable healthcare services.

For this reason, clients should not assume they’ll be reimbursed unless the service has been requested by a licensed healthcare provider, and they've checked with the health savings account administrator to be sure the service and paperwork meet the requirements of the saving plan for reimbursement.

What You Can Provide (If Asked)

While practitioners should not offer advice or assurance about what a client’s account will cover, you can support the process by offering:

• A detailed invoice or receipt (with date, service description, and cost)
• Your scope of practice or a brief service description
• A copy of their signed consent form and/or session summary if the client needs it

It’s up to the client to gather any required documentation —

💡 Even solo practitioners need clear policies to protect their practice and their clients. Read: Do Energy Healers Really Need Paperwork and Policies in a Solo Practice?

What’s Next: Practice Professionally, Support Responsibly

When it comes to FSA, HSA, or HRA reimbursement, the answer isn’t straightforward— and it isn’t up to you as the practitioner. These accounts are managed by financial institutions or employers, and only they (along with the client) can determine whether your services may qualify under their specific plan.

As an energy healer, your role is to focus on ethical, professional practice — not on interpreting policies outside our scope of knowledge. While you can offer documentation to support a client’s inquiry, the responsibility ultimately lies with them to pursue approval through the proper channels.

If a client is interested in seeking reimbursement, encourage them to reach out directly to their health savings account administrator. They may also want to speak with a licensed healthcare provider if a letter of medical necessity is required.

You can support them by providing clear, accurate service documentation — and staying within your scope.

At EMPA, we’re committed to helping energy and holistic practitioners stay protected, informed, and confident — not just through liability coverage, but through guidance that supports professional boundaries and safe practice.

When you’re clear on your role and confident in your work, you can focus on what matters most: the wellbeing of your clients.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide legal, financial, or medical advice. The examples are general, and coverage may vary by policy. Always refer to your insurance provider or policy language for specific details, as the policy terms take precedence. For legal concerns related to your practice, consult an attorney.