While arthritis has no cure, hot tubs can certainly help manage and relieve its symptoms.
Will Health Insurance Pay for a Hot Tub?
We discuss the medical uses of hot tubs and whether or not a hot tub can be covered by insurance!
Arthritis bothering you? Sore muscles from a medical condition or physiotherapy? A hot tub could be one of the best forms of medicine. But you might think it’s too expensive.
Could your health insurance pay for a hot tub?
Let’s get into this question and help you find some relief.
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What are the medical uses for hot tubs?
One of the most effective uses of a hot tub is hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments, such as arthritis, muscle pain, and even stress.
In addition to hydrotherapy, hot tubs can also be used as a form of muscle massage. The warm water and jets can help to relieve the tension in your muscles, as well as your joint pain.
Hot tubs can help you get a better night’s sleep. Hot water can help calm the central nervous system, which can lead to better sleep.
Hydrotherapy and Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions that hot tub therapy can help with. Hydrotherapy can help reduce pain and inflammation by increasing blood flow and joint mobility. Hydrotherapy is most effective when done in moderation, so people with arthritis are encouraged to try a hot tub.
Muscle Massage
A hot tub can be used as a form of muscle massage. The jets in the tub can help to loosen up your muscles and make it easier to relieve the tension in your body. The best part is that you can do this without paying a professional massage therapist. If you are experiencing a lot of muscle tension, a hot tub can help to relax those muscles. It can also help to relieve pain and stress in the muscles.
Stress Relief
A hot tub can be a great way to reduce stress. After a long day at work, it can be hard to unwind. Hot water can be a great way to help soothe your nerves and help you relax. The warm water can help to lower your heart rate and reduce blood pressure. Hot tubs can be a great way to relieve stress for people of all ages. It’s important to remember that hot water can also be dangerous for small children. Parents should always keep a close eye on their children when they are in the hot tub.
Hydrotherapy and Sleep
Studies have shown that hot water can be effective at helping you to fall asleep. It has the same calming effect on the nervous system as it does when you’re trying to relax and relieve stress. If you have trouble falling asleep, you may want to consider trying a hot tub.
How Do You Get A Hot Tub Covered By Insurance?
Once you have decided on a hot tub and have it installed, you will need to call your insurance company to let them know that you have the tub. This is the first step to getting the tub covered by insurance.
If your insurance company is not willing to cover the tub, you may be able to file an insurance claim. You’ll need to contact your insurance company and explain your situation.
To increase your chances of getting a hot tub for medical reasons covered by insurance, you’ll need to provide documentation. This typically includes a prescription or letter of medical necessity from your doctor, detailing how the hot tub will treat your specific condition, such as arthritis or chronic pain. You may also need to submit receipts, installation details, and proof that the hot tub meets your insurer’s criteria for medical equipment. Check with your insurance provider for their specific requirements to ensure a smooth claims process.
Pro Insight • Epic Hot Tubs Service Team
“The most common insurance question we hear in our showrooms is whether a plan will reimburse the purchase. Our honest advice: never buy on the assumption that reimbursement will come through. Get the prescription or letter of medical necessity from your doctor first, then ask your insurer for a decision in writing before you order. If the answer is no, you can still look at financing, and you will not be caught off guard.”
Will Blue Cross Blue Shield Pay for a Hot Tub?
Many people wonder if Blue Cross Blue Shield will pay for a hot tub, especially for medical conditions like arthritis or muscle pain. Coverage depends on your specific plan and the state you live in, as Blue Cross Blue Shield operates through regional plans with varying policies. Some plans may cover a hot tub if it’s deemed medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor for hydrotherapy. However, you’ll need to verify with your local Blue Cross Blue Shield provider, provide a detailed medical justification, and ensure the hot tub meets their guidelines for durable medical equipment. Contact your plan administrator to confirm eligibility and required documentation.
Therapeutic Hot Tubs and Health Care Plans
If getting a hot tub covered matters to you, check a plan’s details before assuming anything. Most standard health plans do not cover hot tubs at all, and where any coverage exists it varies widely from plan to plan and usually depends on documented medical necessity.
If you have a particular health condition and you’re looking to get coverage for a therapeutic hot tub, you may have a bit easier time. This type of health insurance coverage is designed for patients who are seeking additional care beyond simply seeing a doctor when they’re sick.
Many users ask if hydrotherapy is covered by insurance, as it’s a key benefit of hot tubs. Hydrotherapy may be covered under certain health plans if prescribed for conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or post-surgical recovery. However, coverage often requires proof of medical necessity, such as a doctor’s prescription, and may be limited to specific hot tub types, like infrared or magnetic therapy models. Always review your plan’s benefits summary or speak with your insurer to confirm whether hydrotherapy treatments via a hot tub qualify for coverage.
What types of hot tubs may be covered?
There are many different types of hot tubs. Some of them may be easier to be covered by health insurance than others. If you’re trying to determine if your health insurance will pay for hot tub coverage, you should first decide what type of tub you want.
When a plan does consider coverage, tubs positioned as therapeutic devices (such as infrared or magnetic-therapy models) tend to have the best chance, since they are framed around a medical benefit. Infrared therapy uses infrared light to help soothe muscles and ease inflammation. Even so, coverage is uncommon and always comes down to your specific plan and a documented medical need.
| Hot Tub Type | Medical Benefits | Likelihood of Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared Therapy | Reduces inflammation, soothes muscles, promotes healing | Low to moderate – best case, and typically only with a doctor’s prescription |
| Magnetic Therapy | Marketed for circulation and pain relief | Low to moderate – only with documented medical necessity |
| Traditional Hot Tub | Provides hydrotherapy, muscle relaxation | Very low – rarely covered; treated as a lifestyle purchase |
What types of hot tubs are unlikely to be covered?
A standard recreational hot tub is the hardest to get covered, since insurers tend to treat it as a lifestyle purchase rather than medical equipment. If you are pursuing coverage or a medical-expense deduction later, keep thorough documentation and talk with your insurer and a tax professional about what actually qualifies.
Possible exclusions
If you are trying to get a hot tub covered, expect exclusions and read the fine print carefully. In most cases you will need to cover the purchase price out of pocket unless your plan has specifically approved the tub as medically necessary.
Is A Hot Tub Considered Deductible Medical Equipment?
You may have heard that a hot tub can simply be written off as medical equipment and is eligible for a tax deduction. The reality is more limited than that.
A hot tub may qualify as a deductible medical expense, but only if a doctor prescribes it to treat a specific diagnosed condition. Even then, the IRS generally lets you count only the cost above any increase the tub adds to your home’s value, and medical expenses are deductible only past a percentage-of-income threshold. Keep every receipt and the doctor’s documentation, and confirm what actually qualifies with a tax professional before counting on any deduction. A hot tub is a big financial commitment, so make sure you can afford the full cost regardless of the tax outcome.
Are Pools & Spas Tax Deductible as Medical Expenses?
A hot tub is a bit different than a swim spa or a pool. Health insurance companies often cover spa visits as a form of physical therapy, but they never cover the purchase of a swim spa or pool. If you’re looking to get coverage for a spa or pool as a medical deduction, you’ll likely want to turn to a flexible spending account or health savings account.
These accounts work like a pretax savings plan, meaning that your expenses are covered before federal, state, and local taxes are applied. This means that you’ll have to pay taxes on the money you put into the account, but not on the expenses that are covered by the account.
How do you know if your health insurance will pay for a hot tub?
If your health insurance plan covers hot tubs and you’re using it as a medical expense, it’s possible that it will cover the full cost of the hot tub.
If it’s a standard health insurance plan, it likely won’t cover a hot tub that’s designed for therapeutic use. You can talk with your plan administrator and see if it’s possible to add a hot tub to your plan. If you don’t have health insurance, you can look for plans that include coverage for a hot tub.
Pro Insight • Epic Hot Tubs Service Team
“Whatever your insurer decides, keep a paper trail from day one: the doctor’s letter, every receipt, and the delivery and installation records. In our experience, the customers who get anywhere with a claim, or with a medical deduction their tax professional signs off on later, are the ones who saved everything.”
Alternatives to Health Insurance Financing to buy a Hot Tub
If you’re looking to buy a hot tub but don’t have health insurance or you don’t have the funds saved to pay for it out of pocket, there are a few other options.
You can try to add a hot tub to your health insurance plan if you’re a member of a group health plan. You can also try to get a loan from a bank or financing company.
If you want to buy a hot tub but don’t have health insurance that covers it, it could be a good idea to wait until you have health insurance before buying the tub. You can also try to get a low-interest loan to pay for the hot tub. This way, you won’t be paying interest on the tub until you’re able to pay it off.
Hot Tub Insurance FAQ
Will insurance pay for a hot tub if you have arthritis?
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions that hot tub hydrotherapy can help with, but a diagnosis alone does not guarantee coverage. Whether your plan pays depends on your specific policy. Insurers that consider it typically require a prescription or letter of medical necessity from your doctor explaining how the hot tub treats your arthritis, along with receipts and installation details. Ask your insurer in writing what they require before you buy.
Will health insurance pay for a swim spa?
Swim spas and pools are treated differently than hot tubs. Health insurance companies often cover spa visits as a form of physical therapy, but they do not cover the purchase of a swim spa or pool. If you want to pursue a swim spa as a medical expense, a flexible spending account or health savings account is usually the route to look into. Confirm eligibility with your plan administrator first.
Will Medicare pay for a hot tub?
Medicare coverage decisions depend on your specific situation and on current Medicare rules, so do not rely on general answers you read online. Start with your doctor and ask whether a letter of medical necessity fits your condition. Then contact Medicare or your plan administrator directly and get their answer in writing before you purchase anything.
Can you use an HSA or FSA to buy a hot tub?
Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts work like a pretax savings plan, and they are the route this article suggests when insurance will not pay directly. Eligibility is not automatic: you will generally need documentation of medical necessity from your doctor, and your plan administrator has the final say. Confirm with your FSA or HSA administrator, in writing, before you spend the funds.
Does homeowners insurance cover a hot tub?
That is a different question from health insurance. Health insurance relates to a hot tub as a medical treatment, while homeowners insurance relates to your hot tub as property. Whether a hot tub is covered under your homeowners policy depends entirely on your individual policy, so contact your home insurance provider directly to review your coverage.
What documentation do you need to get a hot tub covered by insurance?
Typically you will need a prescription or letter of medical necessity from your doctor that details how the hot tub will treat your specific condition, plus receipts, installation details, and proof that the hot tub meets your insurer’s criteria for medical equipment. Every insurer is different, so check their specific requirements before you file a claim.
Final Thoughts
If you need hot tub treatments for your medical condition, it’s always a good idea to see if your health insurance will cover the hot tub purchase. People with arthritis and chronic pain can greatly benefit from warm water immersion.
It’s important to do your research ahead of time so that you don’t end up having to pay for something that should be covered by insurance.
Have questions, or want to see options in person? Stop by any of our five North Carolina showrooms and talk it through with our team: Raleigh, Durham, Sanford, Charlotte, or North Charlotte. We are open 7 days a week, no appointment needed.
About The Author:
Richard Horvath
Hot Tub & Spa Expert
Richard has been in the hot tub & spa industry for years. As a long hot tub & swim spa owner himself, Richard has a passion for helping homeowners create their dream backyard.
