Generally speaking, health insurance companies won’t cover the cost of purchasing or installing a hot tub, as they typically categorize hot tubs as personal care items, similar to massage chairs or saunas, and not as medically necessary equipment. However, depending on your health insurance company, your specific health insurance policy, and the diagnosis and treatment plan prescribed by your doctor, you might be able to have some of those expenses reimbursed if you have a true medical need for hydrotherapy.

Will Insurance Cover Your Hot Tub?

If your doctor prescribes hot tub therapy or hydrotherapy for a specific medical condition, like chronic pain, arthritis, or muscle spasms, there’s a slim chance your insurance might cover some of the cost, but be prepared to jump through hoops and provide extensive documentation to prove medical necessity. Even with a prescription and thorough documentation, your claim may be rejected because some policies specifically exclude hot tub coverage, and many health insurance companies deem home hot tubs as personal care equipment, not necessary medical equipment. 

In no-fault insurance states, if you were injured as the result of the actions of another person (like a car accident) or entity and your doctor prescribes hydrotherapy as part of your rehabilitation plan, your no-fault insurance might partially cover the purchase or rental of a hot tub. If the responsible party’s insurance company denies your claim, your own insurance policy might partially cover treatment. It’s also important to note that the hot tub itself cannot be the sort of tub that people use for recreation, it has to be a specially constructed one-person/small medical hot tub.

Every insurance company has unique policies and procedures, so it’s best to contact your provider directly to understand their specific stance on hot tub coverage and the steps involved in requesting reimbursement. If your insurer denies your claim, you can appeal it, or purchase the hot tub yourself and potentially claim the tax deduction. You can also consider changing providers or coverage, however at some point the cost of owning a hot tub may outweigh the cost of changing policies.

If your health insurance is willing to pay for a hot tub, make sure you know exactly what sort of hot tub they are willing to pay for. There are specialized one-person hot tubs made specifically for medical treatments; the more common larger hot tubs are seldom approved by insurers. Even with a prescription and relevant documents to support your claim, be prepared for a potential fight with your insurance company as they might deny your claim.

What Are the Medical Benefits of Hot Tubs

Hot tubs offer a relaxing and enjoyable experience that may hold some promising potential for managing certain medical conditions. However, it’s crucial to approach them with realistic expectations and consult your doctor before incorporating them into your treatment plan. While research is still ongoing, some studies suggest that hot tub use may offer potential health benefits in several areas:

• Pain Relief: The warmth of the water increases blood flow, which can help relax muscles and reduce stiffness. This may offer temporary relief from pain associated with conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic low back pain.
• Improved Sleep: The relaxation and stress reduction experienced from soaking in a hot tub can contribute to better sleep quality which is especially helpful for individuals struggling with insomnia or sleep disturbances.
• Management of Certain Medical Conditions: Some preliminary research suggests that hot tub use might offer adjunctive benefits for managing symptoms of specific conditions, including:
  • Heart disease: Studies show that regular hot water immersion may improve endothelial function, potentially leading to reduced cardiovascular risk.
  • High blood pressure: Some research indicates that hot water immersion may have temporary blood pressure-lowering effects.
  • Diabetes: Studies suggest that hot tub use might help improve blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

While the above-mentioned benefits are promising, more high-quality research is necessary to fully understand the long-term effects and efficacy of hot tub use for specific medical conditions. The potential benefits of hot tubs will vary significantly between individuals and depend on factors like their overall health, their specific condition, and how often they use their hot tub.

Having a hot tub in your backyard might be ideal, but relying solely on health insurance for coverage might not be the most realistic financial approach, and remember hot tubs are not a magic bullet, they’re just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to your well-being. 

We can’t offer you insurance quotes or tax write-offs, but we can help you design a backyard healing oasis. Browse our selection of hot tub spas here and give us a call at 970-879-4390 or contact us with questions.