Last post Sun, Aug 17 2008 1:53 AM by Becky. 12 replies.
Hi! I'm the new kid. My Dr has suggested a hot tub for my Fibro. Pain meds are not doing much, as most of you know and Lyrica isn't helping either. So here's my question: If a Dr perscribes a Hot Tub for a patient, what are the tax write offs and does Medicare and Ins help with the cost?? It seems it would be cheaper than long-term therapy but that's just my logic.
That's a really great question. Wish my doctor would prescribe using a hot tub. Maybe help with cost of using a local Y and have access to one there? Just wondering.
Well just my opinion here but I do believe that is not a prescription but a suggestion. Some of my docs have "prescribed" exercise and counseling too. If you find out any different please let me know! I wanna a hot tub, that just sounds like heaven right now.
Sherry
A hot tub does sound like heaven doesn't it?
Hot tubs are heavenly....no doubt! But I would need one every day and I can't get down to the Y that often...yet.
I know here in Canada that the YMCA offers a reduced rate to anyone on a fixed income, and as I am on a Disability Pension now, if my dr writes it out as a prescription for water therapy, I can get my Disability Worker to provide transportation costs for it. Hence, if I attend at least 2x per week, they will provide a bus pass for the month for me. Pretty good deal, actually. The only reason I haven't taken advantage of it yet is because I am trying to quit smoking so I can afford the Y. I know, my own worst enemy....LOL I am working on it, though, and would love to be able to go down every darn day and get in a hot tub! At least I am moving finally into a one-bedroom apartment through subsidized housing here (which was only a 2and a half year wait) with a bathtub!!! Even that will seem like heaven after living without one for so long.
Hang in there, Fibro friends!
Gentle Hugs,
Maggie
I don't know what the tax laws are in Canada but here in the us if you save up all your reciepts from disability related expenses, they are all tax deductable. That's about the most help you can get here for Fibro unless you have really great healthcare. If you can get your doctor's support you might be able to get the tax deduction, but as far as offsetting the cost, you probably can't get that.
I will say that if you get one make sure the cover is easy to remove and has an assisting divice. My parents have one and it is a huge help with my fibro when I can get up there, but after a while the cover gets heavier and on a bad day I can't get it open or closed on my own without making things much worse. You will be so grateful for it though. The last time I house sat for them I used it twice a day and it was such a help.
Thanks for the suggestion, Rattie, but I am afraid the apartment building I am moving into at the end of this month would not allow a hot tub, and there really isn't anywhere to put it. So, I am stuck with using the Y to get to one, but I will get there!
Good to know, though, for people who can consider it. I would sooooo love one! LOL
Take care, my friends, and hang in there. Even those of us without hot tubs are slowly finding ways to cope.
Hi Sherry...............Hot Tubs...Yup, I have one and I have to admit that it helps. Or at least it doesn't hurt. I believe that I am a new self diagnosed Fibro guy , hum we have to be self as it is simply not recognized. Now is that just ridiculous or what. They , The Drs. can't even tell me that I had a broken back until I actually couldn't walk. I am or get discouraged but I have some new ideas of my own that just might be able to help us as a group.I now believe that if WE don't help ourselves , no one will..............Is your Dr giving advise???????? Brian from Arizona
I have a hot tub and I use it every day because the pain relief is unbelievable. I do have fibro, along with scleroderma, and the tub I have can be used indoors or out. I have had it for six years, and for two years it was in a bedroom of a two bedroom apartment. It filled the room, but it was worth it. Once it was filled, it did not need plumbing to continue circulation. Water changing was a bit complicated, but only needed to be done infrequently since it was not for public use. I use a non-chlorinated treatment periodically to keep it clean.
The lid is not a problem as it is very light, and the tub is large enough for me to sit down and spread my legs to stretch. I can also do some gentle excercises in it. It is called a "soft tub" in that it is not hard plastic, but covered inside and out with a soft, padded material. There is a termperature control so it can be very hot, or just pretty warm. It cost about $6000. It was included as part of my "medical expenses" tax write off. It is still in near new condition, and when the cover wears, the cover can be replaced without replacing the whole tub. Same with the motor.
It was not covered by any insurance plan, and I investigated it thooroughly at the time of purchase. I did put it on credit, and payed for it over time, however. It was worth every penny.
Anyone interested in knowing the brand,(and the place where I purchased it probably knows of other dealers around the country and in Canada), can PM me. I am not pitching this as a sales tactic. I just want to say that I don't know of anything like it for pain relief.
Hi Bonnie,
That sounds awsome. I would need it daily too. This past weekend, my sister-in-law treated me to a soak in hers. It was wonderful. However, the good of the soak was soon lost somewhere during my 3 hour drive back home. $6000 sounds like alot, but, if a person can do it, I say, more power to them. Thanks for sharing.
Valerie
Hi Laughindawg, The doctor suggested a hot tub for me too,so the great hubby i have when out and got one for us.Its great for the joints and i went out everyday,even when it was snowing. I was just talking to my pain med doctor the other day about the tub and if you are on the fentanyl patch make sure you dont get it wet.As far as a tax write off sorry to say its not a write off. If you get one enjoy! Hugs Peggy
You are so very fortunate for that Peggy!
How's the walking coming?
Gentle Hugs & Prayers,
Hello and welcome to Disaboom. Aww, too bad it's not a write-off for you. You could check with your insurance company though, maybe they would pay for at least part of it. Good luck to you!
Becky
