Buying a massage chair with a prescription? What you should know
This article explains whether and how you can get a massage chair on prescription and what the optimal alternatives to a massage chair prescription or reimbursement by your health insurance company are.
In Germany, massage chairs cannot be obtained on prescription, which should come as no surprise to many people.
This is due to various reasons. First of all, it's important to understand that medical devices in Germany can only be prescribed if they are medically necessary, and since massage chairs are considered more of a luxury item, they cannot be prescribed.
It must also be emphasized that massage chairs are still considered purely comfort products and therefore cannot be used for the treatment of illnesses or for therapeutic purposes.
But of course, that doesn't mean you can't benefit from massage chairs!
There's a wealth of research showing that regular massages can reduce stress, help resolve sleep problems, and improve flexibility and muscle tone. For this reason, massage chairs are also attractive for people who suffer from back pain or simply want to relax their muscles.
So, if you're considering buying a massage chair, rest assured: it's worth the investment! But keep in mind that, for the reasons mentioned above, unfortunately, you can't get one with a prescription—but there are so many alternatives!
Alternatives to the massage chair prescription
A suitable alternative is to purchase refurbished exhibition pieces from trustworthy suppliers in Germany.
You should also test such models in advance and then decide whether or not to buy them.
Another alternative is to purchase on installments.
Installment purchase can be applied to refurbished or brand new models.
How does health insurance coverage generally work?
In Germany, statutory health insurance funds generally cover all medical services, such as medical treatment, medications, and approved remedies. To receive reimbursement, patients must provide a doctor's authorization and provide their insurance number and correct details of their insurance provider. Patients must also confirm that they paid for the treatment out of their own funds. If all requirements are met, the fund may cover the costs partially or fully. In some cases, proof of special needs or illness may be required for reimbursement.
When can you get products on prescription in Germany?
In Germany, many products can be obtained on prescription, but not all. When answering the question "When can you obtain products on prescription in Germany?", several factors must be considered: First, the products must be therapeutically necessary and contribute to the treatment of a specific illness or specific need.
Another factor is the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), which decides on the prescription of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Not all medical devices or pharmaceuticals meet the G-BA's requirements, meaning they cannot be prescribed. One example is massage chairs – although they can provide therapeutic benefits, they are considered purely comfort products, so they cannot be prescribed.
In addition, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) also defines legally established requirements for products that can be prescribed. These include, among other things, ensuring product quality and product safety. If these conditions are met, the product can ultimately be prescribed.
Conclusion: In Germany, many products can be obtained on prescription, but not all of them – there are certain requirements and criteria that must be met by the manufacturing company and the Federal Joint Committee, as well as specific requirements for medicinal products or medical devices.
Sources and further evidence:
• “Joint Federal Committee: Medical Devices and Adapted Medicinal Products” (G-BA, 2017): https://www.g-ba.de/gesetze-und-verordnungen/medizinprodukte/
• “Authorization of medical devices – EMEA” (EMEA 2008): https://www.ema.europa.eu/documents/pressrelease/zulassung-medizinischer-produkte_de.pdf
•“Manual Massage Chairs: Their Benefits for General Health and Wellness” (Vickery & Cooper, 2016): https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/
10.1089/acm.
2016.0034
• “Stress Management Through Massage Chairs” (Singh & Gupta, 2018): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468661218300419
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