At Governor’s Park Chiropractic, chiropractic care is just the beginning of what we offer our patients. In addition to general chiropractic adjustments, we offer a range of treatments to help us better serve our patients. These healthcare services include acupuncture, therapy and rehabilitation, spinal decompression, and even professional massage therapy.

But before beginning any treatment program, it’s important to know whether or not your therapy will be covered by your insurance plan. While chiropractic care is accepted by most insurance plans, alternative therapies, such as massage therapy, may present more complications when it comes to coverage. In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at massage therapy and answering whether or not insurance covers massage therapy.

Governor’s Park Chiropractic is your leading full-service chiropractic office in Colorado and serves patients throughout the greater Denver area. Our premier chiropractic office offers our patients a range of healthcare treatments, including chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, acupuncture, and even custom orthotics. With a level of unmatched dedication and experience, our team at Governor’s Park Chiropractic can speed up your recovery time, relieve your chronic pain and stiffness, and restore mobility throughout your body. Together, we begin your journey toward better health and wellness.

What is Professional Massage Therapy?

According to the Mayo Clinic, massage therapy is a process where a trained and certified massage therapist manipulates the soft tissues of your body to relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce anxiety and stress. Massage therapists manually treat your muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and skin with varying degrees of pressure and movement. While massage has not always been seen as a legitimate medical treatment, research now has shown the myriad of health benefits that patients can receive from this approach to care.

Significant research now shows the range of health benefits of massage therapy. Massages can work to reduce stress, lessen pain and muscle tension, help you feel more relaxed and calm, and even boost the strength of your immune system. For the best results, it’s recommended to visit a licensed massage therapist. They understand the specific techniques necessary to unlock these health benefits and have the awareness to work with the patient. Depending on your healthcare needs, they can tailor fit a massage therapy program to best suit your needs and improve your overall health.

Does Health Insurance Cover Massage Therapy?

Before receiving any type of therapy or healthcare treatment, it’s important to know whether or not this care will be covered by your health insurance plan. While costs should never prevent you from receiving the care you need, it’s still smart to be conscious as to how your treatment will impact your wallet.

Compared to other types of treatment, such as chiropractic care, fewer policies on average cover the costs of professional massage therapy. Additionally, even if your health insurance does provide coverage, there may be limitations in place, such as how many appointments you can make in a certain period of time. Some policies will flat out fail to cover massage therapy. For example, Medicare currently does not cover massage therapy. This means that you may be on the hook for the full costs of this treatment.

But with so many health benefits linked to massage therapy, why is it not covered in more insurance plans? Massage therapy is classified under Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM). CAM treatments may be recommended to complement standard medical treatment plans and programs.

When it comes to CAM treatments, there is no standard procedure for insurance providers to cover these therapies. However, there are two primary ways to improve your chances of having your massage therapy covered. When massage therapy is determined to be “medically necessary” and fits the criteria for coverage as outlined by your insurer, you may be able to receive full or partial coverage. Additionally, if the massage falls under the criteria of “habilitation” treatment, it may also be covered and determined to be an essential health benefit.

How Can I Get Massage Therapy Covered by Insurance?

While there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get your massage therapy covered by your health insurance, there are ways to improve your odds. Since many insurance providers may require massage therapy as a necessary part of your recovery and treatment, it goes a long way to have your massage therapy prescribed or recommended by your primary care physician.

In recent years, more and more doctors have begun to recommend massage therapy as a complementary part of their treatment plans. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), roughly 25 percent of patients reported that their doctor referred them to a massage therapist when they brought up this treatment. Additionally, almost half of the survey participants reported that their doctors either strongly recommended or encouraged them to receive massage therapy.

What if I Can’t Get My Massage Therapy Covered?

In some cases, you may not be able to get your massage therapy covered, even partially, but your health insurance plan. If this is the case, don’t give up. Our office will work with you to explore every option possible to ensure that you receive the care you need. We may be able to offer discounts or package deals depending on your treatment.

For patients who do not receive coverage, you may want to look into a health savings account (HAS) or a flexible spending account (FSA) that can offer alternative options for getting your treatment covered. Alternatively, you may be able to contact a nearby massage therapy school where they can offer treatment for a much lower cost.

Conclusion – Does Insurance Cover Massage Therapy?

If you’ve ever received a massage, then you can attest to how good it feels. But this sense of rest and relaxation is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the overall benefits of professional massage therapy. Receiving a massage from a licensed massage therapist can provide a range of health benefits for your physical health and mental health. Massage therapy can reduce pain throughout the body, relieve tension, improve your blood flow and circulation, and improve your mood and mental health.

Almost anyone can benefit from massage therapy. However, it’s important to first know whether or not this type of treatment will be covered (in full or partially) by your current healthcare plan. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if your plan will cover massage therapy. Additionally, the healthcare staff at your local chiropractic office will be able to help you navigate your coverage to determine the most cost-effective option available to ensure you get the treatment you need.

Governor’s Park Chiropractic specializes in professional massage therapy to boost your overall wellness. Additionally, we offer a variety of services, including acupuncture, spinal decompression, custom orthotics, and general chiropractic care to treat a range of healthcare issues. Our team of specialists work together with one goal in mind: your recovery and health. We understand that every healing journey is unique, which is why we develop personalized treatment plans for each patient. If you’re experiencing chronic back pain, neck pain or stiffness, sciatica, or you’re recovering from a car accident, our team of expert chiropractors can improve your recovery and get you back on track to the active and fulfilling lifestyle you love.

Contact us today at Governor’s Park Chiropractic. Discover what our full-service chiropractic care office can do for your health and wellness.