While insurance covers chiropractic care, 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.
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 pressure and movement. While massage has not always been seen as a legitimate medical treatment, research has now shown the myriad health benefits 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 techniques necessary to unlock these health benefits and are trained to create custom treatment plans. Depending on your healthcare needs, they can custom-make a massage therapy program to best suit your needs and improve your overall health.
Does Health Insurance Cover Massage Therapy?
As previously mentioned, chiropractic is covered by insurance, but it’s less likely to find an insurance company that will also cover massage therapy. However, that’s not to say it’s impossible. In any case, it’s best to check with your insurance provider and look over your plan to make sure you don’t have to foot the entire massage therapy bill.
Fewer policies, on average, cover the costs of professional massage therapy. Additionally, even if your health insurance does provide coverage, there may be limitations, such as how many appointments you can make within a certain period. 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 recommending 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 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 chiropractic massage covered by insurance, even partially, by your health insurance plan. If this is the case, don’t give up. If you don’t have massage insurance coverage, 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?
You can attest to how good it feels if you’ve ever received a massage. But this sense of relaxation is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the overall benefits of professional massage therapy. A massage from a licensed massage therapist can provide a range of health benefits for your physical and mental health. Massage therapy can reduce pain throughout the body, relieve tension, improve blood flow and circulation, and improve mood and mental health.
Almost anyone can benefit from massage therapy. However, it’s important to know whether or not your current healthcare plan will cover this type of treatment. 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.
Governor's Park Chiropractic is the Colorado chiropractor team dedicated to helping individuals get out of pain and achieve better health. Offering a range of services and treatment options to meet the specific needs of each patient.