Insurance and the Initial Treatment

Roughly three quarters of individuals who frequent massage therapy do so through their extended health coverage. 

There are a variety of companies and just as many policy types.

Massage therapy is a common coverage, but it is not a basic service. It is advised that the potential client find out what the parameters of their coverage are before the first appointment. For example, a doctor’s prescription may be needed for the insurance company to reimburse the funds. Depending on  the coverage, individual and group plans vary.

The wide span of different coverages typically range anywhere from $300 per month to $1200. Other specifications include a percentage maximum. For example, an insurance company claim may only cover 80%. That means that for a $75.00 treatment, the insurance company will reimburse the client $60.

A commonly seen insurance coverage, Medavie Blue Cross, includes the convenience of the direct billing option. With the insurance card in hand, the therapist can log on to the computer and file the treatment immediately after the appointment.

The computer work is done in just minutes and eliminates the step of mailing the receipt for reimbursement. Ask your therapist if this service is offered.

With the clarity of the individual’s insurance policy, the completion of the health history form and assessments, the therapist will show the client to the treatment room.

Prior to the treatment, the positions and sequence of the massage will be agreed upon. 

The therapist leaves treatment room to wash their hands as the client gets undressed and onto the massage table. There is a top sheet and a bottom sheet for the privacy of the client.

Returning to the treatment room, the therapist will knock before entering and only uncovers what area of the body to be treated.  Placement of pillows will add comfort to the client as well.

An invitation to stop, change or modify any parts of the treatment is a responsibility of the therapist.

The beginning of the session generally is lighter, to warm up the tissue and get the client accustom to the therapists’ touch. If deeper techniques are performed without this step, the tissue itself will often either kick back or tighten up to prevent what the tissue senses as potential damage.

Once the deeper techniques are being used, a check in on the client to see if the pressure is satisfactory will help the therapist gauge whether or not to modify at that point. Clients are encouraged to speak up and express if the pressure is preferred or not.

The treatment will end with more subtle techniques again, allowing the body to cool down. After the treatment, the therapist leaves the treatment room to wash their hands and allows privacy for the client to get dressed.

Prior to the client leaving the clinic, the RMT will instruct on some useful stretching and exercise to enhance the therapy and the recuperation of the body.

Call the toll free number located on your insurance card to discover what your coverage is. Invest some time for yourself and book a massage appointment today.