Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
No. Like chair massages in the airport or mall, massage therapy does not always require bare skin. Your massage therapist will work with you to maximize your comfort.
Yes. Your massage therapist can keep you comfortable with pillows and bolsters or give you a massage while you are seated or lying on your side.
Just do it! You could say, “I would like to try massage therapy to complement my care. That may reduce my pain, help me sleep better, help me recover more quickly, use less medication, improve my quality of life, etc. Will you please write a prescription for therapeutic massage with the reason for it, so my insurance will cover it?”
Massage is extremely safe when done by an experienced, licensed therapist. Side effects may include sleepiness.
Please call your insurance company to confirm if your plan covers "Massage Therapy provided by a Licensed Massage Therapist." Other questions to ask are:
- "How many units will my insurance cover for my massage prescription diagnosis of _____"
- "When assessing my treatment plan, do I have a limitation on how many visits?"
If massage therapy has been prescribed by your physician and your insurance does not cover it, we encourage you to consider an FSA or HRA. An FSA is an account that you put money into and spend as needed on self-pay health care expenses – such as therapeutic massage – tax-free. If you are interested in signing up for an FSA, please consult your insurance provider or employer. Additionally, some employers offer an HRA for their employees. This is an employer-funded, tax-free health benefit that reimburses employees for expenses not covered by insurance.