Massage therapy performed by a chiropractor, medical provider, or in-office physical therapist is covered. Costs, insurance coverage and prescriptions vary depending on the medical massage provider, so it's always best to check before scheduling. At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Comprehensive Health Center, we need a prescription whenever a patient plans to bill through their health insurance or wants to use their flexible spending account or health savings account to pay for the service. Patients have the option of paying on their own without a prescription.
One of the most effective ways to ensure insurance coverage for massage therapy is to obtain a doctor's referral. Since massage therapists are not licensed to diagnose medical conditions, referring a doctor with an ICD-10 diagnostic code increases the likelihood of insurance reimbursement. Insurance coverage for medical massages varies depending on your specific plan and the circumstances surrounding the treatment. While some insurance policies include massage therapy, coverage is often linked to medical need. This means that the therapy must be prescribed by a healthcare provider to treat a specific condition or for medical reasons, such as pain management, recovery from injury or chronic illness.
Medical massage therapy differs from general massage therapy because it is designed for specific medical conditions. However, many insurers only consider massage therapy to be necessary during the acute phase of treatment, and not as ongoing therapy. Massage therapy can be a valuable component of health care, but ensuring insurance coverage for physical therapy often requires a clear understanding of the process. Therapists who work in a medical environment tend to have continued education to obtain advanced certifications; however, there is no truly defining line in the industry between massage therapy and medical or therapeutic massage therapy.
