Are massage therapists covered entities?
Asked by: Bartholome Leuschke | Last update: June 24, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (55 votes)
Is a therapist a covered entity?
A therapist is a solo covered entity under HIPAA when they work independently of other healthcare providers and conduct transactions electronically for which the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has adopted standards.
What category does massage therapy fall under?
Massage therapy generally falls under the classification of "general health," which refers to a service or procedure that can provide a boost to a person's overall health and wellness but is not considered a vital treatment to alleviate a specific medical condition.
Are massages covered under insurance?
If you do not have a medical need for massage therapy and are only seeing a massage for enjoyment, then you will not be covered by medical insurance. Talk to your doctor as you will need a referral or prescription, and they may be able to work with you.
What industry is massage therapy considered?
In particular, we expressed support to maintain that massage therapy provided as an integrative health therapy should remain under the large umbrella of Other Health Practitioners (NAICS code 621399).
Is Massage Therapy Covered by Insurance?
What is the business classification for massage therapy?
621399 - Offices of All Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners.
What field does massage therapy fall under?
Massage therapists play an important role in the field of allied health. They use touch and pressure to manipulate the soft tissues of the body to promote relaxation, relieve pain, reduce stress and promote the overall wellness of their clients.
Is massage therapy covered by United Healthcare?
Complementary and alternative medicine may be available if purchased by the subscriber's employer as a supplemental benefit/rider. Massage therapy is covered when medically necessary and authorized by the member's contracting primary care physician.
Does massage therapy count as medical expense?
For instance, if your doctor prescribes massages to help recover from an injury or manage a chronic condition, you may be able to include these costs in your medical expense deductions. Keep in mind that the IRS requires that these expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income before you can claim them.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal cover massage therapy?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers alternative medicine for federal employees. Effective Jan. 1, 2001 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan members will have access to a national network of chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and health and wellness products at discounted prices.
Is a massage therapist considered a medical provider?
This is just a small number of allied healthcare workers, and some estimates state that up to 60% of employees in healthcare are in allied care. So, by definition, massage therapy is part of healthcare services, and massage therapists are medical professionals.
What is the classification of massage?
1.2: Classification of massage techniques on the basis of character of techniques. Stroking manipulations: Superficial stroking, effleurage. Pressure manipulations: Kneading, petrissage, friction. Tapotement/percussion manipulations. Vibratory manipulations.
How many massages can a therapist do in a day?
Massage therapy sessions
How many appointments you have in a day depends on your availability and scheduling preferences, but most full-time therapists will see around five clients a day with massage appointments typically lasting between 60 and 90 minutes.
Who is not a covered entity?
A non-covered entity is an individual, business, or agency that is NOT a health care provider that conducts certain transactions in electronic form, NOT a health care clearinghouse, and NOT a health plan.
How do you know if a therapist is covered by insurance?
Check your description of plan benefits—it should include information on behavioral health services or coverage for mental health and substance-use disorders. If you still aren't sure, ask your human resources representative or contact your insurance company directly.
Do massage therapists fall under HIPAA?
Massage therapists are generally not considered covered entities under HIPAA unless they electronically transmit health information for specific transactions like insurance claims. Despite this, they have a significant ethical duty to protect client privacy and confidentiality while maintaining professional boundaries.
How is massage therapy billed?
Current Procedural Terminology codes, or CPT codes, are used by insurance providers to document medical procedures. Use these codes to explain the treatment you provide when you bill insurance for your services. The most common 3 codes are: 97010 Hot/Cold Packs, 97124 Massage Therapy, and 97140 Manual Therapy.
Can massages be covered by HSA?
Your HSA can pay for massage therapy, though you'll likely need a letter of medical necessity (LMN) from your doctor. An LMN states what condition the treatment is for, how many sessions you need, and any other relevant details. An HSA may also be used on alternative or holistic treatments, such as: Massage therapy.
Can I write off therapy on my taxes?
(added March 17, 2023) A7: Yes, if the therapy is treatment for a disease. For example, an amount paid for therapy to treat a diagnosed mental illness is a medical expense, but an amount paid for marital counseling is not.
Is a massage a healthcare expense?
Others may have exhausted standard medical solutions and are turning to massage as a last means to manage their health. As long as the massage was recommended or prescribed by a medical professional, massage therapy can be a qualified medical expense that is tax deductible.
Will UnitedHealthcare pay for a hot tub?
Will United Healthcare pay for a hot tub? United Healthcare may pay for a hot tub if it is prescribed as a necessary piece of durable medical equipment by a doctor and if it is specifically constructed for medical use.
Does massage therapy fall under healthcare?
Definition. Clinical massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the human body for therapeutic purposes. Based in ancient traditions, massage therapy is a professional health care discipline in the United States.
Why did I quit massage therapy?
I was not prepared for the awful experience of working as a massage therapist. My clients were demanding and often creepy, thinking it was okay to cross my boundaries. The last client I saw was so awful that I gave up massage therapy completely.
What industry does massage fall under?
For Massage Therapy/Massage Therapists use NAICS Business Industry Code 621399 instead (Other Miscellaneous Health Practitioners).