Can a chiropractor write a letter of medical necessity for massage therapy?
Asked by: Polly Hauck V | Last update: October 27, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (61 votes)
Can a letter of medical necessity come from a chiropractor?
An LOMN can help improve the odds of reimbursement for a product or service. However, it doesn't guarantee that an expense will be approved. Some examples of healthcare providers that can write an LOMN are: Chiropractors.
Who can write a letter of medical necessity for massage?
A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is a document furnished by a physician verifying the medical need for a service or product—typically something not directly covered by health insurance but has a distinct clinical benefit.
Can a chiropractor write a prescription for massage therapy?
While chiropractors can't prescribe medications, they can write prescriptions for other services and treatments, such as: Massage therapy. Physical therapy. Joint braces or tape.
Can a chiropractor write a medical note?
Yes. Chiropractors can write a note to an employer telling them that an employee is hurt and can not do their job. They can fill out a functional abilities form and suggest changes to duties or graduated hours. They can also write an employee a note telling them to go back to work.
Should I See A Chiropractor, A Massage Therapist, Or An Acupuncturist?
Can a chiropractor make a medical diagnosis?
A chiropractor's diagnosis helps pinpoint the root cause of physical issues, including pain, damaged nerves, lack of mobility, and inflammation. They use various methods to reach a diagnosis. These include: A physical exam and comprehensive medical history.
Can a chiropractor give medical clearance?
The answer is yes, a chiropractor can do DOT medical exams, as long as they are a registered Medical Examiner. The debate and controversy around this question largely comes from the perception that chiropractors are not “real” doctors.
Can chiropractors do massage therapy?
Can Chiropractors Provide Massage Therapy? Chiropractors not only relieve back pain and other ailments through spinal manipulation, but they also use deep tissue massage therapy or chiropractic massage techniques to mitigate discomfort, promoting pain relief, relaxation, and overall wellness.
How do I get a prescription for massage therapy?
Once you meet with your doctor about your condition or injury, be sure to ask her for a referral for massage therapy. You must have a referral in order to have your therapy covered by your insurance. Your referral is your only way of proving that medical massage therapy sessions are a medical necessity.
Can a chiropractor prescribe a muscle relaxer?
No, chiropractors cannot prescribe muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxants are prescription medications that fall outside the scope of chiropractic practice. If a chiropractor believes a patient could benefit from muscle relaxants, they will refer the patient to a medical doctor for further evaluation and treatment.
Who can fill out letter of medical necessity?
A Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) is the written explanation from the treating physician describing the medical need for services, equipment, or supplies to assist the claimant in the treatment, care, or relief of their accepted work-related illness(es).
How to prove medical necessity?
How is “medical necessity” determined? A doctor's attestation that a service is medically necessary is an important consideration. Your doctor or other provider may be asked to provide a “Letter of Medical Necessity” to your health plan as part of a “certification” or “utilization review” process.
How do I get a medical necessity letter for therapy?
Yes, a healthcare provider can draft a letter of medical necessity as long as the requested benefit is directly related to the care they are providing. Contact your benefit plan provider to determine if they require your primary care physician to review and sign the letter.
How do I get a letter of medical necessity for a massage?
How do I get a medical necessity letter for massage therapy? Talk to your primary care provider. In many HMOs and other health plans, this doctor is the one who must authorize the referral. Discuss medical necessity with the doctor.
Is a chiropractor an acceptable medical source?
A chiropractor is not considered an acceptable medical source. If you submitted records from your chiropractor, the SSA would not take the chiropractor's diagnosis or opinion into consideration when deciding whether or not you qualify for benefits. But, the SSA may look at some portion of these records.
Can a chiropractor write a nexus letter?
Expertise: Ensure the chiropractor is familiar with your full medical history and understands the requirements of a VA nexus letter. Supporting Evidence: A chiropractor's nexus letter should be well-supported by medical evidence and rationale, just like any other nexus letter.
Can a chiropractor write a prescription for massage?
Your Chiropractor Can Also Prescribe Physiotherapy Methods
Physiotherapy can help heal a variety of injury types from back pain to fractures, to neurological and cardiorespiratory issues. Commonly prescribed physiotherapy methods include: Massage therapy: Massage is not just relaxing.
How to get massage therapy covered by insurance?
A referral from your doctor can help you get insurance coverage for massage therapy. It can also be established as an important health benefit. Massage therapists are not allowed to diagnose medical conditions. Therefore, a prescription or referral from a physician is required for reimbursement.
Is it illegal to practice massage therapy without a license?
By contrast, in California, certification is voluntary. If you don't have a massage therapy license or certification in California and the city or town where you practice doesn't impose additional requirements, there isn't a penalty for practicing massage without a license in California.
How much do chiropractors pay massage therapists?
As of Jan 12, 2025, the average hourly pay for a Chiropractic Massage Therapist in the United States is $34.46 an hour.
Why do you tip a massage therapist but not a chiropractor?
In a more medical setting such as a chiropractic office, the massage is seen as a medical service and in those types of cases tips are generally not given. When people get a massage for a chronic medical condition they tend to see their therapist often.
Is it okay to get a massage after chiropractic?
Injury Rehabilitation: For individuals recovering from injuries, a massage after chiropractic care can promote faster healing and reduce post-adjustment soreness.
Can chiropractors write a doctor's note?
Can you use a chiropractor's note to get out of work or school? Chiropractor doctors notes can excuse you from work or school activities depending on the severity of your condition and limitations outlined in the note. However, each company or institution has its policies and procedures for handling these notes.
What requires medical clearance?
Medical clearance is a standard procedure required in order to play a sport, attend a certain school, join a fitness program, start a new job, before a surgery, etc. It's important to make sure your body can withstand the stresses of the activity requiring the medical clearance.
Can a chiropractor write a disability letter?
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 does accept chiropractors as acceptable medical professionals. However, a chiropractor's scope of practice may not be helpful to you when seeking short-term disability.