Do massage therapists fall under HIPAA?
Asked by: Garrick Barton Sr. | Last update: July 3, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (56 votes)
Does HIPAA apply to massage therapists?
However, massage therapists operate like healthcare providers in most respects, and therefore must adhere to HIPAA regulations.
Does HIPAA apply to spas?
HIPAA compliance is mandatory for medical spas that handle physical and electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI/PHI), including personal client details (e.g. name, address, ID number) and treatment details (e.g. medical records, facial images, notes).
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.
Can a massage therapist be sued for medical malpractice?
If you suffered a medical injury after seeing a massage therapist, you could be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit if the injury resulted from the massage therapist's negligence.
What You Need to Know About HIPAA as a Massage Therapist
Under what circumstances can massage therapists legally breach confidentiality?
In The Ethics of Touch by Ben Benjamin and Cherie Sohnen-Moe, we are told: “Some reasons for breaking confidentiality include: there's a clear and imminent danger to the client or another individual; a client discloses an intention to commit a crime; you suspect abuse or neglect of a child, an elderly person, or an ...
Which specialties are most commonly sued for medical malpractice?
- General surgery: 90%
- OB-GYN: 85%
- Orthopedics: 82%
- Plastic surgery: 73%
- Otolaryngology: 72%
- Radiology: 72%
- Urology: 72%
- Emergency medicine: 71%
What does massage therapist fall under?
About This Career. Performs therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans. This career is part of the Human Services cluster Personal Care Services pathway.
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.
Why isn't massage therapy covered by insurance?
Massage therapy is a supplementary and alternative medical treatment (CAM). When it comes to certain medical illnesses and situations, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be utilized to supplement mainstream medical therapy by doctors. As a complementary treatment, not all insurances cover massage therapy.
What is not covered under HIPAA?
Non-Covered Entities: Entities that are not healthcare providers, health plans, or healthcare clearinghouses, and do not otherwise meet the definition of a business associate, are not covered by HIPAA.
What Cannot be disclosed under HIPAA?
Protected health information (PHI) cannot be shared under HIPAA. So what exactly is considered PHI according to HIPAA? It's information that can identify a particular patient, including health records, lab reports, bills, or even verbal conversations.
What information is exempt from HIPAA?
HIPAA does not apply to healthcare services and facilities that do not conduct covered transactions. Standard disclosure rules do not apply to substance use disorder patient records. State laws can also override HIPAA on the non-disclosure of psychotherapy notes.
Is massage therapy OSHA recordable?
Since massage therapy is included on the list of first aid treatments in section 1904.7(b)(5)(ii), if the only treatment an injured worker receives is ART, the employer is not required to record the injury. OSHA considers ART to be first aid regardless of the professional status of the person providing the treatment.
What if a massage therapist is inappropriate?
If the inappropriate behavior continues, stop the session immediately. Ask the therapist to leave the room so you can get dressed. Report the incident. File an official report with the massage therapy organization before you leave.
Do HIPAA laws apply to therapists?
Therapists employed by a covered entity are required to comply with HIPAA to the extent that their employer is responsible for developing HIPAA-compliant policies and procedures, and therapists are required to comply with the policies and procedures.
What is the highest paid massage therapist?
- New York, NY. $50.62 per hour. 424 salaries reported.
- Boulder, CO. $47.89 per hour. 61 salaries reported.
- Chicago, IL. $43.05 per hour. 329 salaries reported.
- Los Angeles, CA. $42.58 per hour. 244 salaries reported.
- Colorado Springs, CO. $40.49 per hour.
How long do most massage therapists last?
Various sources report the average lifespan of a massage therapy career is 5-7 years, but it's possible to have a successful career that lasts a few decades. What's the difference between 5 years and 30 years? Continuing education, self-care, and autonomy.
Is it OK to get 2 massages in one day?
It takes a good 48 hours for the system to rebalance after a deep massage, so at least a two day gap between massages is ideal.
Can you do massages 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.
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 is the most pleasurable type of massage?
- Swedish Massage. The most common type of massage therapy, Swedish massage will help to relax you with a combination of specific movements including: ...
- Hot Stone Massage. Another very relaxing type of massage is the hot stone massage. ...
- Chair Massage. ...
- Aromatherapy Massage.
What specialty pays the highest malpractice insurance?
The specialty that pays the highest malpractice insurance is OB/GYN (Obstetrics and Gynecology). This is primarily due to the high-risk nature of their work. OB/GYNs often face complex cases involving childbirth, which can lead to severe complications. These complications increase the likelihood of lawsuits.
What specialty is least likely to be sued?
The specialties at lowest risk of lawsuits include allergists and immunologists, with 7% of physicians being sued during their careers, and hematologists and oncologists, with 8% of physicians being sued during their careers.
What are the 4 D's of a malpractice lawsuit?
The four Ds of medical malpractice are duty, dereliction (negligence or deviation from the standard of care), damages, and direct cause. Each of these four elements must be proved to have been present, based on a preponderance of the evidence, for malpractice to be found.