Is a massage therapist considered a medical provider?
Asked by: Kale Hoppe | Last update: September 13, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (32 votes)
Is a massage therapist a healthcare provider?
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.
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.
Is massage therapy considered medical treatment?
yes, massage is considered part of the healthcare industry and we are bound by hipaa regulations.
Is a therapist a medical provider?
A licensed person or organization that provides health care services. Examples of health care providers include doctors, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, laboratories, hospitals, clinics, and other health care centers.
The Physical Benefits of Massage Therapy – Trigger Points, Cupping and Deep Tissue Massage
What counts as a medical provider?
The term “health care provider” includes a hospital, skilled nursing facility, nursing facility, home health entity or other long term care facility, health care clinic, community mental health center (as defined in section 300x–2(b)(1) of this title), renal dialysis facility, blood center, ambulatory surgical center ...
Is a massage therapist considered a doctor?
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 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.
What does massage therapy fall under in insurance?
In these cases, massage therapy is often categorized as physical therapy or alternative care. Plan Type: Some Cigna plans may offer coverage for massage therapy as part of complementary or alternative care services, while others may not include it or may require additional riders or supplementary coverage.
What is a medical massage therapist called?
A medical massage therapist is a licensed massage therapist (LMT) who treats health conditions diagnosed by a doctor. Massage therapy in medical settings is growing because the practice of combining traditional and alternative medicine is increasing.
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).
How to get a letter of medical necessity for massage therapy?
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.
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.
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.
Do massage therapists get NPI?
NPIs can be given to individual care providers or larger practices and organizations. You can apply for one as a solo massage therapist or, if you've set up an LLC or other business entity for your massage business, you can apply for one for your business.
What is the highest level of massage therapist?
Board certification can be obtained from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and indicates that a massage therapist has attained a higher level of achievement beyond entry level licensure. Board certification is the highest voluntary credential available to massage therapists.
What is the medical code for massage therapy?
CPT 97124 should be used when a qualified healthcare professional performs any massage technique on the patient in a clinical setting. The qualified healthcare professional includes: Physical Therapist. Occupational Therapist.
Will Medicaid cover massage therapy?
The government calls these Alternative and Complementary Medicine. The ACA doesn't see them as essential benefits. So, it's hard to claim massage therapy through Medicaid and insurance. You'll likely need to pay the full cost.
Are massage therapists covered entities?
Massage therapists are generally not considered covered entities under HIPAA unless they transmit health information electronically in connection with HIPAA-covered transactions, such as submitting insurance claims. However, safeguarding client privacy and maintaining confidentiality is still best practice.
Is massage therapy part of healthcare?
Massage Therapy is Mainstream Healthcare.
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.
How long do 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.
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 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.
Can a doctor refer you to a massage therapist?
Providers that typically refer for massage include: Physical Therapists. Chiropractors. Medical Physicians, such as General Practice, Orthopedic, Osteopathic, and OBGYN doctors.