Coming off of an intensely stressful week due to a family medical emergency in FL, my neck and shoulders were screaming at me to get a massage (all is on the up-and-up now, but it was by far the most stressful week of my life – long story!). Lucky for me my awesome hubby bought me a spa gift card for my November birthday and I was saving it for a rainy day. Well the monsoon arrived and I was a mess, so off to Charles Grayson I went and massage therapist, Nicole, saved the day!
While on the massage table, I was doing some Smarty investigating, as I often do throughout my daily routines. I was complaining that it’s a shame insurance companies don’t cover massage therapy in at least your flexible spending part of your benefits plan. To my surprise she said, yes, some plans do cover this. One of my best buds from college is a nurse at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL and wouldn’t you know her plan has been covering massage therapy for years. In fact, she goes every other week for her massage pick-me-up. So you Smarties in the healthcare field or if you know you have the Cadillac insurance plan, you should get reacquainted with your insurance company. Chances are, you may have this BONUS benefit.
So I got on the horn to check out my plan and no dice! Bummer for me, my plan does not cover massage therapy under medical benefits (I can use it towards my flexible spending), however, it does cover acupuncture, S-C-O-R-E! I was informed that there are no in-network acupuncturists within a 25 mile radius of my house. Double score – this means I can go out of network. I just need to work with my acupuncturist to get him/her authorized and voila, I’m in like Flynn!
So for me, I have to pay the initial $200 deductible specific to acupuncture and I can go as many times in a year as I want with a $20 co-pay. I just might try it out. This is a new level of therapy for me. I’ve heard it can be the answer to my skinny bitch prayers and then some! Many of my friends use acupuncture for back pain, sleep issues, headaches, and even fertility. Do you have experience with acupuncture? If so, who do you recommend? Please comment below, I would love your Smarty recommendations!
10 comments
What a great tip! I had no idea, checking my insurance right now. Thanks!
This is some really good information I will pass this little tidbit on to my clients.I currently work with massage therapists who want successful practices, visit my site for more information. http://www.massagetherapybusinessmentor.com
I love Dr. Wang at Stonecrest for Accupuncture. He is great and really helped me! http://www.ballantyneacupuncture.com/ Also, call me anytime with a massage emergency – I will work on you! ThanksAdri Warrick
Chuck Hipple in Dilworth! He is great!
I am obessed with accupuncture! I went for over a year to help fertility issues a couple of years ago, but it also helped with my stress and had benefits for my overall health. I went to Hope at Charlotte Accupuncture on East Blvd.
You may want to call back and double check with your insurance that all reasons for acupuncture are covered and not just ceratin diagnosis codes. I was having back and neck issues a few years ago and had tried EVERYTHING. I finally called my insurance and asked if acupuncture was covered. They gave me a blanket answer of "yes" but there were no providers in network, so I could go out of network and file the claim for reimbursement. Well after I had gone a few times and filed the paperwork they denied all my claims saying acupuncture was only covered for specific diagnosis codes, and mine wasn't one of the covered ones. I went around and around with them and couldn't get any help or verification of what I was originally told. I had to eat the $500 worth of great/helpful treatments but couldn't afford to keep going if they weren't going to pay any of it. Just a word to the wise to make sure they cover for all reasons and not just a select few…wish I had been told the whole truth not just "yes"
Very, very, very good point! I'm going to cross every "t" and dot every "i" before I believe a word from my insurance company! If it means that I need a medical referral from my doctor, then so be it. Too bad I don't work for a hospital, huh? My friend is a nurse and massage is covered under preventative benefits. Maybe that's a Florida thing, I don't know. Regardless, I really have heard incredible things about acupuncture and have wanted to try it. Coverage under my medical plan would be a bonus. If not covered, then I won't go as often!
Laura Murphy at Essential Therapy in Cotswold is phenomenal. Used to see her every 2 weeks when i had a really stressful job and she kept me pain-free. She offers regular Swedish massage, as well as deep tissue (my fave) and sports injury/medical massage. Her rates can't be beat for the service you receive, $65/hour! http://www.essentialtherapync.com.
Thanks for the article! More and more insurance companies DO cover acupuncture, but we have a long way to go. I am in-network with United Healthcare, Aetna, Humana and more. Depending on the patient's plan, therapeutic acupuncture services are typically covered in full.
Massage therapy and acupuncture are really good ways to relax our body. That's why many office workers want to avail of these services at a time to relax after heavy work.Actually, massage therapy is also used for patients who have injuries from accidents. With that, hospitals provide special physical therapy (Texas) for them, as well as for others. The therapy is very helpful for their fast recovery, and with the help of any physical therapist (in Texas), they will be guided during the treatment procedure. Massage is really helpful for the the relaxation of our body, and can be used for treatment as well.