Insurance Billing Manual
In 2005 I wrote the latest addition of the Insurance Billing Manual.
After some thought about what I want to be doing with this blog and my websites, I have decided to put all of the manual online for free for some various reasons:
- I am phasing insurance billing out of my practice because I no longer want to be a slave to insurance companies who are deciding our future. They are making steps to define medical massage by requiring special training above and beyond what is required for State Licensing. Our profession just sits and takes it.
- Here in WA as a contracted provider for HMO’s and PPO’s like Regence Blue Shield and Premera Blue Cross, I am paid less than my going rates and they are constantly reducing their allowable fees again because they can and no one is standing up to them with any success.
- One of the reasons things like this are happening is because massage therapists do not understand the severity of the issue. People in other states go where they are only allowed to bill for MVA’s or L&I are being paid fair amounts (and in my opinion -too much) for their services. Massage therapists are continually seeking to be accepted by such companies because they think it will be an easy way to get clients - it may help get clients but at what expense???
- It also has become more difficult to work with people who are on insurance as they don’t really understand that it is not for their stressful lives that causes the muscle tension and pain. They think the insurance companies should be responsible, but in reality it is the client who should be taking more responsibility. (This does not include people who are really hurt or injured)
- Insurance companies require that we “fix” clients and be able to prove it which really is not about healing in my opinion. Sure injuries have to repair themselves but what is the meaning of healing?
- Insurance companies are reducing their allowable fees, reducing benefits and delaying payments.
- Insurance companies do not take into account the power of the therapeutic relationship. They are attempting to eliminate so called “relaxation” massage and other types of massage that does not directly influence the injury or problem. This will eliminate many types of touch that are healing from being covered.
- Have you tried to find a good doctor lately? Most are opting out and taking cash only. They long ago got sick of having to spend so much just to keep a patient. It is happenind for Physical therapists and others too
- Personally, I do not want to be a part of such a system and hope to be instrumental in teaching massage therapists about what they are getting into when they want to accept insurance.
So for these reasons, I am making the insurance billing manual available so everyone can learn how to bill and experience it first hand so they can decide for themselves.
personally feel that the cost of playing with these insurance companies far outweighs the cost of getting new cash clients and teaching clients how to accept more responsibility for their health.
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