Comments on: Working for a Chiropractor

By: Chris Biser

Chris Biser — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:03:51 +0000

I decided to try to find a blog where I could see how other chiropractic offices are working with their massage therapists. I was very surprised to find all the mis-understanding between MT’s and Chiropractors. I can see that there is a big communication gap between Chiropractors and MT’s. Most Chiropractors view massage therapy as a very important adjunct to over-all health. Please understand that if a patient is shared between two physicians, the primary care doctor is controlling the content of patient care. That means, the type of therapy, education, supplements, exercise…and for how long. The primary care doctor is also responsible for the outcome of that patient’s care. This is standard practice in all medical practices. The Chiropractors that I work closely with include deep soft tissue, physiotherapy, exercise, nutrition and other appropriate life-style changes based on a through history, a full examination and laboratory testing. The doctor has a plan for each patient. It doesn’t matter what type of physician you are or how good you think you are, if you inherit a patient from a chiropractor, a doctor, a PT, another MT you need to follow the primary care physicans plan. Most doctors that I have worked with are open to discussing changes in treatment protocols. I would consider discussing your concerns with the doctor before you take it upon yourself to change the treatment plan. Another concern appears to be who is getting paid more. I would suggest that instead of asking how much a Chiropractor bills for MT services you might ask “What percent of my total fee for services are you collecting?” If the physican is smart, they will break the cost of bringing the patient to the MT. This will help you understand that chiropractors are not getting rich off of MT’s. It might also help you appreciate what it takes to build a practice. All of this is assumming that the doctor that you are working with owns the business and is supplying your business. Running a business is very complicated. From what I’ve read, it appears that many of you do not understand. Before attacking your potential partner in quality patient care, do your research.

By: mar

mar — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 22:40:58 +0000

kristinia,

How can you possibly work for 12 bucks an hour and mash your thumbs & elbows ?On top of that you must tell him to remove the other cards at the front desk.He does not have respect for you.Wake up and smell the coffee.Good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Brenda

Brenda — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 19:40:25 +0000

I guess I got a good deal. I have my own business. I rent a room in a chiropractic clinic for $100 a month. They refer their patients to me. I charge what I want, do what I want and am my own boss. They treat me like an equal and ask for my help in treating people.

By: Kimberly Custodio

Kimberly Custodio — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:41:57 +0000

yea…med pay policies…but almost all commercial billing there is a ppo reduction..that’s why my office never ever bills commercial…never…a massage therapist cannot live off of 11.52 for a 30 minute massage that actually cost 30.00

By: Kimberly Custodio

Kimberly Custodio — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:37:30 +0000

You are absolutley correct..I am a 11 year Chiropractic Technician-Biller-Front Desk..These people need to understand..no matter what you bill, Massage, adjustments..what ever…if the Chiro is set up to bill insurances…HELLO..there is a contracted rate and or ALLOWED AMOUNT that will paid….I know with PPO’s..Blue Cross-Blue Shild will only pay 9.28 per two units which is 30 minutes (30 dollars for 30 minutes)..then the patient is left paying ther copay which is about 2.24,,,ok so now that equals to 11.52…ah NOT….Thats why in our office..we do not bill insurance for massage..it’s on a cash basis only…However…PI-medpay policies we do bill, BUT…even with that there still is a ppo reduction….so our 30.00 massage …payment from a medpay policy is about 21.20…As long as the BILLED amount are exactly the same across the board..

By: Julie Onofrio

Julie Onofrio — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:03:50 +0000

check with an attorney. I have heard that non-compete clauses don’t hold up in court. Join my Facebook page and ask others for their experiences

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Massage-Practice-Builder/60800917270

you will be better off if you leave. It is so draining working in situations like that. You will be much better off I am sure.

Julie

By: kristina

kristina — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:50:46 +0000

i started working for a chiro about a month ago. as an employee. i receive $12/hr to do trigger point on his clients in a chair. after reluctantly signing a non-compete clause (as he seems LMTs as competition and i am not even allowed to tell clients that i work independently), i notice that another LMTs business cards have been placed at the sign-in window. (he’s violating his own non-compete clause and telling his clients that he recommends massage in conjunction with chiropractic but they shouldn’t come to me!!) i am so upset. his clients tell him everyday that i am the best LMT he’s ever had. so it’s not that i’m not proving my abilities. he’s a piece of work. i was warned by many before working there, but he has found a new way to screw over an LMT.

over 5 LMTs have gone through his practice and all have left quickly. i think i am about to leave as well. he is wracking up LMTs that, for 2 years after leaving his business, cannot work within 5 mile radius of his office. he’s sneaky and greedy. i doubt i will ever work for a chiropractor again… unless i am an independent contractor with my own room where i can bring my own clients in.

By: Julie Onofrio

Julie Onofrio — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:05:00 +0000

Actually I do all of my own billing and wait for the money for a week or two. Using electronic billing has changed the time dramatically. I have learned to screen out clients who have cases that will not pay or will be tricky to get paid. I just don’t have time for it. I work only with ins. companies that I know will pay. You can do that too if you would like.

I am just trying to make MT aware of the possibilities that are out there and that they deserve to make more than $15 an hour…

Thanks
Julie

By: Alison Chiropractic

Alison Chiropractic — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:30:35 +0000

Are you serious??? I guess you are NOT too involved in the billing process. The massage therapists get paid during their payroll dates from the chiro and then the chiro have to wait for payments from the insurance companies…

The doctor offices in many instances pay for supplies (such as lotions, massage sheets, towels etc), a front desk person who schedules their appointments, electricity to play the music or to keep the massage room warm/cold, plus marketing that might have brought in that massage client, any paperwork, reports that substantiate the necessity for the massage. You must think insurance companies pay on time and pay 100% of the billed amount. That definitely isn’t true with indemnity insurances… some personal injury cases I can see pay 100% of billed amount but that is few and far between too these day.

One of our therapists used to bill her own clients with their insurance and had to stop doing that because the money wasn’t 100% guaranteed to be paid to her in a timely manner… She experienced the delays, red tape etc. At times she didn’t know how to overcome their denials etc.

You are definitely misguiding MT out there regarding how chiro are scamming MT out of money they deserve from the insurance payment. WOW, unbelievable…

MT overhead is nothing compared to a chiropractic/medical office. For instance, the going rate in our neighbor for retail space is $4 per square foot and we have 2,000 sq ft office ummmm…. That’s $8,000 for the space not including all other expenses staff, supplies, insurances, electricity… MT usually are mobile and can from home, go to a client’s house, bring their table etc.

MT should be glad that chiro offices out there give MT the stability of work, insurance benefits (in some cases), etc.

By: Julie Onofrio

Julie Onofrio — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:39:38 +0000

No it isn’t easy but there are many chiros who are billing $100+ and getting $100+ for that session and only paying the massage therapist a very small portion of that. If you are having to wait to get paid, then you can usually start planning on that and create a revolving cash flow system – last month billing pay this months expenses. It is just part of doing business.
And now it isn’t easy to bill and it is getting more difficult to get paid every day.

I am talking about the chiros who are scamming mt which is quite common although I would guess less so these days with mt and clients becoming more wiser.