Massage Therapy and Coverage From Benefits Plans

The end of the year is coming up. It is a good idea to check to see what benefits you still have left with your health insurance coverage . Massage therapy, Chiro and physio are some of the common health benefits that many people don’t end up using and losing out on treatments that are already covered by your insurance or benefits plan.

Many Canadians are not aware that their medical coverage through their employer, spouse, or parents’ insurance benefits may cover registered massage therapy. Almost all benefit plans cover a maximum amount within a set period of time (typically a year). That means that if you go over the amount covered by your provider you will be paying out of pocket. However, it also means that if you are under your maximum limit then you are not making the most of your plan and are leaving money on the table.

If you have a plan and have not used all your massage coverage yet, then you are essentially letting your coverage go to waste.

Know your coverage

Not every plan will cover the entire cost of registered massage therapy. In most cases the majority of the cost will be covered, but in other instances only a percentage (80% is common) will be covered. It’s important to talk to your insurance provider. It is also important that you check to see if a prescription from your doctor is required to get massage therapy. Some plans need this in order for you to claim it through the insurance provider. Something as simple as a sore back is enough to get a prescription, so don’t hesitate and book in now with your healthcare provider. 

How many people use insurance?

The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario commissioned a study which found that, in Ontario, 75% of patients pay for their registered massage therapy, in full or in part, through workplace insurance benefits. It is a common and accepted practice in Canada to use your work coverage to pay for registered massage therapy.

Registered massage therapy works

Using workplace insurance to cover the cost of registered massage therapy helps to alleviate both physical and mental conditions including:

• Shoulder pain

• Back pain

• Neck pain

• Migraines

• Muscle and joint pain

• Restricted movement

• Anxiety and stress.

Relieve work stress with a massage

One of the biggest benefits to patients is the stress relieving qualities of registered massage therapy. In Canada stress resulting from job-related factors costs an estimated $16 billion per year. Using your coverage to pay for registered massage therapy is not only beneficial to you, but also to your employer. Massage therapy will make you a more relaxed, happy, and productive employee.

Repetitive strain injuries (resulting from performing the same task over and over again, like typing) now affects one in ten Canadians. Registered massage therapy is an effective preventative therapy for relieving the strain caused by performing repetitive tasks.

Since massage alleviates physical and mental health conditions, and is an effective preventative therapy it has a broad range of applications. So, if massage is covered by your insurance plan then you should make the most of it during the stressful holiday season and before your benefits reset in January.

Book now at Athletickneads.com so we can get you back in the game with massage therapy!