Massage Therapy: Does Medicare Cover It? (2024)

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover massage therapy by a licensed massage therapist. That said, massage may be covered as part of treatment plans in occupational or physical therapy, for example.

Massage Therapy: Does Medicare Cover It? (1)Share on Pinterest

Massage therapy is a treatment that manipulates the soft tissues in your body. It’s often used for relaxation but can also be beneficial for some health conditions.

For example, it can:

  • boost circulation
  • reduce muscle and joint pain
  • increase flexibility

Medicare considers massage therapy an “alternative treatment,” so it’s not deemed medically necessary. That’s why Original Medicare (parts A and B) won’t pay for massage therapy sessions.

Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, on the other hand, might cover massage therapy.

In this article, we’ll review when massage therapy could be paid for by a Medicare plan and what you’ll need to do to get the cost covered.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that runs Medicare, has classified massage therapy as an “alternative and complementary medicine.” As such, Medicare generally doesn’t pay for massages by themselves.

If you have Original Medicare, you’ll be responsible for 100% of the costs of massage therapy out of pocket. Typical massage therapy sessions cost about $60 per hour. Costs vary by region, massage type, and gratuity.

The one exception to this rule is if the massage is to be administered as part of the treatment plan of another covered service, such as occupational therapy. Original Medicare will then pay for the therapy overall, and this may include massage.

Does Part C (Medicare Advantage) cover massage therapy?

While Original Medicare doesn’t cover massage therapy as a service by itself, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may.

Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance plans. They’re approved by Medicare, and they cover everything original Medicare does. However, these plans often extend coverage to other areas of treatment, including vision and dental care.

As of 2019, therapeutic massage is covered as a supplemental benefit under some Medicare Advantage plans. According to CMS, about 270 Medicare Advantage plans offer massage coverage, covering nearly 1.5 million enrollees.

For Medicare Advantage to cover massage therapy, you’ll need to:

  1. Seek treatment for a condition that’s related to an injury or illness, such as chronic pain or limited mobility.
  2. Get an order or prescription from an in-network doctor for massage therapy to treat a covered medical condition.
  3. Find a state-licensed massage therapist registered with your plan’s network and has a National Provider Identifier.

Your Medicare Advantage plan may not cover 100% of the costs of your massage therapy. You may still owe a copayment or deductible.

What’s more, Medicare Advantage plans with these additional areas of coverage often cost more than more limited plans. However, those higher plan costs may be offset by the costs they cover for additional benefits.

If you think you’ll need insurance coverage for massage therapy, search for a Medicare Part C plan that offers this benefit. Medicare offers an online tool to help you see what your coverage options are and purchase a plan that’s right for you.

What about Medigap?

Medigap, or Medicare supplement insurance, is a plan that pays the cost of deductibles and copayments from original Medicare.

Medigap plans pay for costs from Original Medicare only. Since Original Medicare doesn’t pay for massage therapy, Medigap plans won’t pay for that service either, except in the specific exception cases.

In addition, Medigap may pay for any leftover expenses from other covered therapies, such as chiropractic treatments and physical therapy.

Tips for affordable massage therapy

If you don’t have insurance coverage for massage therapy, you still may be able to get the benefits of this therapeutic practice. You might try:

  • self-massage to target specific problem areas or issues
  • foam rolling
  • timing your sessions to what’s most beneficial for your body and your wallet
  • joining a massage center that offers discounts on a package of several treatments
  • finding a local massage school, where students often offer services for free or at a reduced cost

While Medicare doesn’t cover massage therapy, Part B will cover other therapeutic treatments that may use massage as part of their treatment plans. Let’s take a look at what types of therapy are covered, costs, and eligibility rules.

A massage may be covered by Original Medicare as part of another therapy service in certain cases.

After you’ve met your Part B deductible, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of the costs of these services. You’ll pay the remaining 20% out of pocket or use your Medigap plan to cover them.

A Medicare-approved physician will have to refer you to a physical therapist or specialist who can treat you with this type of therapy. A doctor’s order or a prescription may be needed.

This may include:

  • Physical or occupational therapy: Medicare will cover the examination and care of injuries or illnesses that impact your ability to function, with the goal of improving or maintaining your current function or slowing any decline.
  • Acupuncture: Medicare covers 12 sessions for chronic lower back pain within 90 days. Additional visits (up to 20 in a year) must be approved by Medicare beforehand.
  • Chiropractic services: This is covered only if you’re receiving spinal manipulation (adjustment) and only if you’ve been diagnosed with spinal subluxation.

Medicare Advantage must also offer the same coverage, though it cannot specifically mention that it covers massage therapy in its description of its coverage.

The service must be referred to by the broader category and may include a variety of treatments, one of which might be managed.

Original Medicare (parts A and B) doesn’t cover massage therapy, but it can cover other therapies like physical therapy and acupuncture, which may include massage as part of the treatment plan.

If you use massage therapy without Medicare coverage, you’ll be responsible for 100% of the costs.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) may offer some coverage for massage therapy. You can seek out a Medicare Advantage plan that covers massage therapy. It may be more expensive than other Part C plans, but the additional coverage may offset your out-of-pocket costs.

The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.

Massage Therapy: Does Medicare Cover It? (2024)
Top Articles
9 QA Interview Questions + How To Answer Them
What is the hardest and easiest boss in prodigy? | Fandom
Scheelzien, volwassenen - Alrijne Ziekenhuis
Minooka Channahon Patch
Craigslist Pets Longview Tx
Occupational therapist
Paris 2024: Kellie Harrington has 'no more mountains' as double Olympic champion retires
Brgeneral Patient Portal
Northern Whooping Crane Festival highlights conservation and collaboration in Fort Smith, N.W.T. | CBC News
Mndot Road Closures
Smokeland West Warwick
Anki Fsrs
อพาร์ทเมนต์ 2 ห้องนอนในเกาะโคเปนเฮเกน
Washington Poe en Tilly Bradshaw 1 - Brandoffer, M.W. Craven | 9789024594917 | Boeken | bol
Premier Reward Token Rs3
Moonshiner Tyler Wood Net Worth
Craigslist Farm And Garden Tallahassee Florida
Price Of Gas At Sam's
Vanessa West Tripod Jeffrey Dahmer
Who called you from +19192464227 (9192464227): 5 reviews
Unterwegs im autonomen Freightliner Cascadia: Finger weg, jetzt fahre ich!
Copart Atlanta South Ga
Joann Ally Employee Portal
Jet Ski Rental Conneaut Lake Pa
Tyler Sis University City
Hdmovie2 Sbs
Busted News Bowie County
Www.dunkinbaskinrunsonyou.con
Employee Health Upmc
Home
Regina Perrow
Studentvue Calexico
Craigslist Northern Minnesota
Striffler-Hamby Mortuary - Phenix City Obituaries
Himekishi Ga Classmate Raw
J&R Cycle Villa Park
Armor Crushing Weapon Crossword Clue
Citibank Branch Locations In Orlando Florida
Rvtrader Com Florida
Composite Function Calculator + Online Solver With Free Steps
Goodwill Houston Select Stores Photos
School Tool / School Tool Parent Portal
Leatherwall Ll Classifieds
Finland’s Satanic Warmaster’s Werwolf Discusses His Projects
Bernie Platt, former Cherry Hill mayor and funeral home magnate, has died at 90
Reese Witherspoon Wiki
How to Print Tables in R with Examples Using table()
John Wick: Kapitel 4 (2023)
Random Warzone 2 Loadout Generator
Aspen.sprout Forum
Elizabethtown Mesothelioma Legal Question
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 6369

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.