Posted by Marlene Mayman on Oct 4, 2015 
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It’s open enrollment for many people’s health insurance and other health care coverage. If this includes you, now is the time to consider how you can get your massage therapy covered.
There are numerous possible ways to lessen your costs, described below.

• Health Insurance
  • Do you take my health insurance?
  • Does my health insurance cover massage?
  • Getting a doctor’s prescription for massage
  • Open enrollment, health insurance options and guidance
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)
  • Is massage therapy covered for my physical / mental health issue?
  • How to get approval for massage therapy
  • Open enrollment and allotments
• Where to Get Advice
  • IRS rules
  • Insurance and HSAs
  • Taxes and health costs
• New Client Discount

Health InsuranceDo you take my health insurance?As with most massage businesses not affiliated with a doctor, Frederick Massage Therapy does not take insurance (process claims). But all is not lost!
Please review your current health care coverage (see below) to learn whether you can request reimbursement for massage therapy services. If you’re in luck and you have massage coverage, keep reading for info on getting a massage prescription from your doctor.
If massage isn’t covered, when you’re renewing your health insurance coverage consider other options, plans and insurance companies that may reimburse therapeutic massage.
Need a detailed receipt for your massage services to submit to your insurance company? Let me know and I will provide one with the proper CPT codes, my NPI number and other pertinent information. If you were in an accident and are working with a lawyer, I can also provide notes on your massage sessions as needed.
Does my health insurance cover massage?Unfortunately, I am not qualified to answer this question. Please check with your insurance company or HR department for your plan’s coverage and terms. Sometimes massage is only covered if it is performed as part of a physical therapy session and not by a massage therapist (go figure!), so ask about that too.
Getting a doctor’s prescription for massageIf massage is covered, the next thing you will need is a doctor’s prescription for massage therapy. This prescription must come from your health professional, as long as s/he is a medical doctor (MD), chiropractor (DC), naturopath (ND), dentist (DD, DMD, DDS) or osteopath (DO), among numerous others, including psychiatrists. As long as your health care practitioner can legally diagnose, prescribe treatments or medications, and have a “D” in their title, you’re good to go. (Your massage therapist cannot write a prescription because s/he cannot legally diagnose and is not a doctor.) 
Most doctors are not pain specialists (unless that’s their practice focus), so many only know how to address pain with medication, surgery or by referring to a specialist. Your doctor may not know how massage can benefit you. Before making an appointment, look up some published research, cases studies or other credible information about how massage has helped people with a similar health issue. Sources for research: PubMed, IJTMB, Google Scholar. Also helpful to know ahead of time: where you plan to get your massage therapy. A massage clinic or massage therapist that specializes in medical massage techniques, or is affiliated with a doctor (such as a chiropractor), will look better than selecting a day spa.

If you are already seeing a doctor about your condition, call and ask for a massage prescription. If you haven’t seen a doctor, you will need to get examined and then request the prescription. Your doctor is likely to offer medication before massage, so you may have to bring massage up directly. Be ready to share your research on how massage helps conditions like yours.
Your massage prescription will need the following information:

1. Medical necessity: why you need massage therapy (example: to relieve back pain)
2. Frequency: number of sessions per month (example: minimum of two sessions per month)
3. Duration: length of treatment (example: 3,6,9,12 months)

Fax your prescription—with a cover sheet for Frederick Massage Therapy—to (301) 898-2529 or hand-carry the prescription to your appointment. Keep a copy of your prescription in a safe place that you can locate if needed.
If your insurance covers massage and your doctor won’t prescribe it, consider getting a second opinion.
If it’s helpful for your doctor:
How to Prescribe Medical Massage (A Guide for Physicians)
How to Work With a Licensed Massage Therapist (A Guide for Physicians)
Open enrollment, health insurance options and guidanceSome health insurance plans do not cover massage therapy, others do. During open enrollment, investigate your plan options and other plans available to you. Some employers or health insurance companies offer a complimentary and alternative medicine add-on to health insurance, so look into that too.
You can also speak with a health insurance broker to learn which plans with several insurance companies may be worth considering. Working with a professional can save you time and help steer you to a more optimal situation, hopefully both in coverage and cost.


Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs)
Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs)
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)Is massage therapy covered for my physical / mental health issue?The IRS states, “Medical expenses are the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body. These expenses include payments for legal medical services rendered by physicians, surgeons, dentists, and other medical practitioners. They include the costs of equipment, supplies, and diagnostic devices needed for these purposes. Medical care expenses must be primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental defect or illness. They do not include expenses that are merely beneficial to general health, such as vitamins or a vacation.”
For you, this means that if you are suffering from a specific physical health issue (such as pain or movement issues, etc.) or a mental health issue (such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, etc.), therapeutic massage may be covered under your benefits.
Wish you had access to a Health Savings Account but your employer doesn’t offer them? You can sign up for one as an individual. See Insurance and HSAs below.
How to get approval for massage therapySet up an appointment with your medical doctor and let them know that you have HSA, FSA, MSA or HRA funds that you would like to use for massage therapy for treatment/prevention of your condition.
If your physician is not sure about the benefits of massage for your condition, research massage for your condition and share the information with your doctor (see box above).
If your physician agrees to write a prescription, they will need to provide three pieces of information:

1. Medical necessity: why you need massage therapy (example: to relieve back pain)
2. Frequency: number of sessions per month (example: minimum of two sessions per month)
3. Duration: length of treatment (example: 3,6,9,12 months)

Be certain that you are getting the correct prescription/documentation in order to use your benefit funds. For example, sometimes a doctor must provide a Letter of Medical Necessity on a standardized form or on the doctor’s letterhead. Check with your employer, the appropriate department is usually human resources since they administer benefits for employees. If they can’t answer your question, they should be able to direct you to the administrator of your benefit plan. Be sure that massage (with prescription) will be covered before you make your massage appointment, so that you are not responsible for paying out of pocket or taking a tax hit.
Once you have the prescription you can set up an appointment for massage. Keep the prescription in a safe place in case you need to provide documentation. Bring your HSA, FSA, MSA or HRA card with you to your appointment. (NOTE: You cannot put tips to the therapist on your benefit card.)
Open enrollment and allotmentsDuring the fourth quarter is when many people designate how much money to set aside in their HSA, FSA, MSA or HRA fund for the next year. In your financial planning, don’t forget to include the cost of your massage visits in the total amount. You also can set aside money for massage therapy for a spouse or child, if he or she has a qualifying medical condition.

Thai Nguyen

From Entrepreneur Network
Writer, Content Strategist, TheUtopianLife.com

August 4, 2016 This story originally appeared on Entrepreneur Network Happy people get more work done. You might not have a money tree, but you can have the next best thing: a happiness tree. Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins are the quartet responsible for your motivation, productivity and happiness. Many situations can trigger these neurotransmitters, but instead of being in the passenger seat, there are ways you can intentionally cause them to flow:
1. Dopamine.Dopamine motivates you to take action toward your goals and gives you a surge of reinforcing pleasure when achieving them. Procrastination, self-doubt and lack of enthusiasm are linked with low levels of dopamine. Studies on rats showed those with low levels of dopamine always opted for an easier option and less reward; those with higher levels of dopamine exerted the effort needed to receive double the amount of food.
Break down big goals into little pieces. Rather than allowing your brain to celebrate only when you’ve hit the big finish line, you can create a series of little finish lines for frequent dopamine release. It’s crucial to actually celebrate. Buy a bottle of wine or head to your favorite restaurant whenever you meet a small goal. And avoid the dopamine hangover, when you slump after a massive high. 
Create new goals before achieving your current one. That ensures a consistent pattern for experiencing dopamine. As an employer and leader, recognize the accomplishments of your team. Sending your team an encouraging email or giving a small bonus is a “dopamine hit” that will increase future motivation and productivity.
2. Serotonin.Serotonin flows when you feel significant or important. Loneliness and depression are present when serotonin is absent. Unhealthy attention-seeking behaviors are a cry for what serotonin provides. Princeton neuroscientist Barry Jacobs explains that most antidepressants focus on the production of serotonin.
Reflecting on a past achievement allows your brain to relive the experience. Your brain has trouble telling the difference between what is real and what is imagined, so it produces serotonin in both cases. Gratitude practices are popular for this reason. They are reminders -- mental pictures -- of all of the good things you’ve experienced. If you need a serotonin boost during a stressful day, take a few moments to reflect on your past achievements and victories. As a leader, you can boost your company's morale by reflecting on past achievements during team meetings. 
Another way to boost your serotonin levels is to have lunch or coffee outside and expose yourself to the sun for 20 minutes. Your skin absorbs ultraviolet rays, which promotes Vitamin D and serotonin production. Although too much ultraviolet light isn’t good, some daily exposure is healthy for boosting your serotonin levels.
3. Oxytocin.The release of oxytocin creates trust and strengthens relationships. It’s released by men and women during intimacy and orgasm and by mothers during childbirth and breastfeeding. It's often referred to as “the cuddle hormone.” A simple way to keep oxytocin flowing is to give someone a hug. Of course, in a professional setting, you need to be wise and discern when this would be appropriate. 
Dr. Paul Zak explains that interpersonal touch not only raises oxytocin, but also reduces cardiovascular stress and improves the immune system. Rather than just a handshake, go in for the hug. Dr. Zak recommends eight hugs each day.
Giving someone a gift will also cause their oxytocin levels to rise. You can strengthen work and personal relationships through a simple birthday or anniversary gift.
4. Endorphins.Endorphins are released in response to pain and stress, and they help to alleviate anxiety. The surging “second wind” and euphoric “runner's high” when running are a result of endorphins. Similar to morphine, endorphins act as an analgesic and sedative, diminishing your perception of pain.
Along with exercise, laughter is one of the easiest ways to induce endorphin release. Even the anticipation and expectation of laugher, e.g. attending a comedy show, increases levels of endorphins. Taking your sense of humor to work, forwarding that funny email and finding several things to laugh at during the day are great ways to keep your endorphins flowing.
Aromatherapy, particularly the scent of vanilla and lavender, has been linked with the production of endorphins. Studies have shown that dark chocolate and spicy foods will also cause your brain to release endorphins. Keep some scented oils and dark chocolate at your desk for a quick endorphin boost.