Using insurance at Maxwell Massage

Out-of-network insurance

If your insurance comes through work, a marketplace plan, or another commercial plan, we are out of network. You pay at the visit, we provide a Superbill, and you submit the claim to your insurer.

Plans we commonly see

The following plans commonly have out-of-network massage benefits our clients use:

• Regence BlueShield (employer PPO plans)
• Premera
• Aetna
• Kaiser (PPO-line plans)
• First Choice (and any plan on the First Choice network)

Your plan may still include out-of-network benefits even if it is not listed. Check directly with your insurer before booking.

How to use a Superbill

1. Check your plan. Ask about out-of-network massage benefits and the documents your insurer requires for a claim.
2. Pay at your visit. Cash, card, FSA, and HSA funds are accepted.
3. Request a Superbill. We will provide the itemized receipt you need for your claim.
4. File your claim. Submit the Superbill through your insurer's out-of-network claim process.
5. Receive reimbursement. Your insurance company determines whether it accepts the claim and how much it reimburses.

Does your insurance cover massage? Plan-by-plan answers

The short answers for the plans we are asked about most, for massage therapy in Washington state.

Does L&I cover massage therapy?

Yes. Washington L&I covers massage therapy for open workers’-compensation claims, and our therapists are L&I providers — we bill L&I directly and you pay nothing at your visit. Details on our workers’ comp page.

Does car insurance (PIP) cover massage?

Yes. Personal Injury Protection on a Washington auto policy covers massage therapy after an accident, no matter who was at fault, and we bill your auto insurer directly. Details on our auto injury page.

Does the VA cover massage?

Yes, for eligible veterans through VA Community Care, billed directly — you pay nothing at your visit. Details on our veterans page.

Does Regence BlueShield cover massage in Washington?

Many Regence employer PPO plans include out-of-network rehabilitation benefits that can reimburse medically necessary massage, usually with a prescription, a deductible, and visit limits. Two exceptions worth knowing: Regence individual and exchange plans generally cover no out-of-network care, and Blue Cross Federal Employee plans do not cover massage therapy at all. Check which plan you have before you count on reimbursement.

Does Premera cover massage in Washington?

Most Premera plans are PPOs with out-of-network benefits, and massage is a standard covered category. You will need a prescription with a diagnosis on file, reimbursement runs at the out-of-network rate after your deductible, and visits usually count against a combined limit shared with chiropractic and acupuncture.

Does Aetna cover massage in Washington?

Aetna PPO and POS plans include out-of-network benefits, but Aetna's clinical policy covers massage mainly as part of a physical-therapy plan of care with a prescription. Standalone massage claims are often denied, so ask your plan how it treats massage billed by a licensed massage therapist before you book.

Does Kaiser cover massage in Washington?

Most Kaiser Permanente Washington plans (Core HMO, SoundChoice) cover only Kaiser's own network, so an out-of-network Superbill generally is not reimbursable. If you have Kaiser's Access PPO, Dual Choice PPO, or PPO Plus, you can see any licensed massage therapist and submit our Superbill, subject to visit limits. Your member card says which plan you have.

Does First Choice cover massage in Washington?

First Choice Health is a provider network used by many Northwest employer plans rather than an insurer itself. Most plans built on it are PPO-style with out-of-network benefits, but whether massage is covered, and at what rate, comes from your employer's plan document - call the member services number on your card.