Massage Parlor Reports

My employer provides me with very generous and comprehensive health insurance. And today, while reviewing my health insurance coverage, I found out that "spinal, and joint manipulation....[and] soft tissue manipulation including massage" is covered by my insurance.

Now, some of the AMP's have very legit-sounding names, like Fairfax Therapy, or Virginia Therapeutic, and a lot of the therapists are actually certified massage therapists. So, I had this crazy idea, of trying to request reimbursement for my therapy costs from my health insurer. Of course, I would need a receipt, and/or proof that I received the treatment from the AMP management, which could be a problem since there seems to be no records/paper trail kept in most AMPs, but there is an AMP where I am very trusted, and I may be able to talk them into giving me proof of treatment/receipt. Now, I don't know if this will work, but I'll do a little more research, and give it a try.

Anyone ever tried this before?

I am a moderately frequent monger and recently came down with a case of the scabies.

Because I frequent a couple different establishments, I'm not sure exactly where I became infested.

What I am sure of is scabies is a real embarrassment, requires prescription medication and easily spreads between people.

In an attempt to identify if this was an isolated occurrence or if it is a problem we all need to be aware of, please PM me any recent infestations you have had & I will summarize any results and post here.

Needless to say this has slowed down my activities but I would like to identify the location(s) to avoid and get back to business.

Thanks for the help!

[QUOTE=Alpha D]Did you go to Backlick Holistic? I know the place intimately. While there is a Suzie who works there, she is not 40 and there is no TS. It is a self-serve stand-up shower.

Next time, don't ad lib. It'll ruin any credit you have here.

AD[/QUOTE]I have seen her at Swan & Honto as well. My description of events was a combination of a 1/2 dozen visits. The Susie or Susan I know is about 40. The one Backlick Holistic at 5105 M Backlick has a TS. The one across the P/L does not.

I apoligize for not being clear.

[QUOTE=The Nub]...need a receipt, and/or proof that I received the treatment...[/QUOTE]

Getting a receipt from an AMP that actually has licenses hanging from the walls may not be hard to do, especially if they take credit cards. But don't get the cart before the horse.

Thanks to Hil Clinton, you will probably need a referral (double entendre) before you can visit your AMP. Unless the referring physician knows and approves the provider (double entendre), then you will have a hard time explaining why he sent you one direction and you wound up in another.


AD

[QUOTE=The Nub]My employer provides me with very generous and comprehensive health insurance. And today, while reviewing my health insurance coverage, I found out that "spinal, and joint manipulation....[and] soft tissue manipulation including massage" is covered by my insurance.

Now, some of the AMP's have very legit-sounding names, like Fairfax Therapy, or Virginia Therapeutic, and a lot of the therapists are actually certified massage therapists. So, I had this crazy idea, of trying to request reimbursement for my therapy costs from my health insurer. Of course, I would need a receipt, and/or proof that I received the treatment from the AMP management, which could be a problem since there seems to be no records/paper trail kept in most AMPs, but there is an AMP where I am very trusted, and I may be able to talk them into giving me proof of treatment/receipt. Now, I don't know if this will work, but I'll do a little more research, and give it a try.

Anyone ever tried this before?[/QUOTE]

I would suggest thinking this through a little more.

[QUOTE=Alpha D]Getting a receipt from an AMP that actually has licenses hanging from the walls may not be hard to do, especially if they take credit cards. But don't get the cart before the horse.

Thanks to Hil Clinton, you will probably need a referral (double entendre) before you can visit your AMP. Unless the referring physician knows and approves the provider (double entendre), then you will have a hard time explaining why he sent you one direction and you wound up in another.


AD[/QUOTE]

The wonderful thing about my insurance is that I do not need any type of referrals to seek any type of treatment, even if it's treatment form an specialist. Also, I've read a little more about my insurance policy, and I can get treatment from any type of "provider" (Doctor, specialist, or any licensed therapist), as long as they are licensed in the state of VA.

My insurance covers massage, without referral, but it has to be provided by a licensed therapist. The contract clearly states "a referral is never needed." So, I am pretty sure that as long as the therapist is licensed, I am not breaking any rules.

I still have more reading and research to do, so I don't plan on trying this until I feel confident I'm not breaking any rules.

Insurance companies have armies of lawyers on staff and insurance fraud is a federal crime, I believe. Remember, it doesn't matter if what you did is "right" or not, it only matters if twelve people think you committed fraud or not.

[QUOTE=The Nub]The wonderful thing about my insurance is that I do not need any type of referrals to seek any type of treatment, even if it's treatment form an specialist. Also, I've read a little more about my insurance policy, and I can get treatment from any type of "provider" (Doctor, specialist, or any licensed therapist), as long as they are licensed in the state of VA.

My insurance covers massage, without referral, but it has to be provided by a licensed therapist. The contract clearly states "a referral is never needed." So, I am pretty sure that as long as the therapist is licensed, I am not breaking any rules.

I still have more reading and research to do, so I don't plan on trying this until I feel confident I'm not breaking any rules.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Max Beelyun]Insurance companies have armies of lawyers on staff and insurance fraud is a federal crime, I believe. Remember, it doesn't matter if what you did is "right" or not, it only matters if twelve people think you committed fraud or not.[/QUOTE]

I'm no lawyer, but I don't see how this could ever be considered fraud. I will be filing a claim for a covered service (massage therapy), that I will truely receive, from a licensed/certified massage therapists. The policy clearly states that massage from a licensed/certified therapist is covered. So, as long as the therapists is licensed, and I really receive the therapy, this is in no way any type of fraud. Now, of course, tips come from my pocket. The insurance only covers the massage.

I could go into a chiropractor's office, and receive the same treatment from one of their certified massage therapists too. There is no difference.

I think you can deduct the massage fee if you are referred by your doctor. All you have to do is say I have back issues..blah blah blah.. Can I go here.. ok cool. Get your receipt but do not write off your tip.

Remember the place must have certified VA license to do this.

Either way seems like a bad idea. It's a surefire way to bring in unwanted attention to the AMPs and guess who investigates insurance fraud in VA? The state police!

[QUOTE=The Nub]My employer provides me with very generous and comprehensive health insurance. And today, while reviewing my health insurance coverage, I found out that "spinal, and joint manipulation. [and] soft tissue manipulation including massage" is covered by my insurance.[/QUOTE]Be careful. I would guess that your policy says something about "medical necessity. " You might not need a referral, but you might need a note from your physician to the effect that massage therapy would be helpful for your, uh, stiff joint. Or whatever other condition you come up with. Imagine if you had a massage every day and submitted your bills as medical claims. Your insurer would almost certainly object (. Or jack up your employer's premiums, and then your employer would object), and what do you suppose they'd argue when they deny your claim?

Went to see our friends at K*** just outside the beltway.

All the usual good things about the place (and unlike some places mentioned recently, this place uses lots of clean towels. I see them come from the washer and dryer on every visit. And they are generous with the towels)

Therapist was Loo. A quiet and quite pretty and tall lady who does not encourage any roaming.

I was very surprised by how busy it was for a Tuesday afternoon. Maybe the level of busy-ness had stressed the ladies a little, because this visit was just "OK". Details below, but truth be told, I found this to be a very atypical visit (not anywhere near the usual level of positive energy and enjoyment). There was nothing to really complain about. There was just no connection between me and Loo (and the lack of engagement made the visit "just OK")

The TS was "OK" -- actually a little better than OK as she at least used lots of soap, and that always feels good. (7.5/10)
The hot towels were hot, and the back work was OK (7/10)
The back-walking was OK (7/10)
The leg work was OK (7/10)
The shoulder/arm work was passible. (6/10)
The flip was OK (but very mechanical) (5/10)
I felt like there was a rush to get me out the door and back to my car (4/10 for how it made me feel -- but the time was actually more than 50-minutes, which although short of the requested hour was close enough to not generate a complaint from me)

Standard rate for the hour, and for "OK" visit - standard tip with no embellishment nor appology (and, as always, no one checked the tip while I was in the room and there was no drama leaving)

Departure -- actually it was the friendliest part with "thanks," and "come see me again soon" (8/10)

What was missing -- no smiles, no encouragement to enjoy, no connection. It had been quite some time since I had been on Loo's table. Now I remember why.

YMMV -- and be nice to the ladies.

PA

I'm no lawyer either, but I do know it doesn't matter what you think. What matters is what the police, the insurance company, and a jury of your peers think. You're asking for trouble. As a rule of thumb, you want to stay as far away from the legal system as possible, period. Read the intro of the book "You are Going to Prison" by Jim Hogshire.

[QUOTE=The Nub]I'm no lawyer, but I don't see how this could ever be considered fraud. I will be filing a claim for a covered service (massage therapy), that I will truely receive, from a licensed/certified massage therapists. The policy clearly states that massage from a licensed/certified therapist is covered. So, as long as the therapists is licensed, and I really receive the therapy, this is in no way any type of fraud. Now, of course, tips come from my pocket. The insurance only covers the massage.

I could go into a chiropractor's office, and receive the same treatment from one of their certified massage therapists too. There is no difference.[/QUOTE]

What would the co-payment be for a BBBJ?

JJ

[QUOTE=Max Beelyun]I'm no lawyer either, but I do know it doesn't matter what you think. What matters is what the police, the insurance company, and a jury of your peers think. You're asking for trouble. As a rule of thumb, you want to stay as far away from the legal system as possible, period. Read the intro of the book "You are Going to Prison" by Jim Hogshire.[/QUOTE]

Why is this topic even being discussed?? This is a cash business. If you seriously think using insurance is a good idea then you really need to pick up another hobby, perhaps skydiving. Hopefully you'll be as bad at that hobby as you are at this one.