Rx How To’s

By B.J. Erkan, L.M.P.

Referring physicians often ask me how to fill out a prescription for massage. There are several issues to consider when writing a script for massage. The primary concern is what will best benefit the patient. The secondary is: what does the patient’s insurance company require to cover the treatment? The most important points for insurance carriers are treatment frequency and duration, and diagnosis codes.

A Patient Progress Report will always be provided to the referring physician once the prescribed round of treatments has been completed. We will always treat in accordance with the referring provider’s written treatment plan.

We have developed the following treatment recommendations based on our experience in treating a wide variety of conditions, as well as in dealing with the various insuring entities. With each treatment plan it is desirable to render enough treatments for the patient to experience measurable improvement, and to provide the flexibility needed for the patient to complete the treatment within a reasonable time frame and according to the patient’s schedule.

What Kind of Case Is it?

A) Motor Vehicle Collision: 1-2 txs/wk for 6 weeks and re-eval or refer for an Initial Evaluation and request recommendation. If the case is a very serious injury and we feel the patient could benefit from a more aggressive treatment plan we will request greater frequency and state our reasons to justify the request.

B) Labor and Industry: 6 txs (L&I allows only 6 txs and expects 6 txs per Rx) and re-eval. No time frame needed.

C) Major Medical Insurance (this truly depends upon which insurance company we are dealing with, but usually the following will work: 1-2txs/wk for 8wks; your own referral coordinator may be of help. We would be happy to make this list more exhaustive if you request it.