Does Medicare Cover Massage Therapy?
Key Takeaways
- Massage therapy is a clinical treatment aimed at specific medical conditions like neck/knee pain, fibromyalgia, and anxiety, and differs from traditional massage in both purpose and setting.
- Original Medicare does not cover massage therapy, though it may cover physical therapy that includes massage elements; any massage billed separately is not covered.
- Medicare Advantage plans may offer more coverage, but benefits vary by plan and provider, so individuals should check their specific plan details.
- Alternative Medicare-covered treatments for similar conditions include physical therapy, acupuncture (for chronic back pain), chiropractic care, and occupational therapy.
Does Medicare cover massage therapy? The answer is no; Original Medicare does not cover massage therapy. It covers medically necessary physical therapy, which may sometimes involve massage. However, if the massage service is billed separately, Medicare will not cover it.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits beyond Original Medicare. However, benefits vary among Medicare Advantage plans, so check your plan’s coverage details for information on massage therapy. Keep reading to learn about your coverage options for massage if you have Medicare or Medicare Advantage.
What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy differs from traditional massage. It treats a medical condition rather than offering general relief. A massage therapist manipulates the body’s soft tissues to help relieve tension, release stress, help injuries heal, and support overall wellness.
What Does Massage Therapy Treat?
Research shows that massage therapy can provide short-term or long-term benefits for:
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Knee pain for patients with osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Anxiety, depression, and quality of life for HIV/AIDS patients
Massage Therapy vs. Traditional Massage
Massage therapy differs from traditional massage in that therapeutic massages target deeper muscle groups. Massage therapy also typically focuses on a specific injury or condition.
A licensed massage therapist performs therapeutic massage in a clinical setting, whereas a masseuse may perform traditional massage in a spa or another non-clinical environment.
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How Medicare Advantage Covers Massage Therapy
Original Medicare does not cover massage therapy. Original Medicare may cover treatments that incorporate massage, such as physical therapy, but if any portion of the treatment is billed as a massage-specific service, Medicare will not help pay for it.
Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, offers all the same benefits as Original Medicare, and some plans provide additional coverage. Private insurers manage Medicare Advantage plans. Exact benefits vary based on each plan’s provider and region.
Are Massage Chairs Covered by Medicare?
Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME), which is health-related equipment that helps people with their day-to-day activities. Massage chairs are not considered DME, so Medicare does not cover them. Examples of covered DME include:
- Wheelchairs
- Crutches
- Blood glucose monitors
- Walkers
- Hospital beds
- Portable oxygen equipment
Though Medicare Advantage plans tend to offer more benefits than Original Medicare, they generally do not cover massage chairs either.
Other Benefits To Consider
If you have chronic pain or certain long-term conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, or HIV/AIDS, massage therapy may provide some relief. If you cannot get coverage for massage therapy through Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, consider a related Medicare-covered benefit:
- Physical therapy: Medicare Part B covers physical therapy when your doctor orders it as treatment for a condition or an injury.
- Acupuncture: Medicare Part B helps pay for up to 12 acupuncture treatments in a 90-day period to treat chronic lower back pain. If the acupuncture is effective and your lower back pain improves, Medicare may cover another eight sessions. If the initial series of treatments does not result in improvement, Medicare will not cover additional treatments. You can get up to 20 acupuncture sessions covered per year.
- Chiropractic services: Medicare Part B covers chiropractic services to treat vertebral subluxation, which occurs when spinal joints cannot move properly but remain in contact with each other.
- Occupational therapy: Medicare Part B helps cover occupational therapy services when a doctor certifies them as medically necessary. Occupational therapy helps patients perform daily living activities, such as getting dressed or bathing, to slow down or stop functional decline.
Putting It All Together
Massage therapy can provide relief from pain and discomfort related to fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, a neck or shoulder injury, or other chronic health conditions. Though Original Medicare does not offer coverage for massage therapy, some Medicare Advantage plans provide additional benefits beyond Original Medicare.
Sources
- Massage therapy. Medicare.gov
- Massage Therapy for Health: What the Science Says. NIH.gov