workers comp and no fault law for massage therapists compenstion in new york

November 23, 2008 on 6:56 am | In mybachcars.com |
workers comp and no fault law for massage therapists compenstion in new york
  • need workers comp and no fault law regulations regarding coverage for massage therapy in new york state. Need to know how to be able to bill for treatments for massage, any limitations in regards to massage, how to bill for and receive payments under WCB and NF. Also need average payments under WCB and NF for massage therapy rendered by a massage therapist.


  • Hello - The policies of Workers Compensation and No Fault are discussed below. Please don't hesitate to request further clarification on this information. Thank you! Worker's Compensation Policy --------------------------------------------- Worker's compensation does not recognize stand-alone massage therapists or accupuncturists. One must be a medical doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist to receive compensation for massage therapy through NYS worker's compensation provisions. If you do qualify to receive payment from worker's comp, all billing is handled through the employer's insurance company. The only contact the massage therapist should have is through the mailing of a copy of the patient's report to the appropriate WCB office for recordkeeping. Everything else is transparent to the practitioner. For more information, contact Theresa at the WCB Health Providers Administration Office, 518-402-6187 Worker's Compensation Website NYS http://www.wcb.state.ny.us/ No Fault Policy --------------------------------------- No Fault Insurance DOES does have provisions for massage therapy. No special authorization is needed; you must be a licensed massage therapist. There are three different ways for billing under No Fault -- one of which is to just bill your client directly, and have them be reimbursed by No Fault. The different ways of billing for the work are discussed here: http://www.ins.state.ny.us/rg030218.htm Read more about No Fault here; the first 3 links are the regulations: http://www.ins.state.ny.us/r68_link.htm To find the "going rate" for massage therapists under No Fault law, you'll need to obtain a copy of Workers Compensation Board "Physical Medicine Fee Schedule", available from Ingenix: Ingenix 877-464-3649 No Fault uses this WCB fee schedule. "Physical medicine" code 97124 might be the one to look at first. For more information, contact Chris at the No Fault line: Chris 212-480-5592 Search strategy: WCB and NYS Insurance offices


  • So as a physician I can bill for a massage therapist's work so long as it is medically necessary and prescribed by a MD or chitopracter? Do I bill under a physical therapist code? Would I have to be on the premises in order to bill or is it viewed as an incidental service? Thanks, Eric Dohner, MD


  • For Workers' Compensation cases, a WCB-authorized medical doctor can bill for the work of a message therapist or physical therapist if under your supervision. According to ground rule 11 in the workers' compensation medical fee schedule, "supervision" is defined as such: "Must be present in the office suite and immediately available to provide assistance and direction throughout the time services are performed." With regards to billing -- yes, you would bill under the PT code. With No Fault, you have more freedom, since stand-alone massage (off-site) therapy is directly supported with no authorization needed. Please feel free to ask for any additional clarification before rating this answer. Thank you, jbf777