Massage covered by BCBS

[Anonymous]

I have hip bursitis and other issues being treated by PT, but I really need massage to the surrounding muscles. Where can I get this covered by insurance?

[Anonymous]

You can find a PT that does massage or other hands-on techniques.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can find a PT that does massage or other hands-on techniques.

This was my suggestion, too, though the massages i get for a similar condition at my PT are more like 15-20 minutes, plus heat and electrical stimulation, not like a full 60-90 minutes on the table that you get at a dedicated massage place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find a PT that does massage or other hands-on techniques.

This was my suggestion, too, though the massages i get for a similar condition at my PT are more like 15-20 minutes, plus heat and electrical stimulation, not like a full 60-90 minutes on the table that you get at a dedicated massage place.

This is OP. Right, I have only had one session with the PT so far, and he hasn't done any of this. Hopefully he will. But I've heard of others having full massages covered by insurance which is why I asked here.

[Anonymous]

I used to go to PT that only did exercises, no hands on stuff, and I thought all PT was that way. I'm glad I found one who did massage in addition to coping, dry being, and lots of other hands on work. It's worth seeking this out if you're at one that mainly does exercise assignments.

I have BCBS but have not found a masseuse who takes insurance but will follow this thread in case anyone does. Have you called BCBS to ask about that benefit?

[Anonymous]

It's not covered on our plan. At all unless they sneak it in as "manual therapy during pt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find a PT that does massage or other hands-on techniques.

This was my suggestion, too, though the massages i get for a similar condition at my PT are more like 15-20 minutes, plus heat and electrical stimulation, not like a full 60-90 minutes on the table that you get at a dedicated massage place.

the “dedicated massage place” isn’t doing much informed treatment. If you want massage as a medical treatment it’s going to be the kind where the PT jams their elbow into trigger points, not a comfy 90 min rub with essential oils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find a PT that does massage or other hands-on techniques.

This was my suggestion, too, though the massages i get for a similar condition at my PT are more like 15-20 minutes, plus heat and electrical stimulation, not like a full 60-90 minutes on the table that you get at a dedicated massage place.

the “dedicated massage place” isn’t doing much informed treatment. If you want massage as a medical treatment it’s going to be the kind where the PT jams their elbow into trigger points, not a comfy 90 min rub with essential oils.

Op here and I had my second PT appointment and that’s exactly what he did - jammed his fingers into my hip while I moved my leg up and down. Hurt like hell, and not the “hurt so good” of a good massage. At all.

[Anonymous]

You can learn to massage the greater trochanter yourself.

[Anonymous]

You can get a medical massage and use your flexible spending. That's what I do. Not free per say but discounted.

[Anonymous]

I am the PP. It depends what your coverage is and sometimes what state you are in. Friends in CA and NY were getting massages covered.

[Anonymous]

Insurance companies have become very focused on reducing PT costs. As such, they deny any therapy that isn’t evidence-based. It’s not that massage may not help; the issue is that we don’t have a large volume of data that suggests it leads to long-term improvements in measurable outcomes like level of disability, range of motion, pain scales. Having done many rounds of PT under different insurers (Cigna, United, BCBS, Aetna), I’ve never had a plan that covers massage.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried foam rolling, especially your outer thighs?