Using Insurance at Dreamclinic

Starting November 1, 2023, Dreamclinic will not be accepting new health insurance clients until February 15, 2024. During this time, you are invited to submit your health insurance information here and schedule visits as an out-of-pocket client. Medical invoices can be provided should you choose to self-bill.* New health insurance plan information will be reviewed and confirmed after February 15, 2024.

*Coverage or reimbursement from your personal health insurance plan is not guaranteed.

Patients with PIP and L&I claims may still submit and be confirmed for treatment during this time. This is because these insurance claims are specific for either automobile or workplace injuries, are short-term, and are not health insurance that resets annually.

We accept the following Health Insurance plans on an In-Network basis:

First Choice
Any Insurance Company that uses the First Choice Network

We accept the following Health Insurance plans on an Out-of-Network basis:

Regence BlueShield (includes many Federal Employee plans and BlueCross BlueShield)
Premera
Kaiser
Cigna

We also see clients who have Personal Auto Injury Protection Claims (PIP) or L&I (on-the-job) injuries.

If you have a carrier that is not listed above, and if you have out-of-network benefits associated with your plan, you may have coverage for our services. You are encouraged to submit your insurance information through our online form (located under Step 1) and we will be happy to check. Benefit confirmation can take up to 7-14 business days depending on your plan.

To use your health insurance

Please follow these steps to schedule Medical Massage and/or Acupuncture at Dreamclinic using health insurance:

1. Before Making an Appointment – Get your specific massage and acupuncture benefits confirmed by Dreamclinic

When you decide to come in for medical massage or acupuncture, you must submit your insurance information here, PIP claim here, or L&I claim here so that your benefits can be confirmed. Your insurance will not be billed for any visits until this process is completed and you will be responsible for the cost in full at time of service or a cancellation fee of $85. Please provide your legal name and date of birth, the name of your insurance carrier, your Member ID number (including any letters), your Group number, and the Provider Services, Provider Eligibility, or Provider Call Number located on the back of your insurance ID card.

We must confirm your benefits in advance to ensure that your insurance will cover your treatments. There are no exceptions to this policy.

**2. For Medical Massage*, Have a Prescription or Referral? (two different words for the same thing)**

Get a prescription or referral for massage therapy* from your doctor, chiropractor or other medical professional licensed by the State of Washington to diagnose physical ailments. A valid prescription must be on file before your treatment begins in order to bill your insurance company. Your prescription can be faxed to us directly via our secure fax, (206) 267-0814 or emailed to [email protected]. If you do not provide us with a valid prescription prior to your first visit, you will be responsible for the entire cost of your visit.

Information required for a valid prescription or referral includes all of the following:

Client Name
Clinic/Facility Name
Start and End date
Diagnosis codes or area of treatment
Number of visits and/or frequency
Provider Name and physical or electronic signature

*Most acupuncture treatments do not require a prescription or referral with the exception of PIP claims. However, any information available to your licensed acupuncturist will aid in your treatment.

3. Schedule Your First Appointment

Once we confirm your benefits (which can take 7-14 business days), we will contact you with the details. At that time, if we have received a valid prescription, you are free to schedule appointments over the phone or online (PIP and L&I clients must call). When scheduling online, be sure to select the correct appointment type to ensure that the practitioner is covered under your particular insurance plan. If you are unsure, do not hesitate to call or text our team at (206) 267-0863 for assistance.

4. In Preparation For Your First Visit

Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to your first insurance visit to complete the needed paperwork. This is true even if you have been seen previously as a cash client. If you prefer to complete and print this paperwork ahead of time, you can find it here. You can also email it to [email protected]. At check-in, you will be required to show your driver’s license and insurance card. We strongly recommend you verify that your prescription or referral has been received by our team a minimum of 24-hours prior to your first appointment. Otherwise, you will be responsible for a cancellation fee of $85 or the cost of the appointment in full.

5. At Your First Visit

You can expect a thorough intake session with your licensed massage therapist or acupuncturist before treatment begins. Together you will formulate a treatment plan that follows your prescription.

Why Physicians Refer to Us

Skilled LMTs and Acupuncturists. What makes Dreamclinic unique is that it has the most rigorous hiring practices for massage therapists and acupuncturists in the region. Each interview starts with an assessment of the therapist’s medical foundation – mastery of anatomy and kinesiology, stages of healing, as well as the ability to do muscle testing and formulate a treatment plan. For our acupuncture staff, we look for sensitivity and strong patient communication on top of a strong foundation in the science of acupuncture. Once in-session with clients, our emphasis is on thorough assessment of any presenting symptoms and their history, effective treatment, and a well-defined short-term and long-term treatment plan.

We treat to your plan. When performing Medical Massage, we follow your prescription or referral and are happy to provide progress reports and chart notes when requested by your office.

Convenient. We employ over 50 therapists across multiple Seattle-area locations and are open 7 days a week so that your patients are able to get in for an appointment on their schedule to get the care they need. Most of our therapists are able to see clients on an out-of-network basis. Dreamclinic also has a number of therapists credentialed with First Choice. In addition, we work with auto insurance (PIP) and Labor & Industries (workers comp) claims.

Professional. While Dreamclinic is relaxing and pleasant, we are not a typical spa. Our focus is not on pampering but on providing the highest-quality treatment-oriented massage. We handle billing in-house and follow professional injury assessment and charting practices, as would any physician’s office.

Medical Billing. We have an in-house medical billing specialist team that has current in-depth knowledge on how to work with insurance claims. About 40% of the 2000+ appointments we perform each month are insurance-billed.

We are in network with First Choice and any plans that use the First Choice Network
We accept PIP and L&I claims
We also perform out-of-network services for Premera, Regence, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA and others.

Because we are committed to our clients’ long-term well-being, we recognize situations where a referral to another type of health provider is appropriate and would be beneficial to our clients. Referral situations arise regularly and so it is helpful to know of nearby medical services providers where we can conveniently refer our clients. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

We look forward to partnering with you in excellent health care for our mutual clients!

Records Requests

Current and Former Clients

Email [email protected] with any requests for copies of your medical records. Provide your name, date of birth, date range of records, and any other relevant information. Emailed records are provided at no cost to our clients. There is a nominal fee for records requests sent by mail.

Legal Offices, Insurance Companies, and other Non-Medical Third-Party Entities

Records requests can be faxed to 206-267-0814 or emailed to [email protected]. Please include sufficient identifying information for the patient and a signed release of records. Please specify the preferred method of delivery: email, fax, or mail. There is a nominal fee for medical records requests payable by card or check.

Medical Providers

Records requests can be faxed to 206-267-0814 or emailed to [email protected]. Please include sufficient identifying information for the patient as well as your practice. Please specify the preferred method of delivery: emailed, faxed, or mail. There is a nominal fee for medical records requests payable by card or check.

FAQs

What do I need to do to use my health insurance to cover massage or acupuncture visits?
Is massage therapy covered by all insurance plans?
What insurance do you take?
Do you accept Aetna?
What is the difference between In-Network and Out-of-Network coverage?
How many visits will be covered under my insurance?
How much will my visits cost?
I don’t see my insurance listed. What should I do?
When can I schedule an appointment under my insurance?
Where can I get a prescription?
Why do I need a prescription?
What is the difference between a prescription and a referral?
What happens if I do not have a prescription by the time of my first appointment?
What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment?
What can I expect on my first visit?
Does acupuncture require a prescription?

1. What do I need to do to use my health insurance to cover massage or acupuncture visits?

Submit your insurance information via the correct form located at the bottom of this page for faster service. Or, email [email protected] with the following information:
- A photo of your insurance ID (front and back)
- A photo of your driver license (front and back)
- Best phone number to follow up
Get a prescription from your doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist. Your prescription can be faxed to (206) 267-0814 or emailed to [email protected]

We need to check your benefits in advance to confirm that your insurance company covers massage and/or acupuncture. There are no exceptions to this policy.

2. Is massage therapy covered by all insurance plans?

Massage therapy is not covered by all insurance plans. While a large number of plans do provide coverage for it, it is combined into a category called “Outpatient Rehabilitation” services. This means that while you have massage therapy benefits, you can also have physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, cardio therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture* and chiropractic services under this large umbrella.

For example, if you have 16 visits of this type allowed per year, all of the services under this umbrella count toward those 16 visits.

*Acupuncture is typically covered separately. In some cases, acupuncture is also combined with rehabilitation benefits.

3. What insurance do you take?

In-Network:

First Choice/Kaiser PPO

Out-of-Network:

Regence* (we do not accept Regence Medicare or Medigap Supplement Plan, or plans that begin with the prefix WAI, UDW, WAC)
Premera
Cigna
Providence Health Plan

Other Covered Services:

Personal Auto Injury Protection Claims (PIP) (1st Party Only)
Workers Compensation L&I Claims (on-the-job injuries)

4. Do you accept Aetna?

We do not currently accept Aetna.

5. What is the difference between In-Network and Out-of-Network coverage?

To help you save money, most health plans provide access to a network of doctors, facilities, and pharmacies. These health care providers are considered In-Network. To be part of this network, they must meet certain credentialing requirements and agree to accept a negotiated rate for covered services under the health plan.

If a doctor or facility has no contract with your health plan, they’re considered Out-of-Network and can charge you up to the billed rate. Patient responsibility is usually higher when seeing Out-of-Network providers than the In-Network negotiated rate.

6. How many visits will be covered under my insurance?

Every insurance plan is different. Once we confirm your benefits, this information will be provided to you. You can also call your insurance provider directly and they will provide that information to you.

7. How much will my visits cost?

Each individual insurance plan has variable costs based on their allowed amounts. This information is provided once we confirm your benefits and is subject to change based on variances with insurance companies’ allowed amounts.

8. I don’t see my insurance listed. What should I do?

We DO NOT accept the following plans:

Secondary Insurance Plans
Aetna
Lifewise
Medicare/Medicaid/Medigap
United Healthcare
Kaiser HMO
CareFirst
Humana
TriCare
Third-Party PIP Claims
L&I Claims through the Federal Department of Labor

If you do not see your carrier listed above and you have Out-of-Network benefits associated with your plan, you may have coverage for our services. Please email [email protected] with a photo of your insurance ID and driver license, both front and back, along with your phone number.

9. When can I schedule an appointment under my insurance?

Once you have submitted your insurance information via the appropriate form at the bottom of this page, the benefit confirmation process can take approximately 14 business days depending on your plan. When your benefits have been confirmed, we will contact you to schedule your first appointment.

10. Where can I get a prescription?

Prescriptions for massage therapy can be provided by any medical professional currently licensed to diagnose physical ailments, including:

Primary Care Physician
Chiropractor
Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapist
Dentist
Physicians Assistant (PA)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Registered Nurse (RN)
Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
Certified Midwife

Your provider can fax a copy of your prescription to us directly via our secure fax, 206-267-0814.

A prescription must have the following information:

Client’s Name and DOB
Date Issued
Area of Treatment and/or Diagnosis ICD-10 codes
Number of massage visits prescribed
Duration or expiration date ( i.e.: 6 visits at 1 visit per week)
Provider name

11. Why do I need a prescription?

In order to bill through your insurance, they require diagnostic and treatment codes, which are provided in a prescription. Insurance will not accept treatment provided without a prescription and you may be responsible for the entire cost of the visit. Licensed massage therapists are not able to diagnose or write prescriptions in the State of Washington.

12. What is the difference between a prescription and a referral?

There is not a functional difference between prescriptions and medical referrals. These terms may be used interchangeably.

13. What happens if I do not have a prescription by the time of my first appointment?

Typically, you will not be able to be seen without a prescription. If you do not provide us with a valid prescription by your first visit, you will be responsible for the entire cost of the visit or for the cancellation fee of $85.

14. What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment?

Please bring a copy of your driver’s license and your insurance card.

15. What can I expect on my first visit?

Please arrive 15 minutes early for your first insurance visit to complete the necessary paperwork. You will need to do so even if you have been to the clinic before as a cash client.
You can expect a thorough intake session with your massage therapist or acupuncturist before your treatment begins; together you will formulate a treatment plan that follows your prescription.

16. Does acupuncture require a prescription?

Generally, acupuncture treatments do not require a prescription, but any additional information given to your therapist will help in guiding your treatment. PIP claims do require a prescription for acupuncture, as do some health plans.

Below is a list of common health insurance terms that could make this all a bit easier to navigate:

Premium – what you pay each year or each month to your insurance company for your health insurance policy.

Provider – physician or other person who provides your medical care. Can also be referred to as a practitioner. Insurance providers, however, are referring to insurance companies.

Network – a group of providers that have contracted with specific insurance carriers and are considered “in network”.

In-Network Benefits – covered medical services to which you are entitled from providers in your network.

Out-of-Network Benefits – some plans allow medical services to be performed by providers not in your network. Deductibles and copayments/coinsurance are usually higher for out-of-network benefits.

Deductible – the amount of money you must pay every year to providers before the insurance company will begin paying for medical expenses – not the same as your premium or co-payments/co-insurance.

Copayment – a fixed amount you must pay at each covered service, usually when you receive the service.

Coinsurance – your share of the cost of a covered healthcare service, calculated as a percent of the allowed amount for the service.

Explanation of Benefits (EOB/EOR) – every time you use your health insurance, your insurance company will send you an EOB/EOR. It is important to go over it to ensure that you understand how your benefits are being used. While these are not bills or statements, they will show you when a service gets applied to your deductible.

IMPORTANT: You are the manager of your plan and benefits. Dreamclinic staff provide a courtesy benefits check and will bill insurance visits on your behalf. If you have detailed questions about your benefits coverage, call the Customer Service Representatives* for your insurance provider to ensure you have the correct information. They can review your Explanation of Benefits (EOBs/EORs), your plan coverage, deductible, and more. You are ultimately responsible for tracking your visits and payments.

*Please make sure that you are asking about Out-of-Network coverage if we are out of network with your plan.