FAQs

    1. What do I need to do to use my health insurance to cover massage or acupuncture visits?
    2. Is massage therapy covered by all insurance plans?
    3. What insurance do you take?
    4. Do you accept Aetna?
    5. What is the difference between In-Network and Out-of-Network coverage?
    6. How many visits will be covered under my insurance?
    7. How much will my visits cost?
    8. I don’t see my insurance listed. What should I do?
    9. When can I schedule an appointment under my insurance?
    10. Where can I get a prescription?
    11. Why do I need a prescription?
    12. What is the difference between a prescription and a referral?
    13. What happens if I do not have a prescription by the time of my first appointment?
    14. What do I need to bring with me to my first appointment?
    15. What can I expect on my first visit?
    16. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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)
    • Premera
    • Providence Health Plan
    • Out-of-State BlueCross BlueShield
    • Aetna

    Other Covered Services:

    • Personal Auto Injury Protection Claims (PIP) (1st Party Only)

    *Plans that begin with the prefix UDW, WAI & WAC do not have Out of Network massage benefits, but do have Out
    of Network acupuncture benefits.

    1. Do you accept Aetna?

    We currently accept Aetna on an Out-of-Network basis.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

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

    We DO NOT accept the following plans:

    • Secondary Insurance Plans
    • Lifewise
    • Cigna as of 1/1/2024
    • Medicare/Medicaid/Medigap
    • United Healthcare
    • Kaiser HMO
    • CareFirst
    • Humana
    • TriCare
    • Third-Party PIP Claims
    • L&I Claims through the Federal
      Department of Labor
    • State L&I Claims for Crime
      Victims
    • Dept of L&I Workers Comp Claims as of 3/15/2024 

    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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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
    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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 $100 or $145, depending on service duration.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    First Party Claim 
    – A first party claim occurs when you file a claim with your own insurance company after an accident or injury. We only accept First Party claims at Dreamclinic.  

    Third Party Claim 
    – A third-party claim is a claim you make against someone else’s insurance policy, although it may include uninsured motorists claims with your own insurance company. Third-party claims often require a settlement prior to covering medical bills and will not guarantee coverage for treatment. We can provide medical invoices for self-billing third party claims. 

    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.

    To get started click one on the options below.

    HEALTH INSURANCE
    NEW PIP CLAIM