Insurance Billing - Vivian Madison-Mahoney, LMT  
                             
FSMTA's expert on insurance billing is Vivian Madison-Mahoney, LMT, chair of FSMTA's insurance committee since 1989. Because insurance billing for massage treatments is such a mysterious procedure, we want to provide an introduction so you may utilize her services. See Vivian's website http://www.massageinsurancebilling.com for more information. Vivian is a warm, friendly and willing face in the cold and complex world of  insurance. First off, to bill for your massage services your client must bring you a physician's prescription. Vivian gives insurance seminars from time to time to help LMTs understand the world of insurance. 

Vivian's website tells her story

"I know first-hand the challenges and problems you face beginning your massage practice and incorporating medical referrals and accepting insurance for payment. I began just like you. After about a year of working out-calls at the rate of 6 to 8 (full hour or more) treatments a day, I opened the first massage therapy practice anywhere, to my knowledge, that specialized in injury, disability, physician referrals and insurance- related cases.

"Since 1984 I have had hands-on experience, 15 of those years was in owning and operating a 3,900 square foot medically-oriented massage therapy facility, eventually exceeding $500,000 a year in income. All from charging $35.00 to $75.00 per treatment session! Since then I have been working with massage therapists on their insurance issues on a nationwide basis. We had up to 14 licensed massage therapists, two office assistants and my daughter Lori who did all of our insurance billing and collections. We treated upwards of 500 patient visits a month (average 28 to 32 patient visits a day), ethically and fairly billing insurance companies for patient services. Over the years, over 175 physicians of all specialties referred patients to us.

"The Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA), hearing of my success, asked me to serve as Insurance Committee Chair in 1989. I still proudly hold that position today. During this time
I was happy to be working with our association, lobbyist, attorney and legislators to enact laws that now require massage therapist’s to be reimbursed by insurance companies."

We thank Vivian for being there for us. She is a regular columnist for “Massage Today” Newspaper and writes articles for the FSMTA “Massage Message Magazine” and the “AMTA Fl Journal”. There is no one instructing massage therapists in insurance billing with this level of hands-on experience and knowledge, working with medically prescribed insurance cases. As she says on her webite, she does not teach you how to get rich; she teaches you how to help others who would otherwise not be able to have your services.

Vivian explains that you do not have to be a “certified” or “master” or “medical massage therapist” or anything else to accept physician referrals or to submit claims to insurers for massage therapy services. What is required is a medical diagnosis by physician’s prescription. From time to time some insurance companies may require state licensure or certification. See her website for home study courses, live seminars and manuals on insurance billing. For future seminars click massageinsurancebilling.com  or phone Vivian at 865-436-3573.

Immediate Past President Ron Stephens on Insurance

This Insurance Billing Course is a must for any LMT having questions on insurance billing. If anyone has problems and wants help on the local level for what in essence is a state and national issue, without this course information they will more than likely be disappointed with their results. This could be a great source of income for those who put forth the effort to gain the knowledge and skills needed. When I joined the FSMTA Vivian was known as the "go to" person for any insurance billing issues. She was already donating proceeds from her first Insurance Billing Manuel, written in the late 80's, to the FSMTA. She has shared her vast knowledge, gained from many insurances battles that began with the needs of her family. Vivian is a class act and we are fortunate to have access to her. Take advantage of it. Massage is a family affair and a team effort for her. Her husband puts it all together and makes the trips and grueling schedules possible. Thank you, John.

We encourage attendance at this Insurance Billing Course. As Vivian acknowledges, travel is a bigger item than in the past, which means creativity must be employed to attend this or any other CEU event for education or information. The CEU requirements have not changed with the rise in gas cost so sharing cost is one way to handle them. But, as always, use good judgment and know who you are sharing rides and rooms with. 

Ron Stephens, MBA, LMT
Immediate Past President, Southwest Chapter

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For questions regarding insurance contact Chapter President Ron Stephens at ron4insormassage@aol.com .