It’s a new year and that means most health funds reset – time to check your cover!
Do you know what you’re getting cover for when you signed up for private health insurance?
There are a lot of people who have ‘extras’ or ‘ancillary’ cover on their private health insurance who are not taking regular opportunities to avail themselves of the rebate for remedial massage.
When, for example, we signed up for health insurance with our current provider, we stated that we would like cover that includes rebates for regular massage therapy. When the calculations were done, the salesman stated that our level of cover equated to the ability to have a discounted massage every 2 weeks.
“Sweet!” I thought. Because I usually have a remedial massage every 3 weeks to manage ongoing myalgia issues. So now I just have my regular appointments made every three weeks, stay healthy and happy (happy wife, happy life, right?)
But how do you choose a quality massage therapy provider and how do you know they are providing that services and not just a ‘back-yarder’?
Here are a few things to look for when considering a remedial massage therapist:
Are they a registered member of a natural therapies association?
Look for associations such as Australian Association of Massage Therapists (AAMT), Australian Natural Therapies Association (ANTA) and (AMT).
If these are not readily visible on the person’s advertising, then simply ask, or look them up. The associations have their registered members listed.
A registered massage therapist has undergone an industry recognised and accredited training, has a current first aid certificate and public indemnity insurance.
Are they registered with HICAPS?
HICAPS is a financial scheme which allows the holder of participating health insurance cards to claim their rebate ‘on the spot’ and the consumer simply then pays the gap directly to the provider.
Whilst this is not mandatory, it demonstrates a level of commitment to the industry by having made the steps to be recognised by the big health insurance providers. Medibank Private currently governs the status quo of massage therapy in the HICAPS arena.
HICAPS is also convenient for consumers as they can pay for everything with card – health insurance card and credit cards. No cash necessary.
So check out your private health insurance to see what you can get as a rebate for massage therapy – it’s easy, just ask for a quote! If you ‘re considering a particular therapist it’s also okay to ask what their fee is so that you can get a corrected quote from your provider. That way you know how much gap fee you’ll need to pay. Makes the treatment a lot more enjoyable when you know what the bill will be and not getting a surprise at the end!
Have a great week!
Kirsty is an experienced remedial massage therapist who owns and operates a studio business at Strathpine called Caring Cottage. You can contact her anytime for more information or go on the webpage www.caringcottage.com.au
