WAC 296-23-250   Massage therapy rules.  Practitioners should refer to WAC 296-20-010 through 296-20-125 for general information and rules pertaining to the care of workers. See WAC 296-20-125 for billing instructions.

     Refer to WAC 296-20-132 and 296-20-135 for information regarding use of the conversion factors.

     Massage therapy treatment will be permitted when given by a licensed massage practitioner only upon written orders from the worker's attending doctor. In addition, physician assistants may order massage therapy under these rules for the attending doctor.

     A progress report must be submitted to the attending doctor and the department or the self-insurer following six treatment visits or one month, whichever comes first. Massage therapy treatment beyond the initial six treatments will be authorized only upon substantiation of improvement in the worker's condition in terms of functional modalities, i.e., range of motion; sitting and standing tolerance; reduction in medication; etc. In addition, an outline of the proposed treatment program, the expected restoration goals, and the expected length of treatment will be required.

     Massage therapy in the home and/or places other than the practitioners usual and customary business facilities will be allowed only upon prior justification and authorization by the department or self-insurer.

     No inpatient massage therapy treatment will be allowed when such treatment constitutes the only or major treatment received by the worker. See WAC 296-20-030 for further information.

     Massage therapy treatments exceeding once per day must be justified by attending doctor.

     Maximum daily reimbursement levels for massage therapy are seventy-five percent of the maximum daily reimbursement levels for physical and occupational therapy services that may be found in WAC 296-23-220 and 296-23-230.

     Billing codes, reimbursement levels, and supporting policies for massage therapy services are listed in the fee schedules.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020(1) and 51.04.030. 08-09-120, § 296-23-250, filed 4/22/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020 and 51.04.030. 05-18-030, § 296-23-250, filed 8/30/05, effective 10/1/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 51.04.020, 51.04.030 and 1993 c 159. 93-16-072, § 296-23-250, filed 8/1/93, effective 9/1/93.]