Above & Beyond Massage Therapy Clinic

Therapeutic Massage • WSIB & Auto Claims • Insurance billing

Massage Therapy Services

Massage therapy has long been valued for its therapeutic and healing properties.

The techniques now referred to as Swedish Massage have been employed by health care practitioners for centuries, all across the world. Swedish massage uses slow, smooth strokes applied with the fiber of each muscle of the body to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and support the body's natural healing processes. These techniques form the foundation for nearly every massage treatment, and can be built on and modified to suit each client's individual needs and preferences.

In addition to the traditional Swedish massage techniques, our therapists offer a range of massage modalities that you can add to your treatments in order to maximize the benefits for your unique needs.

Above & Beyond RMTs are qualified to assess and treat clients with WSIB (workplace injuries) or MVA (motor vehicle accident) injuries. If you are seeking massage therapy for payment under one of these umbrellas, one of our therapists will need to schedule and complete a complete functional assessment for submission to the appropriate agency before treatment can begin. When you make your initial appointment, please make sure your therapist is aware of the assessment needed so they can allot enough time for a thorough review.

Registered massage therapy is not covered by OHIP, however, many extended health care plans provide coverage. Check with your insurance company or employer to see how much you are covered for. A referral from a doctor may be required by some insurance companies. Direct billing to insurance companies may be available.

Esalen™

Esalen massage is a practice originating in California. The techniques employed by Esalen practitioners are long and slow, meant to mimic the rolling waves of the ocean. The overall effect of an Esalen massage is whole body and integrative, bringing about a sense of safety and well-being to the client's entire body.

» More information: esalen.org
» Recommendations: Stress, long-term injuries, emotional disturbance, victims of abuse.

NOTE: Carrie Deslippe has completed a workshop studying the Esalen techniques and is qualified to perform the techniques she learned there, integrating Esalen elements into her massage treatments.

Passive Range of Motion & Joint Therapy

Your therapists can incorporate soft joint mobilizations and passive motion exercises into your massage treatment to help improve your joint health and movement. For passive exercises, your therapist will gently create movement at each joint being worked on, allowing movement without the strain of muscle contraction. During this process, the therapist may also employ stretching techniques to help lengthen tight muscles that may be impeding joint movement.

» Recommendations: Long-term injuries, frozen shoulder, any range of motion restriction

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Workplace Injury & Motor Vehicle Insurance Claims

For patients seeking massage therapy under a motor vehicle accident insurance claim or WSIB workplace injury, your therapist must perform a complete functional assessment before treatment can begin.

Typically, we like to combine the assessment with an initial treatment that will help sooth and calm the body after the potentially rigorous assessment exercise. To complete both components of your initial visit, please plan to spend approximately 2 hours at the clinic. Because of this time block and the various pieces of paperwork to prepare, please inform your therapist BEFORE you arrive of the reason for your visit so they are able to give you the time that you need.

When you come for your appointment, please bring along any information pertinent to your claim, including the name of the insurance company, your claim number and your adjuster's name and contact information.

WSIB Claims
Following the initial assessment, your therapist will need to write up a review of your condition as they have understood it and submit it to the adjuster assigned to your case. From there, the write-up is reviewed by a nurse practitioner employed by WSIB and finally, your request for treatment approved or denied. This process may take up to 3-4 weeks. Once your request has been approved, your therapist will contact you to schedule treatment times that are convenient for you.

MVA Claims
Under current auto insurance laws, you will be eligible to begin treatment immediately after visiting the clinic for the first time. Please inform your therapist if you are solely seeking massage therapy or if you have also begun seeing a Physiotherapist, Chiropractor or both. This will have an effect on the number of treatments your therapist will be able to provide. Your initial visit will consist of an assessment and treatment.

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Extended Healthcare & Massage Coverage

Many extended healthcare plans offered by Canadian employers include provision for massage therapy. As part of your regular routine, massage is an excellent (and enjoyable) way to maintain good health and help prevent injury from the repetitive strains of your daily life.

If you're not sure whether your benefits package included massage therapy, you can either check the benefits packet from your employer or simply call your insurance provider. In order for massage to be covered by any insurance plan, the services received must be completed by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). You may also be required to submit a doctor's note recommending that you receive massage therapy.

Some insurance plans cover massage therapy but only up to a certain amount per visit. This may be a dollar amount or a percentage. Any amount not covered by your insurance company must be paid on completion of the treatment.

DIRECT BILLING

Some insurance companies allow Assignment of Benefits—the provision that allows a massage therapist to bill them on your behalf so that you are not required to pay for treatment up front.

Currently, both GreenShield and Blue Cross allow massage therapists direct, online billing services. The only paperwork you will need to provide is a doctor's note, if required under your plan.

Great West Life also allows direct billing, but it must be done through the mail and the allowance can vary depending on the specific benefits package your company purchased. If you would like your therapist to submit billing to Great West Life on your behalf, please call them ahead of time to verify that they allow assignment of benefits and whether or not you are required to submit a doctor's note. With those two details squared away, the Above & Beyond office would be happy to offer you direct bill services.

If you have insurance coverage under any other health care plan, and would like us to complete billing for you, please call them to verify that they allow assignment of benefits.

In the event that your plan does NOT allow for assignment of benefits, you will be required to pay for any services as they are performed and will receive a detailed receipt that you will be able to submit for reimbursement.

Sound confusing? We know it can be—please feel free to give us a call or email if you'd like to discuss how we can work with your insurance provider. We're happy to help.

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Fees

Shelby Geier - Registered Massage Therapy

  • $65.00 - 30 minutes
  • $85.00 - 45 minutes
  • $105.00 - 1 hour

Carrie Deslippe - Registered Massage Therapy

Prices include HST.

Payment

Above & Beyond is able to provide direct billing to some insurance companies where allowed.