Massage Newsletter - Spring 2018
Hello all,
I hope this finds you doing as well as possible and taking care of yourselves and each other. It has been a while since my last newsletter, and I have a number of updates to share with you. Figuring out some of the details of handling insurance in my private practice has been more challenging and slower than I anticipated. My apologies to those of you who have been waiting for news - finally, here it is!
Insurance:
I can now see clients through the following insurers:
In my private practice on Beacon Hill: Aetna, United, PIP, L&I
At Paul Perrotta's office: PIP, L&I, Regence
I saw quite a few Regence and Premera clients at Monroe, and would have liked to continue to do so at my private practice. Unfortunately, both of these networks are closed and I am unable to join as a private practice. I am glad to be able to see Regence clients as a member of Paul's office.
If you would like to see me for through Aetna or United health insurance at my private practice, please do the following beforehand:
Schedule:
The downtown Seattle office of Monroe Therapeutic Massage where I worked for two years sadly closed at the end of September. I had planned to split my time between Banya 5 and my private practice (imagine, only two workplaces!) but an opportunity came my way that I couldn't pass up, and I am excited to have joined Paul Perrotta Massage Associates. I'm working at their University District office on Thursdays the rest March; starting in April I'll be joining the rest of the team in the Maple Leaf office.
My current schedule in all locations:
Sun: 11am-4pm Banya 5
Mon: 10am-8pm Private practice in Beacon Hill
Tues: 10am-5pm Private practice in Beacon Hill
Wed: 4-10pm Banya 5
Thurs: 2:15-7pm Paul Perrotta in the University District though March, in Maple Leaf starting in April
To schedule a massage at my private practice, please call me at (206)491-4916.
To schedule a session at Banya, please call the front desk at (206)262-1234.
For appointments at Paul Perrotta's office, please call the office at (206)729-8000.
You can always find my current schedule at http://www.handsandheartmassage.net/fees-hours-locations.html
Craniosacral training:
I am excited to be studying craniosacral therapy with the inimitable Pat O'Rourke. The training involves eight three- to four-day intensives over nine months (we're 75% there!) plus practice logs, more reading than I can shake a stick at, a practical and a written exam.
Every time I try to describe this work, I feel my words fall short of capturing it's depth and magnitude. I will keep trying. For me, at its core, this work is about listening to the body, with patience, curiosity, and care. And then listening some more. And every once in a while "doing" something, usually very slight in terms of pressure but potentially quite profound in its effects, to support the body in finding new or renewed balance, spaciousness, relief. But often, while I am listening and wondering what I could do to support someone's system in finding it's way toward health, I find that things have already begun to shift and reorganize themselves, and that the simple but rare act of devoting so much time to listening, to being present, to reflecting back what I am perceiving has given this person on my treatment table the space they needed to make these shifts themselves. Which makes me ponder what it can mean to witness, to facilitate, to support, to hold...
Here are a few concerns with which clients of mine have reported positive change: old and new sprains and fractures and associated compensation patterns, lingering pain from old or new injuries, surgeries and trauma, TMJ popping and pain, headaches and migraines, blurred vision. Folks have also reported positive results in terms of improved sleep, calm, and mental clarity. And on a personal note, through the work I have received during this training, I am experiencing positive shifts in an old scoliotic pattern and associated neck and back pain, continued recovery from a motor vehicle impact 8 years ago, easier digestion and breathing, and a number of emotional insights.
This may or may not give you any idea of what it's like to receive craniosacral work. I think it's amazing. It's not everybody's cup of tea, it's not an epiphany every time, but when it is, it can be life-changing. The only way to find out is to try.
With that, I wish you all the best, and happy spring!
Take care,
marc
I hope this finds you doing as well as possible and taking care of yourselves and each other. It has been a while since my last newsletter, and I have a number of updates to share with you. Figuring out some of the details of handling insurance in my private practice has been more challenging and slower than I anticipated. My apologies to those of you who have been waiting for news - finally, here it is!
Insurance:
I can now see clients through the following insurers:
In my private practice on Beacon Hill: Aetna, United, PIP, L&I
At Paul Perrotta's office: PIP, L&I, Regence
I saw quite a few Regence and Premera clients at Monroe, and would have liked to continue to do so at my private practice. Unfortunately, both of these networks are closed and I am unable to join as a private practice. I am glad to be able to see Regence clients as a member of Paul's office.
If you would like to see me for through Aetna or United health insurance at my private practice, please do the following beforehand:
- Check your benefits by calling your insurance's customer service number or looking through your plan benefits to determine:
- The number of massage sessions are covered by your plan, and find out whether these are combined with other benefits (some plans cover a certain number of combined visits of PT and/or chiropractic and massage). I will track all the sessions you have with me; you will be responsible for tracking visits with other providers to be sure you don't accidentally go over the number of sessions covered by your plan each plan year.
- Whether you have a copay for massage visits, and if so the dollar amount. This will be due at each appointment.
- If you do not have a copay, ask about your insurer's 'allowed amount' for massage and your deductible. I bill all insurance the same rate - $140 - but many plans only allow a portion of this. Until you meet your annual deductible, you will be responsible for paying the 'allowed amount.' After you meet your deductible, depending on your plan, you will mostly likely pay 10%-20% of that 'allowed amount' as 'co-insurance'.
- See your primary care provider or chiropractor about the concern(s) you would like support with and obtain a prescription for massage if appropriate. Be sure they include diagnosis code(s). I require this for all insurance clients so that we have a record of medical necessity. Some insurers will say they do not require a prescription, but I still do.
- Bring your insurance card to our first appointment.
Schedule:
The downtown Seattle office of Monroe Therapeutic Massage where I worked for two years sadly closed at the end of September. I had planned to split my time between Banya 5 and my private practice (imagine, only two workplaces!) but an opportunity came my way that I couldn't pass up, and I am excited to have joined Paul Perrotta Massage Associates. I'm working at their University District office on Thursdays the rest March; starting in April I'll be joining the rest of the team in the Maple Leaf office.
My current schedule in all locations:
Sun: 11am-4pm Banya 5
Mon: 10am-8pm Private practice in Beacon Hill
Tues: 10am-5pm Private practice in Beacon Hill
Wed: 4-10pm Banya 5
Thurs: 2:15-7pm Paul Perrotta in the University District though March, in Maple Leaf starting in April
To schedule a massage at my private practice, please call me at (206)491-4916.
To schedule a session at Banya, please call the front desk at (206)262-1234.
For appointments at Paul Perrotta's office, please call the office at (206)729-8000.
You can always find my current schedule at http://www.handsandheartmassage.net/fees-hours-locations.html
Craniosacral training:
I am excited to be studying craniosacral therapy with the inimitable Pat O'Rourke. The training involves eight three- to four-day intensives over nine months (we're 75% there!) plus practice logs, more reading than I can shake a stick at, a practical and a written exam.
Every time I try to describe this work, I feel my words fall short of capturing it's depth and magnitude. I will keep trying. For me, at its core, this work is about listening to the body, with patience, curiosity, and care. And then listening some more. And every once in a while "doing" something, usually very slight in terms of pressure but potentially quite profound in its effects, to support the body in finding new or renewed balance, spaciousness, relief. But often, while I am listening and wondering what I could do to support someone's system in finding it's way toward health, I find that things have already begun to shift and reorganize themselves, and that the simple but rare act of devoting so much time to listening, to being present, to reflecting back what I am perceiving has given this person on my treatment table the space they needed to make these shifts themselves. Which makes me ponder what it can mean to witness, to facilitate, to support, to hold...
Here are a few concerns with which clients of mine have reported positive change: old and new sprains and fractures and associated compensation patterns, lingering pain from old or new injuries, surgeries and trauma, TMJ popping and pain, headaches and migraines, blurred vision. Folks have also reported positive results in terms of improved sleep, calm, and mental clarity. And on a personal note, through the work I have received during this training, I am experiencing positive shifts in an old scoliotic pattern and associated neck and back pain, continued recovery from a motor vehicle impact 8 years ago, easier digestion and breathing, and a number of emotional insights.
This may or may not give you any idea of what it's like to receive craniosacral work. I think it's amazing. It's not everybody's cup of tea, it's not an epiphany every time, but when it is, it can be life-changing. The only way to find out is to try.
With that, I wish you all the best, and happy spring!
Take care,
marc