Here are the steps to receiving care in our office for an auto injury:

1. Do you have Medical Payments (medpay) on YOUR auto policy? If yes, then move on to #2. If no, then you have the option to pay out of pocket and seek reimbursement. If you choose to pay out of pocket, then move on to #3. If you are unable to pay out of pocket, unfortunately, we don’t have any other options for you at this time. Our sincerest apologies.
2. Make sure that you contact your insurance carrier to open your medpay claim. Get your medical claim number and your adjuster’s contact info and submit your request to our office HERE.
3. Get a referral for massage from a licensed healthcare provider; doctor, nurse practitioner, chiropractor, physicians assistant, etc. Make sure the referral specifies the diagnoses and recommended frequency, this usually looks something like “2x week for 6-8 weeks, then reevaluate” or they may also write “Evaluate and Treat at Therapist Discretion”. If you need a blank referral for your provider to sign, please use our massage referral HERE.
4. Schedule your first appointment with us. It is a good idea to book multiple appointments up front so that you can secure your spot on the days that work for you and there is no gap in care. You may schedule online here or call us at 520.858.0350. Please note, that scheduling online is the fastest way to get on the schedule as our phones are not always staffed. If you call, please know that we will do our best to get back to you within 24-48 business hours.
5. Take a deep breath, know you are in good hands and we will do everything in our power to help you get back to life, pain-free.

Schedule Online Here

Schedule Your First Appointment

If you have been in an auto accident and want to schedule an appointment with our office for your initial appointment Click Here to enter your Medpay claim information so that we may verify the claim before proceeding. You may also call us at 520.858.0350. Please have your auto policy claim information ready when calling. Once verified, we can schedule you over the phone or you may use our online booking system here.

If you decide to pay for your care yourself, meaning you are paying out of pocket and at the time of service, then you may schedule without us verifying your claim first. Schedule online HERE. Please note, that scheduling online is the fastest way to get on the schedule as our phones are not always staffed. If you call, please know that we will do our best to get back to you within 24-48 business hours.

Auto Injuries and Massage

Auto accidents can be a traumatic experience for those involved, and the aftermath can be equally challenging. Injuries sustained in an accident can range from minor to severe, with the latter often requiring medical intervention. In addition to injuries and pain, patients often times have a major reduction in their quality of life (QOL) and ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL’s). One form of treatment that can aid in the healing process and improve QOL and ADL after an auto injury is medical massage therapy.

Medical massage is a therapeutic approach that involves the manipulation of soft tissues to improve circulation, reduce tension and pain, decrease adhesions and scar tissue and calm the nervous system to promote overall relaxation and facilitate healing. There are a whole host of modalities that medical massage practitioners may utilize during your treatment. There is usually not just ONE method for treating such injuries. In addition, we employ empathy, compassion, understanding and hold space for those who may be suffering from a whole host of symptoms that may seem overwhelming and sometimes confusing.

Medical massage therapists are specially trained to work with patients who have sustained injuries, including those resulting from auto accidents. Our team is also especially unique in that we have a vested interest in your wellbeing. We listen, we care, and we try our best to get you better as soon as possible.

Benefits of Medical Massage

Medical massage can help to reduce pain and discomfort caused by soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash or strains. By improving circulation to the affected area, medical massage can also speed up the healing process and reduce inflammation, leading to a faster recovery time.

Another benefit of medical massage for auto injuries is the reduction of scar tissue formation. Scar tissue can form as a result of the body’s natural healing process after an injury, but it can also be a result of improper healing or lack of treatment. Medical massage can help to break up scar tissue, which can improve mobility and reduce pain and discomfort.

In addition to physical benefits, medical massage can also have psychological benefits for patients. Auto accidents can be traumatic experiences that can lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health issues. Medical massage can help to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve overall mood.

It’s important to note that medical massage is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Each patient’s injuries and needs will be unique, and a skilled medical massage therapist will tailor the treatment to meet those needs. This may involve a combination of techniques, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy or a variety of other modalities, depending on the patient’s specific condition. We believe that the best way to approach injuries such as auto accident injuries is by using a holistic approach, taking into consideration the entire person. We look at care through the lens of the biopsychosocial model, as we believe this is approach can lead to better outcomes than traditional ways of compartmentalizing pain, dysfunction and trauma.

Our holistic approach to bodywork can be an effective treatment option for those who have sustained auto injuries. By reducing pain, inflammation and scar tissue, promoting healing, and improving overall well-being, medical massage can help patients on the road to recovery. Patients should consult with one of our qualified medical massage therapists to determine if this treatment is right for them.

 

Insurance

Medical Payments (Medpay)

In Arizona, medical massage for auto injuries is often covered by auto insurance (not health insurance), depending on the patient’s policy and the extent of their injuries. Patients should consult with their insurance provider to determine what coverage is available. In Arizona, auto coverage for medical massage is called Medical Payments, or Medpay. This is an add-on to YOUR auto policy (not the other driver’s policy) that covers your medical expenses regardless of who is at-fault. Some insurance companies and some states call this same type of policy Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. (If you don’t already have this coverage, it can be added to your policy for a few extra dollars per month). We accept Medpay and PIP.

Third Party Cases

Currently we are NOT taking any third party cases. A third party case usually refers to the auto insurance carrier of the driver that hit you. They may take full responsibility for the accident and agree to pay for your medical care, however they don’t do so until the case is settled. This can be 1-3 years down the road. Due to the unknown length of time we must wait to receive payment for our services, we have decided to discontinue taking any third party cases. We can, however, give you a prompt-pay discount, where you’d pay at the time of service and we’d provide you with adequate chart notes related to your case and detailed receipts. This allows you to submit the receipts yourself and get reimbursed at the time of your settlement.

Prompt-Pay

If you do not have MedPay, you have the option of paying out-of-pocket and submitting your receipts to the insurance company or your attorney for reimbursement once your claim settles. We will ensure that you have all of the proper documentation needed to submit for reimbursement.

Health Insurance 

Currently, health insurance in Arizona doesn’t seem to cover massage therapy. Some patients have submitted a Claim Reimbursement Form to their health insurance carrier after treatment and been successful at getting reimbursed. However, this is rare and not guaranteed. Although, it doesn’t hurt to submit the claim.

Health insurance can be used however for other types of care regarding your auto injury. For example, if you go to the Emergency Department, Urgent Care, Physical Therapy, etc., you could be using your health insurance (AZ only). If you have utilized one of these types of care and they billed your medpay coverage, you can contact them and ask them to bill your health insurance instead. You determine where your funds are spent. Medpay coverage is best utilized for modalities and items that health insurance typically doesn’t cover; medical massage, acupuncture, chiropractic (although some health insurance does cover chiropractic), and any at-home equipment or devices you may need, ie; new pillow, foam roller, standing desk, etc.

 

Massage Referral or Prescription (Only required if care is being submitted to insurance)

Our treatments are outcome-based and require a prescription from your doctor, chiropractor, nurse practitioner or urgent care clinic. Most doctors will be glad to give you a prescription for massage following an accident or injury. If you have already seen your doctor since the accident, you can often times call their office and ask for a prescription for massage without being seen again.

If you’d like to expedite the process, please print this Medical Massage Prescription form and have your doctor or nurse practitioner fill it out. You can then have them either fax it to our office at 520.448.0819 or bring it in with you on your first visit. They also are free to use their own prescription form or online referral platform, it just needs to include the diagnosis code(s) and frequency/duration of massage treatment prescribed.

phone: 520.858.0350 fax: 520.448.0819