Massage and acupuncture treatment for injuries or for chronic conditions may be covered by your health insurance, car insurance or by Labor and Industries. At SABA, we have providers that work with all insurance carriers of Washington. We can take care of the billing and advise you on how to proceed. Please read below for more specific information.

Health Insurance

Washington State has a law called the "Every Category of Provider" Law, which requires that insurances in Washington State cover alternative health specialties - including massage and acupuncture. Here at SABA we work with Group Health, Regence, Premera/Blue Cross, Uniform, Corvel, Cigna, First Choice, Aetna, Axia/American Whole Health Network, American Health Specialties Network, and others. See our filter on the home page to find a SABA provider who works with your insurance. Some insurances have out of network benefits as well. Meaning, even if a provider does not work with your insurance, the insurance company may pay a portion of the treatment anyway.

There are numerous plans out there, each with different benefit packages and with different limitations on alternative healthcare. Most require a referral from a medical provider. Before you make an appointment it is very important that you call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask the following questions (remember to write down with whom you spoke):

  1. What is my coverage for massage (or acupuncture)?
  2. Do I need a doctor's referral or prescription?
  3. What is my co-pay or co-insurance?
  4. What is my deductible for the year?
  5. Has my deductible been met for the year?
  6. Verify that your selected practitioner  is listed as a provider with your insurance, and if not, inquire about out of network benefits.

Medicare/Medicaid and Basic Health/DSHS

Massage and Acupuncture are not covered by these government funded insurances: they are exempt from laws that require coverage of these treatments in Washington State.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), massage and/or acupuncture treatments may be covered by insurance as part of your recovery. You must have a referral from a doctor, chiropractor or nurse practitioner, and our acupuncturist and massage therapists will work in conjunction with your referring provider. These treatments, if approved are covered by your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) with your own insurance, even if another party is at fault. If you don't have PIP, you may be able to use your Health Insurance through a process called "subrogation". If another party is at fault and you don't have PIP, their insurance may pay for your treatments. This is called a "Third Party" claim. Not all practitioners will take third party payment, as payment is usually delayed until the claim is settled. This can take a year to three years or more.

Download the SABA Auto Accident Wellness Guide [PDF]

Labor and Industry

Massage is covered for L & I injuries, with a doctor's referral. L & I does not cover acupuncture.

Conditions

We have approximately 60 providers in the Seattle area who send patients to us for clinical treatments. Most Common Diagnoses for which doctors entrust their patients to SABA are: neck pain, thoracic pain, lumbago (low back pain), sciatica, shoulder strain/pain in joint involving shoulder, pain in limb, migraine, and headache. We also see people to treat fibromyalgia, insomnia, multiple sclerosis, lymph problems and many other conditions. Most insurances will pay for such conditions with the proper referrals.

Feel free to call us or send an This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions!