Does Medicare cover massage therapy, phys... - Cure Parkinson's
Does Medicare cover massage therapy, physical trainer and physical therapy?
I know that they changed the physical therapy to be included even if it does not show progress for PD.
It did for me. The doctor had to prescribe it.
When my hubby goes to PT for any reason we have to pay a $40.00 per visit copay, that is the same as if he were going to see a doctor. Medicare will not pay for massage therapy, not even using a Health Spending Account. That doesn't make sense to me because you can use a Health Spending Account to purchase a treadmill or other exercise equipment and never use it, or even resale it. This is our experience, maybe someone with different insurance has different coverage. We don't use exercise equipment but we have used massage therapy paying for it ourselves out of pocket.
Kaiser doesn't at all....PT only in case of accident or after surgery....I asked about cranial sacro, and though it is supposed to be offered, two separate doctors told me that I would have to go out of the system to get both deep tissue massage and the cranial......which I have...
For me Medicare pays for my physical therapy except for the $15 copay. My mom's plan has a higher copay. I've been going 2-3 times a week for 2 1/2 years and my plan (HUMANA) has yet to cap the amount I go. I do know that Medicare requires more assessments (every 8-10 visits) and there to be progress or at least holding somewhat steady and working towards goals. I choose to keep going because it has helped me tremendously. I will continue to keep going as long as I can.
As for massage, I have been told that they do not cover it unless prescribed by a Dr and done in a Dr's office or similar setting.
In Missouri, Physical Therapy is covered by,medicare, although complete coverage may require supplemental insurance in addition. Recommend LSVT BIG, which is designed for PD.
BillDavid
I live in Florida and took LSVT Big and Medicare paid for it. I also have aa supplement AARPUnited Health Care.
I live in Washington state; Medicare cover's physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. I don't know about massage therapy. Some brilliant person in the government decided to combine the benefits for physical therapy and speech therapy so the therapists must watch the treatments. I recommend LSVT Big and Loud as a starting point. Everybody with PD must find a good support group and be as active in the group as you can be, the benefits are immeasurable. I go to a monthly speech group called the Loud Crowd and I participate in 8 testing group's through MJF foundation doing studies throughout the world. As an additional load I place on myself is I volunteer at the local hospital 10 hours a week. You can seek help from other's but you must take control of your life while you are able. Good Luck to all.
Husband has been through PT one year, Chiropractic the second year and is going to start PT again. He does better with a therapist pushing him a littke. Medicare po aid and our gap plan added a bit. I believe we got a referral for the PT but not the chiro. Not sure if we needed referrals at all.
PD and getting sick from a massage
Big and Loud Therapy
Glutathione Therapy and LDN
PARKINSON'S AND VITAMIN B1 THERAPY 
