Interested? Wondering how? Want to learn more? Read on!
Below you will find information about the virtual care course, answers to commonly asked questions, and a list of colleges/associations that permit MTs to engage in virtual care with links to details provided by these regulatory bodies/associations.
THIS COURSE WILL BE AVAILABLE ON UDEMY SOON!
FAQs
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Commonly asked questions/concerns regarding virtual care practices. Please review the FAQs on the Virtual Consults page, as well. The video here discusses some of the benefits of a virtual care practice, and tells you a bit about why I decided to begin virtual care, and why I want to share these strategies with my colleagues.
Have a question not addressed here? Feel free to contact me. |
1. What can an MT offer virtually?
The scope of practice for Massage Therapists does not only include hands on techniques. MTs are capable of making suggestions for self care/remedial exercise and this is what can be done through virtual care. The requirement is that we can assess and develop a clinical impression to justify the interventions we use. While some assessment techniques involve touch, many do not and can easily be completed through virtual care. These virtual care courses teach a set of assessment techniques that can easily be done virtually, and suggestions for how to use existing skills, to develop a picture of what is happening so that a clinical impression can be defined. The course will also cover strategies for creating change in pain, limited movement and common physical complaints we see in practice. We will explore movement drills, many of which you likely did not learn in massage school, to help improve the way our clients/patients feel, move and help develop resilience and resistance to injury.
2. Is it possible to have a virtual business if insurance companies won't cover virtual care?
The short answer is YES. Here's the thing... some insurance companies will cover virtual care; a client/patient simply has to contact their insurer to find out if they can be reimbursed for virtual consults. Further, many people continue to see MTs in-person when their insurance coverage runs out. It is not unreasonable to think a person would pay out of pocket for virtual care. Most of my virtual consults are paid out of pocket. The reason this is not such a limiting factor is because virtual care requires a client/patient to be actively involved in their recovery. As such, results are often realized more swiftly and with less frequency than hands on care only.
3. Virtual care "is stupid...people want massage."
LOL This was an actual response to a survey I sent out regarding virtual care. So, the way that I would respond to this is to say... Some people want touch, some people want to get better. For those who want to get better, virtual care is effective. For those who want touch, it is not. I have a very healthy virtual care practice that supports those who want to be active participants in their wellness. I see those who have not seen results or long term change with other interventions, and are sick of being trapped in maintenance care, or short term relief. For those interested in starting a virtual practice, these are your people. Those who want touch are not. Simple.
4. Will my liability insurance cover me for providing virtual care?
For those whose colleges/associations have permitted virtual care as within scope, this would not be the case if your liability insurance did not cover you in these interactions. Please see below for statements from those specific associations/colleges who have responded to my inquiries about virtual care. If yours is not listed, please contact them and if they do not have provisions for virtual care please let them know that you wish this to be an agenda item for consideration.
5. I'm not sure clients will understand how this can be effective?
Isn't this the case for lots of things? For massage therapists who use more movement in a practice, or do not have people undress. For MTs that practice modalities that aren't well know, or understood by the general public. There will always be situations where you must educate your clients/patients about the value of something new/different. If you started using a new modality, maybe you introduced it by providing free, short sessions or by doing demos at an event. Same goes for virtual care. There are many ways to educate your clients/patients about the effectiveness/role of virtual care, and they aren't much different than the strategies you used when you began your practice and were trying to get people to know YOU as a therapist.
6. I don't believe an MT can assess or treat conditions virtually.
Well... you're wrong. 😁 I do it. It has been done to me. It works. Are there situations where hands on care may be more appropriate or needed at the same time? Absolutely. I typically like a little email chat before people book virtual care, so that I can determine if what they want is something that is possible through a virtual consult. If not, then I refer them out. If you want to see a virtual care session in action, I'm happy to show you how it works. You can go to the Virtual Consults page and access my online scheduling.
7. How do I charge for virtual care?
This question may have different answers dependant on what the asker is looking for so I am going to address a couple possibilities.
In terms of HOW MUCH, that is up to you just as much as your in-person fees are your choice. Personally, I charge just a little less than in-person because the costs are lower to provide virtual care, but still do exist. Website, online payment processing fees, time for sessions and follow up, etc all play a part in setting your fees. You may want to offer only hour long sessions, or multiple time frames dependant on whether it is an initial session, complex case or follow up. We can address this in more detail in the live online course, or in support sessions after completing the Virtual Care for MTs course.
In terms of HOW TO BILL, your college/association will likely have some specific guidelines (see links below). In general, virtual consults can not be direct billed so your client/patient pays you and then submits to their insurer to get reimbursed (if applicable). You receipts must indicate ONLINE consult rather than "Massage Therapy Session" or something similar. You must identify this as an online consult, and make that clear in your invoicing.
In terms of HOW MUCH, that is up to you just as much as your in-person fees are your choice. Personally, I charge just a little less than in-person because the costs are lower to provide virtual care, but still do exist. Website, online payment processing fees, time for sessions and follow up, etc all play a part in setting your fees. You may want to offer only hour long sessions, or multiple time frames dependant on whether it is an initial session, complex case or follow up. We can address this in more detail in the live online course, or in support sessions after completing the Virtual Care for MTs course.
In terms of HOW TO BILL, your college/association will likely have some specific guidelines (see links below). In general, virtual consults can not be direct billed so your client/patient pays you and then submits to their insurer to get reimbursed (if applicable). You receipts must indicate ONLINE consult rather than "Massage Therapy Session" or something similar. You must identify this as an online consult, and make that clear in your invoicing.
8. Can I have a virtual practice in my province/state?
Maybe. Below I have links to emails and documents from associations/colleges regarding virtual care practices. It's not always easy to get replies, so this information will be updated as I get more information. Please check with your individual associations/colleges so you know the specifics for your region. If your regulatory body does not permit virtual care, (1) there may be another one in your area that does and you can absolutely switch to an organization that better supports where you want your practice to be, and (2) as a member, you can ask that virtual care be considered or re-considered as an agenda item. You pay dues to these regulatory bodies to provide you with the opportunity to practice, and in ways you believe to be valuable for the public and you. Speak up. Let them know what you want and why. I've included a document below with some questions that you may wish to ask your regulatory body. These are the questions I emailed to regulators, and the email screenshots found below are their responses.
Colleges/Association Statements Re: Virtual Care
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| CMTBC - British Columbia CAN |
| CMTO - Ontario CAN |
| MTAA - Alberta CAN |
| MTANS - Nova Scotia CAN |
| MTAS - Saskatchewan CAN |
| MTWPAM - Nova Scotia CAN |
| NHPC - Canada |
If you belong to another college/association, not on this list, and have information about their stand on virtual care I would love to add that info. Please email me @ digiuliormt@gmail.com