I know first-hand the challenges & problems you face beginning your massage practice and incorporating medical referrals and accepting insurance for payment. I began just like you. After about a year of working out- calls at the rate of 6 to 8 (full hour or more) treatments a day, I opened, the first massage therapy practice anywhere to my knowledge, that specialized in injury, disability, physician referrals, & insurance related cases.

Since 1984 I have had hands on experience, 15 of those years was in owning & operating a 3,900 Sq. Ft. medically oriented Massage Therapy facility, eventually exceeding $500,000 a year in income. All from charging $35.00 to $75.00 per treatment session!! Since then I have been working with massage therapists on their insurance issues on a nationwide basis. We had up to 14 licensed massage therapists, 2 office assistants & my daughter Lori who did all of our insurance billing & collections.

We treated upwards of 500 patient visits a month, (average 28 to 32 patient visits a day), ethically and fairly billing insurance companies for patient services. Over the years, over 175 physicians of all specialties referred patients to us.

In our medically oriented clinic we incorporated a spa -like ambience, with a full immersion hydrotherapy tub, infra- red sauna unit, as well as passive exercise tables, which we mostly used for rehabilitation purposes, along with other exercise equipment.

The Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA), hearing of my success, asked me to serve as Insurance Committee Chair in 1989. I still proudly hold that position today. During this time I was happy to be working with our association, lobbyist, attorney and legislators to enact laws that now require massage therapist’s to be reimbursed by insurance companies.

I’m a regular columnist for “Massage Today” Newspaper and write articles for the FSMTA “Massage Message Magazine” and the “AMTA Fl Journal”.

I guarantee there’s no one instructing massage therapists in insurance billing with this level of hands-on experience & knowledge working with medically prescribed, insurance cases.

I do not teach how to get rich. I teach how to increase your income, help others who would otherwise not be able to have your services and to protect our profession!

NO, one does NOT have to be a “certified” or “master” or “medical massage therapist” or anything else to accept physician referrals or to submit claims to insurers’ for massage therapy services. What is required is a medical diagnosis by physician’s prescription. From time to time some Insurance companies may require state licensure or certification.

I invite you to check other links on my website for insurance & practice building home study courses, live seminars & manuals to enhance your practice & increase your income!!

Vivian and John Mahoney

John, my husband and a retired funeral director of 35 years, should be the one to receive the awards for his dedication, love for, and work he has done, related to massage therapists and this profession.

John attends all massage conventions, seminars and FSMTA Board Meetings with me. He has been my right arm, as the saying goes. Without him by my side I know I would not be able to keep this up, helping others via emails, phone calls and letters, traveling up and down the highways and presenting seminars. He has packaged and mailed every single manual, home study course and other products that goes out from our mail room.

In addition, John has prepared and helped present insurance seminars by my side since 1993. And last but not least John should receive the awards for just putting up with me and having to hear "insurance and massage" 24/7 365 days a year!!

VIVIAN'S CREDENTIALS
	LICENSE # MA0005721 FLORIDA (Since 1984)
	LICENSE # MT 2489 TENNESSEE (Since 2000)
	MEMBER: Florida State Massage Therapy Assoc. (Since 1985)
	MEMBER: American Massage Therapy Assoc. (Since 1985)
	NATIONALLY CERTIFIED / NCBTMB (1994)
	APPROVED CE Provider, NCBTMB (1994)
	APPROVED CE Provider, FL BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY
	Expert Advisor / Witness for Insurance Auditing & Fraud Departments, Defense and /or Plaintiff's Attorneys
AWARDS
	1990-92: Outstanding Service Award:2nd VP, FSMTA, Palm Beach FSMTA Chapter
	1991-93: Outstanding Service Award: Legislative Chair, FSMTA, PB FSMTA Chapter
	1994: Outstanding State Service Achievement Award: FL State Massage Therapy Association, FSMTA
	1995: Certificate of Achievement: Florida State Massage Therapy Association, FSMTA
	1997: Pursuit of Excellence Award: Florida State Massage Therapy Association, FSMTA
	1998: Special State Recognition Award: Florida State Massage Therapy Association, FSMTA
	1998-99: Listed in “Who’s Who Among Top Executives in Business”
	2005: Received 20 Year Pin American Massage Therapy Association, AMTA
	2005: LMT of the Year Award, “For Dedication & Service to the FSMTA & the Massage Therapy Profession” Florida State Massage Therapy Association, FSMTA
	2005: AMTA FL Chapter "Distinguished Service Award"
	2007 - 2008: Outstanding State Achievement Award
	2008: Florida Chiropractic Association LMT of the Year Award
	2008: Inductee in the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame
	2008: Distinguished Columnist Award from "Massage Today" Newspaper
	2009: Massage Therapist of the Year / FSMTA Palm Beach Chapter
	2009: "Pioneer Massage Therapist for Contributions to the Massage Profession"

CONTACT:
VivianMadison@aol.com
Phone: 865-436-3573