For all of you Wisconsinites

[Patrick D]

Hey there,

I just moved in the are from Washington. I have been in Massage since 1989 and licensed since 2000.

I have applied for a reciprocity license from the Dept of Regulation & Licensing........almost done with the process but just notified about the following.........Is my License in Washington Nationally approved???????

Do I HAVE to be Nationally Certified in this State?

I was under the impression and told that I could transfer and the not have to take the Nationals but I read on their website that all test have to be Nationals equivelent???? What is that for heavens sake?

 

[cheesecake]

No, in Wisconsin you do not need to be certified. But, unless you are certified, you cannot call yourself a Massage Therapist or Bodyworker. You are limited to 'massage practitioner,' listing 'massage therapy' after your name, therapuetic massage practitioner, etc...

Wisconsin has title protection only, not practice protection. If you are working on your own its not such a big deal, but if you want to get hired somewhere, alot of employers want you to be state certified.

 

[skippy]

Thank you GL for your reply.

After posting the question I went into my files to search for the results of my passing exam taken in 2000 in Washington State.

I AM Nationally Certified in Washington State so that will be sufficient for the Wisconsin Boards.

Thank you so much for your quick response

 

[mama mia]

I'm in WI, and until recently I was under the impression that I had to stay Nationally certified, but when I looked closer at the law, it only states that I have to pass the national test- nothing about staying current with the NCBTMB.

I think if you want to get around state licensing, you can see if your city offers a license to be a "practicioner" (not Therapist)

 

[Pompal 09.]

Nationals

MG,

I don't know about "staying" National either but, what WI lic & reg. sent me e-mail about was that in order to get my reciprocity license to work here, I have to have an equivalent to their rules for licensing, things like graduating with so many hours AND a national test or equivalent of such.

I panicked because several weeks ago I cancelled my appt to take the Nationals in this state after being told I didn't need to if I already had a valid, active license in another state.

As you may know, places like California have different rules.........per county..........in that state so, I can understand the need to have equivalent training and testing. I just wasn't sure I did until I found my exam certificate from NCBTMB.

I want to have the necessary license and not just be able to practice. I have been a "licensed" MP for several years and met with a Chiro in town here that has invited me to join them in their 4,000sq ft office. So, I will go through what ever process it takes.

Thank you all for your help and your input. I love this new Community I have found!!!!!!!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Alexa, congrats on finding the new position with a chiro office! That's great! I'm delighted for you!

 

[thinkingtime]

Thanks Michelle,
We haven't set in stone the amount of room rent yet because she didn't want me to worry about that just starting a practice here.

I will go in and just hang out a day this week to see how things are run and will give me an idea how I want to set my things up in the reception area.

The room that I will work out of is soooooo big though, I haven't EVER had a room that big. Not even in my own home but, I am really excited to be able to have something with a window in it like home. I am getting some neat ideas by looking in the MY Space area.

These Chiro's don't bill insurance though (health) they do bill Workmans comp and pip insurances but, I have not ever done cash only..........any thoughts.

I can bill however I like she said though and I already have a biller from Washington State still working for me, just would like some insight on the insurances here in WI and where do I go to apply for credentialing with them and about the cash only thing.

thanks for any input

 

[northernredneck65]

Thanks Michelle,
We haven't set in stone the amount of room rent yet because she didn't want me to worry about that just starting a practice here.

Hee...Hee...the cyber twins strike again! Many members get me and Maestra mixed up!

I hope this situation works great for you. Personally, I would like working for a DC who isn't involved with health insurance than one who is. I have done that and won't do it again. I also think it is a great idea to just go hang out for the day. That should always be part of the process I think. You can observe a lot.

 

[nOnAME_MAN]

oops................I really didn't pay attention.

Thanks for your reply. How would you charge if you were only a cash only therapist???????????? Guess I can tap into my marketing ideas :roll: and come up with pkg plans I haven't had to use in awhile or discount for Chiro adj With massage.

 

[jmau]

Alexa,
No worries about the name mix up. My cyber-twin & I are used to it by now!
:
As for the chiro working on a cash only basis. My personal chiropractor works the same way. Cash only unless Medicare, Workman's comp or the result of a MVA. (In the case of the above, they will bill directly.)
They provide the patient with health insurance a receipt showing the areas worked on and the treatment codes, and the patient can then turn that into their own insurance for reimbursement.
To my knowledge you don't need any credentialing in WI to bill insurance other than being a WI certified massage therapist (with all that that entails).
At least with the ins. companies that I've dealt with in the past.
Though each Ins. company will have to be contacted individually when a client requests an appointment and you will probably want to have the client/patient sign a medical release to the chiros/dr's office as well as for the ins. company. So that you can release your records to them.
In addition there's probably other info & paper work you'll want to have your client sign (Ins. Policy #s, liens, health history, intake forms, informed consent, etc.)

 

[crtbryn]

oops................I really didn't pay attention.

Thanks for your reply. How would you charge if you were only a cash only therapist???????????? Guess I can tap into my marketing ideas :roll: and come up with pkg plans I haven't had to use in awhile or discount for Chiro adj With massage.

Just set your rates and don't worry about discounting or insurance. You will be worth your rates. There aren't too many insurance companies that will pay for massage unless it is from an MVA, so you will find clients are very used to paying for massage. That is good, actually, as they are not limited to a set number of massages that the insurance agrees to pay for, and you are not limited to doing what insurance agrees to pay for.

 

[Natichia]

Thank you both for your VERY good info and help. I guess WI is quite a bit different than Washington State when it comes to health insurance because most of ours pays if you have a Dr. referral. Some only had a few visit limit but them some had up to 60 a year!! after the deductible some even paid 100%.

I have heard the going rate in this part of WI around 50-60.00hr. I will call around Monday and then get my brochures printed up.

Thanks again!!!!!!!

Happy Fathers Day to your husbands and dads