Is Thai Massage covered by insurance

This is a question I’m asked often, and the honest answer is: it depends on your insurance provider. Some plans include Thai massage, and others don’t. This is similar to many other powerful holistic modalities—Osteopathy, Reiki, Shiatsu, and more—which are not always recognized by insurers even though they support health in meaningful ways.

It’s completely normal for holistic therapies to fall outside traditional insurance systems. Many of the most impactful wellness modalities began this way. Coverage often comes after people advocate for it, not before. So if your plan doesn’t currently include Thai massage, it doesn’t mean the modality is “less legitimate” — it simply means the system hasn’t caught up yet.

The best first step is to call your insurer directly and ask whether Thai massage is included in your plan.If the answer is no, you can request that they add it. Insurance companies pay attention when enough people ask for the same service, and several of my clients have successfully advocated for coverage this way.

Some clients also receive reimbursement through a “wellness” category or a flexible wellness spending account. If your plan doesn’t currently offer this, you can request that as well.

And whether or not your plan covers Thai massage, you are always welcome to experience its benefits. Many people choose this work because of how deeply it supports mobility, nervous system regulation, emotional grounding, and overall vitality. Insurance or not, your well‑being is worth tending to.

If you’d like to request coverage, you can use the template below.

To Whom It May Concern,

As a member of our workplace health benefit plan, I would like to offer a suggestion to improve our health benefits package.

I have found Thai massage to be highly effective in supporting my overall health and well-being, and I am very pleased with the results of my treatments. Unfortunately, it is currently not reimbursable under our existing plan.

My Thai massage practitioner is certified through Samadhi Thai Massage School (samadhithaimassage.com) and is an active member of the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC), a respected professional association with high standards for holistic health practitioners. They are also a member of the Thai Healing Alliance International.

I believe that Thai massage should be an eligible service within our health benefits plan, and I request that a Thai massage category be added to allow for reimbursement of sessions provided by qualified practitioners.

Thank you for considering this addition to our benefits package.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Hope this helps!

Lou