Standard of Practice: Fees and Billing

Patient Outcome

The patient is charged reasonable fees that are fair and explained to them before receiving care.

Registered Massage Therapist Outcome

The Registered Massage Therapist/Massage Therapist (RMT/MT) charges fees that are fair and equitable, reasonable, transparent, and communicated to the patient.

Requirements

The RMT/MT must:

1. Keep a financial record for each patient that contains accurate details of services provided, fees charged, and a copy of the receipt issued to the patient.
2. Not submit an account or charge for services that the RMT/MT knows is false or misleading.
3. Not sell or assign any debt owed for professional services to a third party (for example, a collection agency). This does not prohibit the payment of services by credit cards.
4. Inform the patient of any penalties for missing or cancelling appointments in advance of their first appointment and inform them of any subsequent changes to the policy.
5. Prior to providing services, inform the patient if the RMT/MT is delisted with the patient’s insurance provider(s).
6. Communicate fees to the patient prior to providing services.
7. Itemize fees on a receipt, if requested by the patient or a person or agency paying for the services.
8. Post fees in a visible location in the practice setting.
9. Ensure fees do not differ from the posted fee without noting the rationale and difference in the patient’s health record, and without the prior acceptance of the patient.
10. Ensure fees are not excessive or unreasonable.
11. Not reduce fees in exchange for prompt payment.
12. Ensure that any receipts issued for Massage Therapy (either paper or electronic), include at a minimum:
    1. date of appointment;
    2. length of appointment;
    3. name of patient;
    4. name of the RMT/MT;
    5. dollar amount of the transaction;
    6. signature and registration number of the RMT/MT; and
    7. HST number (if applicable).
13. Only indicate “Massage Therapy treatment” and include the RMT’s/MT’s registrant number for products and services that are within the Scope of Practice of Massage Therapy, and that have only been provided/performed by the RMT/MT themselves on receipts. Receipts for products and services outside the Scope of Practice of Massage Therapy must indicate the product or service provided and must not refer to Massage Therapy.
14. Ensure the receipt for a gift certificate/card, or other prepaid form of credit, describes the service as “Gift Certificate or Gift Card” and must include the dollar amount paid. When the gift certificate/card is redeemed, a receipt for the dollar amount of the gift certificate/card must not be issued. If the redeemer wishes to receive a receipt, then the description must be “gift certificate/card redeemed” with no dollar amount given.

Bolded terms are found in the Glossary.