Ive just had a call from a new client who wants to have refelxology but would like to claim on her medical insurance. She wanted to know if i give a recepit and what information is on there.
I explained I normally give a hand written receipt stating amount recieved and for which treatment, date and contact details ect.
She asked if she could have it printed on headed paper, i said i could arrange that, than she asked, could I put that she had podiatry or chiropody so she could claim, I said i could not put something on the receipt i am not qualified for! Well she said could i give her a blank receipt!!!! I cant see her for a couple of weeks and she wants me to phone her when I am free to beek a treatment but I have a funny feeling about it , so what would any of you do if you were asked the same thing?, Surely it is not right to give a blank recepit if i suspect she want it to claim for something not covered on her policy?
No to a blank receipt
No to saying I did a treatment I am not qualified to do
Yes to listening to my inner knowing /funny feeling
tigress
Hi TTB
Most medical insurance claims don't accept reflexology treaments. Sounds like she is telling the insurance company porkie pies to get her money back. Personally I wouldn't get involved in such fraudulent activities, even if that means losing the client. If this went to court it could ruin your business and professional reputation.
Best Wishes
RP
Trinabeanbag dont even entertain this client,this is unbeleivable and as RP has said its you that could end up jeopardising your business,some people would try anything. 😡
Wrong on so many levels. Firstly getting involved in fraud is just silly, asking shows incredible cheek. Why doesn't she go to something she's covered for? She could be up to anything. Next she'll say she can't pay til the insurer's coughed up. She's either an idiot or a big fat risk. Say no thanks, you won't get any thanks for taking it on. Let her make up her own therapy and write her own receipts, if she wants headed notepaper she can print her own. Just imagine she's from the News of the World if that helps.
Definitely not! as you said it sounds extremely dodgy and you will be the one that get's into trouble too, as KVDP said I can't believe her cheek at putting you in this position.
Don't touch with a barge pole!
Paula
Just to second, third or however many it is now... 😀
Absolutely no to writing out a blank reciept. Making false claims to insurance companies is fraud, and she clearly intends to be partaking in fraudulent activities, so you don't want to be implicated in that in any way.
If she's going to be that way inclined, I'd even be cautious of just giving here a treatment at all, or providing headed business paper to her (just in case she tries to 'manufacture' a fake receipt using your logo/details).
I suggest when you next speak to her, say that you will be happy to supply a receipt with details of the treatment direct to her insurers and ask her for her insurance company details. Just see how willing she is to let you have those. If she is, then fine, give her a treatment and send a copy of the receipt to her insurers, but I'm guessing she won't.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
And to add to the other comments, chiropody/podiatry is a HPC state regulated profession, with the terms podiatrist and chiropodist being protected by law in the UK. http://www.hpc-uk.org/aboutregistration/protectedtitles/
RP
Most of the insurance companies will only accept receipts from practitioners who are on their 'Recognised Provider' lists. Also, the majority of private health insurance companies will require authorisation codes before treatment can be done - currently the company I work with will only accept physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, acupuncture and MLD - I don't know of any companies who accept reflexology as a therapy.
Don't do it TTB - as everyone else has said, it is fraudulent.
Wouldn't give her a blank receipt/headed paper as it's pretty obvious what she wants to do with it and you could be implicated.
Would only give her your normal receipt or one on headed paper. Keep a copy so you're protected if she alters it later.
My instincts tell me to not touch with a bargepole, I hate turning down a client but my gut tells me to leave alone, and I beleive we should trust our instincts. Thanks to all of you for backing up my feelings!
I've had multiple clients successfully get reimbursed for Reflexology through their cafeteria plan (pre-tax healthcare money for things like eyeglasses, gym visits, etc...). I explain to the client interested in this that at this time (at least here in Massachusetts), I cannot be an approved insurance provider but that I'm happy to give them copies of session notes and a detailed invoice after a series of treatments.
In one case I had a client who was reimbursed for the treatments her autistic daughter received. Some have claimed the Reflexology sessions after a work-related injury or a motor vehicle accident.
While it does sound like this woman may be trying to play the system you could explore whether she has any type of case that *might* qualify for a partial or full reimbursement.
Private medical insurance is a bit more 'constrained' on this side of the pond.
i can claim for reflexology etc in the UK through Medisure, similar to HSA plans.. I agree this is totally unacceptable though and would not touch it.
Reflexology Receipt
Suggested wording for a Reflexology Receipt:
I wish to acknowledge payment amounting to £............ In respect of Reflexology (only) administered to the person named below on the following dates ..................................................................
Signed
(note that I have intentionally avoided the words like Treatment or Patient, and always remember that Reflexology is NON MEDICAL unlike Massage which IS considered medical)
Anthony Larkin Reflexologist & SRCh
Ireland