Are you looking for a way to give back to/promote the massage profession in Washington State (and make a few bucks on the side)? If you have skills in marketing, business administration, sales or school admissions, then WSMTA is looking for YOU. 

The WSMTA Board of Directors is looking for a Membership Program Director (see position description here, Volunteer Position Descriptions. You will be able to help create WSMTA’s Membership Program from the ground up. You will be a primary “face” of the organization, interacting with massage schools, current members and potential members. When certain membership goals are attained there will be a financial benefit for you!

If you are interested in being our Membership Program Director contact Marybeth Berney, WSMTA President, at mberney@mywsmta.org.

If you are curious about joining our band of passionate volunteers in clinical practices, government relations, editing and social media or as a Director– please email info@mywsmta.org and put “volunteer” in the subject line.  

WSMTA is actively researching various insurance products and options you may be interested in for your practice, from Liability Insurance, Business, and Audit insurance products.

Watch this page for updated information and contacts for various insurance products for your practice.

Insurance Resources

Dear Massage Therapists and Massage enthusiasts,

Back in 1990-91, while I was enrolled at Seattle Massage School, I attended a transformative event where I was witness to the dedication and passion of AMTA-WA Chapter board members. It was during that board meeting that I realized the pressing need for active involvement in our profession. I pledged that, once licensed, I would dedicate myself to volunteering and contributing to the growth and progress of massage therapy.

In 1992, I embarked on my volunteer journey with AMTA-WA, a commitment that extended until the early 2000s. The demands of advocating for our profession led to burnout for some, causing them to step back and focus on their practices. Yet, the external pressures on massage therapy never ceased. This underscores the importance of a continuous cycle of dedicated volunteers stepping up to ensure the well-being of our profession, fellow LMTs, and the patients we serve. 

From my firsthand experience, I observed the unwavering commitment of our professional leaders, including educators, clinic owners, and practicing LMTs, who selflessly devoted their time despite the challenges and the additional time taken from their practices, classrooms, and businesses. Fast forward to today, and we continue to grapple with many of the same pressures on our profession. Issues like inadequate insurance coverage and access, the challenge of human trafficking under the guise of massage, and persistent uneven treatment in local regulations, to name but a few – all demanding our collective action and advocacy.

In 2015, we took a significant step by establishing the Washington State Massage Therapy Association (WSMTA) to champion our profession at the local state level. This organization provides an independent platform for advocacy, free from potential constraints by other professional associations and outside stakeholders. While we aim to collaborate with other associations, provider groups and stakeholders whenever possible, our primary focus remains on the advocacy and advancement of massage therapy in our state.

Over the years, WSMTA has emerged as a respected and influential voice in Washington State, with a dedicated membership that fund our operations for the benefit of all State LMT’s. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your support, which empowers us to continue our tireless advocacy efforts on behalf of the massage therapy community. Allow me to share a brief list of past and ongoing achievements:

• Development of COVID Return to Practice Guides and informative webinars
• Dissemination of COVID updates from Governor/DOH through our newsletters and website, offering clarifications for their implications.
• Annual provision of free educational opportunities at our flagship Annual Meeting, featuring valuable CE hours.
• Tireless representation and advocacy for massage therapists and WSMTA members in discussions with the Board of Massage, state agencies, and other organizations.
• Instrumental assistance in revising massage ordinances in Bremerton and the City of Lacey.
• Active participation in WA Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) meetings to voice our concerns and contribute to discussions.
• Pivotal role in developing and continuously refining comments for the Board of Massage's rules revisions through collaboration and research.
• Rigorous examination of continuing education requirements, CE tracking and storage, and other pertinent matters, with ongoing research and commentary.
• Establishment of key contacts for collaboration with the Office of Insurance Commissioner, third-party payers, credentialing bodies, and insurance companies.

In the state of Washington, we face unique challenges as healthcare providers. Our profession's voice often lacks the strength seen in other healthcare professions and associations. This places us at the mercy of more influential interests that shape our industry's perception and regulation. Since our profession's inception as a state licensed profession, it has been our responsibility as practitioners to stand up, raise our voices, and advocate for fair access to patients, equitable compensation, and the accountability of those who tarnish our field.

My ask is for you to join the movement and contribute to the betterment of our cherished profession. If you have ever found yourself contemplating a solution while facing a challenge, you already possess the seed of volunteerism within you. Your unique perspective, insights, and dedication are needed now more than ever. Together, we can shape the future of massage therapy, ensuring its growth, recognition, and fair treatment.

Join us in advocating for a stronger, more vibrant massage therapy community in Washington. Your voice matters, your actions make a difference, and your commitment will leave a lasting impact. Let's come together and propel our profession to new heights. Reach out to us today at info@mywsmta.org and be a part of this exciting journey.

With heartfelt gratitude and anticipation,

Carl Wilson

Director and Treasurer

Washington State Massage Therapy Association (WSMTA)

For four days over October 20-23, 2022 there is a free vision clinic offering free vision exams and prescription eyeglasses.  Anyone from the Seattle/King County region who struggles to get access or afford healthcare is welcome.

This is a first-come, first serve clinic that starts at 6am each day of the clinic and is held at Seattle Center.  All medical professionals and staff are volunteers. For full details, click on this link:

https://seattlecenter.org/patients/

This clinic has been occurring annually since 2014 and has provided free medical, dental and vision services.  It took a hiatus during the pandemic.  This is the first year it is operating again, but only as a vision clinic as they navigate such a massive healthcare undertaking through COVID.  It is possible they may offer free health and/or dental services again in future annual clinics, so keep this website in mind for 2023 if you or someone you know might benefit from their services.

Currently, in a massage practice or clinic, blankets are defined as a single service item, meaning that after every use, the blanket must be laundered.  The Board of Massage had considered changing how often a blanket must be laundered but decided in it's July 29, 2022 meeting to keep blankets a single service item.

WAC 246-830-005 Definitions subsection (12) defines linens.  The WAC currently states: 

"Linens" means sheets, blankets, towels, gowns, pillow cases, face cradle covers, and other nonimpervious fabrics used in the practice of massage.

WAC 246-830-500 Equipment and Sanitation subsections (5) and (6) currently state:

(5) A massage therapist must provide single service materials or clean linen such as sheets, towels, gowns, pillow cases, and all other linens used in the practice of massage.

(6) Linens must be stored in a sanitary manner. All towels and linens used for one client or patient must be laundered or cleaned before they are used on any other client or patient.

The Board of Massage has been in the process of amending 5 WACs, which also included WAC 246-830-500 Equipment and Sanitation.  The Board of Massage had planned to amend the language to read:

(5) A massage therapist must provide single service materials or clean ((linen such as sheets, towels, gowns, pillow cases, and all other)) linens used in the practice of massage. Linens must be stored in a sanitary manner.

(6) All ((towels and)) linens ((used for one))that come into direct contact with a client or patient must be laundered or cleaned before they are used on any other client or patient. Blankets used on a client or patient must be laundered at least once a day or when the blanket comes in direct contact with a client or patient or becomes soiled.

However, in the July 29, 2022 Board of Massage meeting, the Board of Massage decided to keep blankets a single service item, which requires laundering after each client use.

On September 27, 2022, the Department of Health sent an email out to every massage therapist it has an email address for.  The email stated:

Continuing Education in Person Training Waiver Ends December 31, 2022

Dear Interested Party:

At its September 23, 2022 meeting, the Board of Massage (board) voted to not extend the expiration date for Policy Statement BOM 20-01.6 Continuing Education Requirements During the COVID-19 Response. The policy, which is in effect through December 31, 2022, waives the requirement for an LMT to obtain in person and directly supervised massage skills training as part of their continuing education.

Beginning January 1, 2023, to renew their license, LMTs will be required to complete the CE requirements as provided in WAC 246-830-475, subject to the exception outlined below.

Exception
An LMT whose CE reporting date is after December 31, 2022, will not be found non-compliant with their CE if they obtain their CE hours in accordance with the allowances of the policy while it is in effect.

Example
An LMT who must report their CE by February 20, 2023, will not be required to obtain eight hours of in person training if they complete all CE requirements in accordance with the policy’s allowances before December 31, 2022.  Their next CE reporting date would be February 20, 2025.

In addition, the Board will continue to exercise its authority in WAC 246-12-210 to review extenuating circumstances that may prevent an LMT from meeting their CE requirements.

Davis Hylkema
Interim Program Manager
Washington State Board of Massage
massage.therapy@doh.wa.gov

Click on the link, https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/bulletins/32f45fa to read the email in an official format.

A shorter version of this email is also published on the Department of Health, Massage Therapist page, just click on https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/massage-therapist to read it.

The Washington COVID state of emergency will end on October 31, 2022. The rest of the Governor’s Proclamations, that are still in effect, will come to an end on this same date. Here is a link to the latest news release from Governor Inslee’s office about the ending of the COVID state of emergency.

https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-announces-end-remaining-covid-19-emergency-orders-and-state-emergency-october-31

But (there is always a but) it is important to understand that the requirement to mask in healthcare settings is an order from the Department of Health and as of this writing, this requirement will continue past October 31 (see below).

The state wide face covering order issued by the state Department of Health will remain in place for health care and long-term care settings, as well as correctional facilities under certain circumstances after the state of emergency ends. The governor is also looking at options to ensure there are protections for workers who choose to wear a mask in their workplace.

As updates are available, we will post them here. Until then masking is still required in all massage therapy places of business.

How many times per month do you have to turn away insurance patients because you are too full?

Respond via email to: info@mywsmta.org
Subject: Question of the Month 

*SAVE THE DATE*
Empowering LMT's and Clinic Owners in an insurance dominated environment.

More details to come.

What is it that you would like to know, but might not know, about operating a massage practice or being a massage therapist in the state of Washington? For example: 

• Do you have questions about the new WACs that have gone into effect for massage therapists in the last couple years?

• Do you have questions about the current COVID-19 regulations for healthcare providers?  

• Maybe you have tax questions or questions about business structures for healthcare providers?

• Maybe you would like to know more about the details of effective insurance billing or charting. 

Let us know what knowledge would help you to feel more confident in being a massage therapist employee or running your own practice or clinic.

Contact us at info@mywsmta.org