Frequently asked questions.
How do I contact you? Can I text you?
Generally, we do not text or directly email with our patients. Text messaging is not HIPAA compliant, and discussions regarding your treatment and booking need to be kept safe.
This is the direct link to our Contact page, along with a link to our Help Center article for clients to message their providers:
Contact Essie Hicks & Associates Massage and Wellness
How Do I Message My Provider?
When clients are sending a message to their provider directly, they will need to enter the provider's name when prompted and select the provider from the drop-down menu.
If that doesn’t work, you might need to clear your cashe.
Clearing Cache (All Browsers)
Alternatively, clients can select the View Business option displayed under each of their past and upcoming appointments to be taken to your MassageBook website, and navigate to the Contacts page to send a message.
If you recieve an error message, please call us so we can notify the MassageBook IT team.
In Washington State, massage therapists are classified as healthcare practitioners and are governed by the Washington State Board of Massage and the Department of Health. We are required to comply with HIPAA laws surrounding your privacy.
Do you take health insurance?
At this time, we do not accept health insurance. But we do work with you to get your massage therapy reimbursed. Our therapists have National Provider Numbers, and we are happy to provide you or your health insurance company with all records and receipts necessary to get your reimbursement.
How does my prescription work with my PIP or L&I claim? Can I see other massage therapists, too?
You will recieve a prescription for a massage that has a code on it. We need to have this prescription or a copy of it, and sometimes other authorizations from case or claim managers. We need those for each prescription.
We do not diagnose. We need diagnosis codes from a referring doctor.
We recommend booking all of your massages in advance to make sure you have priority booking. You can always cancel an appointment if needed, giving us 24 hours ‘ notice.
We have a biller who sends the bills out to your attorney or the responsible party. We will need authorization and a claim number for your auto accident or L&I claim. If your PIP claim is denied, you are responsible for payment. Our biller verifies authorization for you to make sure there is low risk of that.
L&I claims are handled in the same manner, and payment is negotiated between our office and L&I. You are never responsible for payment.
Currently, we are not accepting L&I claims.
You can see any massage therapist you choose. You are not required to see only one practitioner. If you see a therapist outside Essie Hicks & Associates, they will ask for all the same information from you to bill, and you will need to tell them how many treatments you received before changing therapists.
Does my package series work with all of the massage therapists?
Yes! Your package includes all of the massage therapists who work for Essie Hicks & Associates.
How should I dress for the massage? Will I be naked?
You DO NOT have to be naked to recieve a therapeutic massage. Our therapists are trained in myofascial stretching and pressure point therapies that can work around or through any article of clothing.
Some massage techniques that include gliding, like Swedish, Wellness, or Aromatherapy massage, require the product to be applied to the skin for gliding strokes, but you are in control of what areas this type of massage is applied to, and it does not require you to be nude.
You will always be draped with a sheet and a blanket if you like. We also provide Modesty Wraps for people who want a little extra coverage. These wraps allow the practitioner access to your back and snap up when you turn over.
What if I don’t want certain parts of my body touched?
Our practitioners are trained to ASK you about what regions of your body we are addressing. You have the right to change your mind during the massage, and you have the right to ask for the massage to stop.
What should I say if something doesn’t feel right?
If anything in the room doesn’t feel right, we want to know right away. We understand that everyone has sensitivities that can affect their experience. Please let us know if the temperature or even the smell of the room is not right. We have heaters, fans, cool or warm packs, a table warmer, and blankets to change your temperature.
“Can you turn on a fan or give me something to warm up?”
Please let us know if the depth and pace of our massage are not right for you.
“The pressure is a little light and too fast. Could you go a little deeper and slow the strokes for me?”
We depend on you to tell us if we are touching a region of your body you don’t want massaged, or if you want your draping changed. As professional bodyworkers, we develop a plan for your massage based on your intake form and our assessment. We sometimes have a general plan for a massage session that includes all areas of the body except for the breasts and genitals.
“The massage in this area doesn’t really feel comfortable to me. Could you move to a different area?”