Its not always easy to get a prescription for an auto accident. A few different options are listed below.
Wherever you get one, it may be helpful to have them use the form below. Have the doctor fill it out during your visit and have them send you home with a copy. Its the best way to make sure we have all the info we need and get you in the massage therapists hands as soon as possible.
Massage is not a miracle cure and it is helpful to have an extended duration of treatment to accomplish your and your doctors healing goals. Many doctors do not know what is allowed by insurance…in which case we recommend the following treatment plan.
“1-2x per week for 12 weeks, 16 sessions total”
A doctor may prefer a shorter plan so they can re-evaluate you sooner and determine the best course of action.
According to Hawai’i state law, it must be signed by an MD or a DO. It cannot be signed by an APRN or DNP.
If you don’t leave with it in your hand, have them send it to:
Big Island Massage Network
808-557-8807
Fax 844-781-8303
auto@BigIslandMassageNetwork.com
(click prescription image to download PDF)
Your Primary Care Doctor (PCP)
This is the most obvious and best place for you to get a prescription. Your PCP knows you the best and what would be best for your healing. However, some PCPs cannot get you in for an appointment in a resonable amount of time, and others don’t know how to bill for auto accidents.
Not all PCPs are used to working with the no fault car. Using the above form above will make sure it has all the info we need.
The prescription may be signed by a MD or a DO. Even if your PCP does not have these credentials, they may have a colleague in their office that can sign it for them.
Urgent Care
This is usually the fastest way to get a referral, but by no means the easiest. Before you wait to be seen, tell them you were in a car accident and that your insurance tells you you need to be seen by a MD or DO. If they do not have one available to sign your treatment plan, the massage prescription may not be accepted by your insurance.
When you arrive, tell them you were in a car accident and that you are in pain. Let the doctor do their evaluation and determine the nature of injuries before you ask for massage. When their examination is complete, only then are they in a place to talk about your treatment options. If they don’t offer it themselves, you can ask them if they think massage would be helpful.
If you just say from the beginning “I’m here for a massage referral” they will very likely turn you away. The doctor needs to do their evaluation first before they can determine the best course of treatment.
On the East side, Hilo urgent care is a lot better bet than Pahoa or Keaau, but even there, I’ve seen people turned away if they ask for a massage referral before they are evaluated.
Accident Clinic
There are various accident clinics around the island who specialize in car and work accidents. Some may have their own massage therapists in house and want you to see them….but in the past these offices have also been happy to send prescriptions to us. Sometimes they cant get you in quickly for an evaluation, so just give them a call and see when they have openings. Tell them you want to see one of the therapists in the Big Island Massage Network and make sure they are OK with that.
Dr Kelsey Ennila at Island Pain and Regenerative Medicne, Hilo and Kona, 808-766-3376
Dr Zain Vally at Vally Medical Group, Hilo and Kona, (808) 935-6353
Dr Lawrence Badgley at Total Health Connection, Hilo, (808) 987-9895