U.S Department of Labor Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/energy

U.S. Department of Labor

Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs 

Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation

Massage Therapy

General Information

The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) provides medical 

benefits to covered employees under Parts B and E of the Act. The EEOICPA ensures that employees 

who have an accepted illness receive necessary medical care for that illness. The Division of Energy 

Employees Occupational Illness Compensation (DEEOIC) has determined that certain authorized 

medical conditions may require massage therapy as part of their treatment. This frequently asked 

questions document defines the authorization process to bill for massage therapy benefits. For further 

information about special circumstances or individual cases, please contact your Medical Benefits 

Examiner (MBE) at the DEEOIC National Office or contact the Resource Center that services your 

area. For your convenience, we list the contact information for the National Office and the Resource 

Centers at the end of this document. 

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is the manipulation of body soft tissues for the purpose of normalizing those tissues 

and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure. 

Potential benefits of massage therapy

 Reduces pain and muscle tension

 Increases flexibility, range of motion, and relaxation

 Improves blood circulation promoting deeper and easier breathing

What are the requirements for approving payment for massage therapy authorization? 

 Prescription for massage therapy or manual therapy signed by the treating physician

 Face-to-face evaluation conducted by the treating physician for initial pre-authorization

request

 Letter of medical necessity from the physician must list the therapeutic benefits of massage

therapy for the accepted condition. The letter should also include the frequency and duration

of the therapy to be provided with the allotted time, i.e.; twice a week for eight weeks

 All requests must be submitted in writing before authorization for payment can occur

 All requests require prior authorization

How will I be notified of an approval?

If the information received by DEEOIC is sufficient for approval, an authorization letter is sent to the 

claimant, provider and treating physician outlining the following: 

 Covered condition for massage therapy

 Number of visits approved

 Authorized billing codes

 Period of authorization

Note: The DEEOIC does not consider massage or manual therapy medically appropriate when 

prescribed for illness prevention, recreation (spa therapy), or stress reduction.
U.S Department of Labor Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/energy

How will I be notified of a denial?

If the information received by DEEOIC is not sufficient to warrant authorization or reauthorization of 

payment for massage therapy, DEEOIC will sent a detailed letter decision to the claimant, provider and 

treating physician. The decision will explain the evidence reviewed and why that evidence was 

insufficient.

Are there any limitations on how many times I can receive massage therapy?

DEEOIC can approve payment for massage therapy for up to 2 visits per week, up to 8 weeks (16 initial 

visits). Each treatment session may be no more than 1.5 hours in duration. Reauthorization is required 

from the medical provider every 8 weeks. DEEOIC authorizes approval in increments of 16 visits. No 

more than 60 visits can be approved in any calendar year.

Appropriate Locations for Massage Therapy Services

• Medical clinic

• Medical office

Can I receive these services in my home?

For consideration for approval of in home visit requests, the patient must demonstrate that they are 

homebound. Medical evidence from the treating physician must demonstrate that the claimant is 

medically unable to travel to obtain massage therapy.

Are there any special requirements that my provider of choice must follow?

It is also important to note that a provider must be enrolled with DEEOIC to be paid for their services. 

The provider must also hold a valid massage therapist license or certification in the state where the 

services are rendered; and services are billed daily. The provider must submit the bill, along with 

medical notes, to the DEEOIC bill processing contractor. The medical notes need to describe the 

particular therapeutic care provided during each authorized visit. The notes should describe the benefits 

of the massage therapy, including any specific improvements in functionality or in achieving relief from 

the symptoms of the compensable illness. For more information on enrollment, your provider can visit 

https://owcpmed.dol.gov or, call 1-866-272-2682 for additional assistance.

What if I need services beyond the initial 8-week authorization period?

DEEOIC will evaluate requests for extensions for payment authorizations of massage therapy services. 

Medical documentation must support that the condition or level of function has not improved, and that 

the ongoing services provide tangible medical relief. 
U.S Department of Labor Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/energy

DEEOIC RESOURCE CENTERS & REGIONAL JURISDICTION

The DEEOIC has established eleven (11) Resource Centers nationwide to assist employees and 

their families with applying for benefits under the EEOICPA. If you want help with any part of 

your EEOICPA claim, including massage therapy or the medical billing process, you may 

contact one of the Resource Centers. They can provide assistance either in person or over the 

telephone, and, therefore, are able to service individuals who are outside the immediate 

geographical area. For assistance, you should contact a Resource Center based on the location of 

the employee’s last employment. The Resource Centers, including their regional jurisdiction, are 

listed below: 

California Resource Center

7027 Dublin Blvd

Suite 150

Dublin, CA 94568

Telephone: 925-606-6302 

Toll-Free: 1-866-606-6302 

Fax: 925-606-6303 

California, Hawaii

Hanford Resource Center

303 Bradley Blvd

Suite 206

Richland, WA 99352

Telephone: 509-946-3333 

Toll-Free: 1-888-654-0014 

Fax: 509-946-2009 

Alaska, Oregon, Washington

Denver Resource Center

8758 Wolff Ct

Suite 101

Westminster, CO 80031

Telephone: 720-540-4977 

Toll-Free: 1-866-540-4977 

Fax: 720-540-4976 

Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, 

Oklahoma, Wyoming

Idaho Resource Center

1820 E 17th St

Suite 250

Idaho Falls, ID 83404

Telephone: 208-523-0158 

Toll-Free: 1-800-861-8608 

Fax: 208-557-0551 

Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South 

Dakota, Utah

Espanola Resource Center

412 Paseo De Onate

Suite D

Espanola, NM 87532 

Telephone: 505-747-6766 

Toll-Free: 1-866-272-3622 

Fax: 505-747-6765 

New Mexico, Texas

Las Vegas Resource Center

1050 E Flamingo Rd

Suite W-156 

Las Vegas, NV 89119

Telephone: 702-697-0841 

Toll-Free: 1-866-697-0841 

Fax: 702-697-0843 

Arizona, Nevada

Portsmouth Resource Center

3612 Rhodes Ave

New Boston, OH 45662-4935 

Telephone: 740-353-6993 

Toll-Free: 1-866-363-6993 

Fax: 740-353-4707 

Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Puerto 

Rico, West Virginia, Wisconsin 

Savannah River Resource Center 

1708-B Bunting Dr 

North Augusta, SC 29841 

Telephone: 803-279-2728 

Toll-Free: 1-866-666-4606 

Fax: 803-279-0146 

Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, 

South Carolina

Paducah Resource Center 

125 Memorial Center 

Paducah, KY 42001 

Telephone: 270-534-0599 

Toll-Free: 1-866-534-0599 

Fax: 270-534-8723 

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri 

Oak Ridge Resource Center

800 Oak Ridge Turnpike

Suite C-103 

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Telephone: 865-481-0411 

Toll-Free: 1-866-481-0411 

Fax: 865-481-8832 

Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, 

Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia 

New York Resource Center

6000 N Bailey Ave

Suite 2A, Box #2

Amherst, NY 14226

Telephone: 716-832-6200 

Toll-Free: 1-800-941-3943 

Fax: 716-832-6638 

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont