Expanding insurance coverage for massage could save $11.1 billion

Broadening insurance access to massage therapy could reduce U.S. healthcare spending by $11.1 billion annually, according to new economic modeling from the American Massage Therapy Association. The study suggests that integrating the practice into public and private plans would curb costs while providing millions of patients with additional pain management tools.

Today, 19:01· Money Talk· 262 reads

The report, titled Massage Therapy in Integrative Care and Pain Management, outlines how such a shift would impact the broader economy. John Dunham & Associates, the firm behind the economic modeling, projects that Medicare and Medicaid could see $4 billion in savings, while private insurers and patients would gain $7.1 billion. Beyond direct healthcare reductions, the analysis predicts an influx of 96,000 massage therapists into the workforce, contributing to $5.6 billion in additional worker earnings and $4 billion in combined federal, state, and local tax revenue.

AMTA National President Rick Greely stated that the findings highlight a rare opportunity to improve patient care while strengthening the financial stability of the system. Currently, inconsistent insurance coverage forces many patients to pay out-of-pocket or forgo treatment entirely. By positioning massage as a component of a coordinated, integrative care plan alongside conventional medicine, policymakers could provide a sustainable alternative for those managing chronic pain, surgical recovery, or long-term health conditions.

Expanding insurance coverage for massage could save $11.1 billion

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