New York considers workers comp coverage for massage therapy

New York lawmakers introduced a bill in the state Assembly on Tuesday to amend the state’s workers compensation law to allow for the coverage of massage therapy as a potential treatment.

A.B. 7498, introduced by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner, D-Round Lake, has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Labor.

Under the proposed legislation, massage therapy provided by a fully licensed therapist and prescribed by an authorized physician will be covered along with treatment already offered under the current law, including acupuncture and chiropractic services.

The bill would also require massage therapists to maintain records, but noted that such records cannot be considered evidence of a disability.

A companion bill, S.B. 421, was introduced in the New York Senate on April 30.