Massage Collage

Don’t you just cringe when you hear the term massage parlor?  I certainly do.  I usually try to consider the source and correct the person without being rude about it.  The other day an elderly client called her ride after the session and totally without malice said into the phone, “I’m finished at the massage parlor, will you come and pick me up?”  I realize that’s the terminology she grew up hearing, and at the age of 90 an old habit might be hard to break. 

I think we all have to do our part to change that perception, sometimes a little more forcefully than others. 

As I’ve mentioned before, I accept insurance at my office.  There’s a hospital nearby that gives their employees a monthly debit card for 200.00 as part of their benefit that they may spend any way they want to that’s related to healthcare, including massage.  I recently switched credit card processors.  I’ve noticed when I was working the desk that a couple of cards from the hospital employees had been declined, and at the time really didn’t give it any thought; I just assumed the client had gone over their limit for the month.  I would have gone on thinking that, until one of those clients called to tell me that she had called the credit card company to find out why she was declined.  The reason was because the credit card processing company had our business listed as—you’ve got it—a massage parlor.

I almost choked.  I called them immediately and demanded that they reclassify us as a healthcare business.  The woman on the other end of the phone was apologetic and assured me she’d take care of it.

A week later, it happened again.  This time, I called and asked to speak to a supervisor.  I told her I was very embarrassed about the fact that I had recommended the company to other massage therapists, and that I wanted this situation taken care of that same day.  Two hours later, she called me back and said it was taken care of.

I am just wondering how many therapists dealing with this huge company, or any credit card processors for that matter, are classified as massage parlors, and they’ll probably never know it if they aren’t accepting insurance.  Call up your processor and ask them how your business is classified.  I hope you don’t get the same rude awakening I did, but if you do, just insist that they change it and keep bugging them until they do. 

Peace & Prosperity,

Laura Allen

Posted on February 23rd, 2008 by Laura Allen
Filed under: General