Insurance and oncology massage: your questions answered
Jul 02, 2021Three things have historically stood between therapists and their ability to treat cancer patients: fear, training, and insurance.
Fear is a powerful thing, and as a result, insurance companies have made it very difficult for therapists to be insured to treat a client with cancer. So, when Jennifer first set up Jennifer Young Training, armed with a post-graduate qualification in law and degree-level scientific knowledge, she did the logical thing.
She went to the insurance companies in search of someone who would work with her to create a training programme that would mean therapists would be insured to treat patients with cancer. She found them in the form of Alison Livings from Holistic Insurance Services, with whom she continues to work today.
Today, Jennifer is now the author of 16 accredited oncology touch therapy qualifications, and she continues to seek answers to the wellbeing industry’s seemingly impossible situations. Having created protocols and products that allow therapists to get the insurance, knowledge and confidence they need to treat clients with cancer safely, here she answers some of the most common questions that persist for therapists, around insurance and oncology massage.
If I am not trained in oncology touch treatments, can I treat cancer patients?
No, and nor should any employer or client pressurise you into doing so.
The different stages and variations of cancer and cancer treatments can have lots of different effects on the physical and emotional wellbeing of an individual. It’s important that you both feel confident in the treatment you’re delivering, for your insurance, for your sense of wellbeing at work and so that the client gets the nurturing treatment they deserve.
Some essential oils are contraindicated during cancer treatments, some cancer treatments will cause sensitivities to touch and products, and some will make clients particularly vulnerable to infection. For a positive experience for all parties, you should not treat a client with cancer (or any client) unless you have the appropriate training, and your insurance will not cover you if you knowingly do so.
What if a client does not tell me that they have cancer, and you are not trained to treat them?
If a client does not tell you that they have cancer, are receiving cancer treatment or have recently had cancer, then there’s very little you can do about it. This is where your consultation form is important, so you can show your insurer that you were unaware of that information and had taken reasonable measures to make sure you were fully informed.
Is all therapist training insurable for treating cancer patients?
No, it isn’t. The big thing about oncology training is knowing how to adapt therapies for the comfort of patients, but also so that you can do appropriate risk management to support them at this time in their lives. That’s the information that insurance companies want to know you have and understand.
If my employer tells me to treat cancer patients, even if I don’t have specialist training, should I?
Absolutely not. Tell them, "Jennifer says no!” It’s not fair on you, the client or their business to provide a treatment that you’re not suitably trained to deliver. It’s in the interests of their organisation to make sure you’re appropriately trained to do your job properly.
Do all insurers support treating cancer patients?
Sadly no, but we’re working on it and things are improving. We work with the wonderful Alison Livings from Holistic Insurance Services, whose company provides insurance for complementary therapists. We worked with her to develop our courses from the start, so that therapists could be insured to treat cancer patients. She’s been a big part of the industry solution! We highly recommend speaking to her.
Do I need to update my training to stay insurable?
You should stay up to date with all your training in general, especially as cancer treatments continue to adapt and evolve over time. Our courses include information on the biology of cancer as well as foundation knowledge in the different treatments that are available and what they entail. We often have highly skilled therapists return to us to refresh their knowledge of these areas, and while it’s not a prerequisite, it is recommended.
Do the products you use affect your insurance?
Knowledge of the products you’re using and understanding what’s appropriate is a part of your accredited therapist training and the overall skillset that makes you insurable.
Are there different insurance policies for different types of treatment?
As with all insurance, the specifics of what you do will affect who insures you and for what. We highly recommend speaking to Holistic Insurance Services. They insure over 20,000 therapists from a variety of associations and disciplines. Their main policy is the UK practitioner policy; however, they also have specialist policies for nutritional therapy, counselling and psychotherapy and homeopathy.
Does oncology massage training and insurance mean I don’t need to do consultation forms?
No. A consultation form or signed acknowledgement that you have taken the time to understand your client, their needs, and their risk factors, is always an important part of showing that you are qualified, informed and have done everything within your power to protect the wellbeing of your client.
Through Jennifer Young Training courses, you can build the skills and knowledge you need to gain insurance and treat clients who are experiencing or have experienced cancer, with confidence. You can find out more by following the link below or contact us any time.
