What is Neurologic Music Therapy?

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As defined by the Training Manual for Neurologic Music Therapy (1999), Neurologic Music Therapy is the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory and motor dysfunctions due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system. Neurologic Music Therapy is based on a neuroscience model of music perception and production and the influence of music on functional changes in nonmusical brain and behavior functions. Treatment techniques in Neurologic Music Therapy are based on scientific research and are directed towards functional therapeutic goals.

Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is one of several approaches to how music can be utilized therapeutically within the general field of Music Therapy and is the approach ascribed to here at DBC3 Music Therapy.  One of NMT’s distinct features is its focus on how music can be used to influence nonmusical behaviors, such as using singing to assist someone with speech deficits.  This pushes the notion of generalization to the forefront of treatment such that your DBC3 music therapist will develop his/her treatment plan around your functional need, whether it’s improved mobility, balance, grasping, speech, memory, etc., and gear your experiences towards improving your level of functioning in these areas.  While addressing nonmusical functional goals is not unique to NMT, the clinical model followed by Music Therapists trained in NMT first identifies how one would address the functional goal in a nonmusical way followed by the clinical application of the musical intervention, allowing for a smoother transition, or generalization, from musical intervention to improved function.

Who Can Practice Music Therapy?

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The credential ‘MT-BC‘ (Music Therapist – Board Certified) is required to professionally practice music therapy.  Music therapists who earned one of the following credentials, RMT, CMT and ACMT, prior to the formation of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) in 1998 are currently not required to hold the MT-BC credential.  However, this is not a large percenatage of music therapy professionals so if you do not see MT-BC following their name it would be best to ask.

A music therapist is eligible to sit for the national board certification exam after completing their bachelor’s degree in music therapy from one of over 70 college and university programs approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

All music therapists at DBC3 Music Therapy have the MT-BC credential.

Is Music Therapy Covered by my Insurance?

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In the state of Ohio the answer is “Probably Not”.  Direct reimbursement of Music Therapy services happens on a case by case basis and, to my knowledge, has not been successful in Ohio.  The number of successes nationwide is steadily increasing and DBC3 Music Therapy has several claims pending insurance approval here in Ohio (stay tuned).  If your music therapist is a medicaid provider it is possible to use your medicaid waivers for Music Therapy services, however, obtaining a medicaid provider number is not a common occurance for Music Therapists in the state of Ohio.  Medicare, to my knowledge, does not recognize music therapists among their listed providers and so does not reimburse Music Therapy.

My apologies if this seems negative but these are the current realities.  On the positive side there are several entities currently working to make reimbursement more of a reality, both on the state and federal levels.  If you are a potential music therapy client there are 2 things you can do to help get your insurance company to consider reimbursing Music Therapy services; 1) get a letter of medical necessity from your primary physician and 2) call your case manager and tell them you want Music Therapy services.  While this won’t guarantee reimbursement it will place the conversation on the table.

Neurologic Music Therapy and Reimbursement

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While 3rd party reimbursement for Music Therapy is still an iffy proposition for many practitioners, Neurologic Music Therapy has been instrumental in helping to level the playing field, as it were.  NMT techniques are codified according to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and are defined diagnostically.  When submitting to a 3rd party payer a therapist must put the patient’s appropriate diagnosis code(s) and, often, a CPT code that represents the treatment utilized, and accepted as appropriate, for that diagnosis.  Being able to enter these when submitting for reimbursement allows Music Therapists to speak the same language as other therapists to the insurance companies.  While far from a guarantee and questions regarding treatment may still arise, it is one less obstacle Music Therapists have to face.

How Do I Choose a Music Therapist?

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Everyone has their own criteria or hierarchy for choosing any service provider, whether it’s a physician, lawn care, a hair stylist or any other specialist.  Whether based on referrals from other professionals you trust, experience with your situation/population, expertise in a certain area, years in the field, etc., choosing a Music Therapist should be no different.  DBC3 Music Therapy will provide professional references and be open about their music therapist’s education, experience and methodology, allowing you to make the decision that works best for you.  We will always tell you in advance who your music therapist will be and will never change treating music therapists without first consulting you.