Florida State Massage Therapy Association

Attention Healthcare Providers

Jessica — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:22:44 +0000

The Department of Health Bureau of Quality Assurance issued an important notice to warn licensed healthcare providers of a possible telephone scam currently being used to obtain private financial information. Please read below for details.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM THE BOMT - POSSIBLE SCAM:
We were recently made aware of a telephone scam, whereby a licensee received a call from a woman indicating she was from the Bureau of Quality Assurance, Department of Health calling to advise his license to practice medicine was being suspended effective immediately because he failed to forward a new set of fingerprints to them. She was very convincing and indicated the mail had not been returned to their offices; however, she could put a “stay” on the suspension if he immediately sent in his fingerprints. When asked if he could go to a local police station to have them taken, she told him she would call the police station to find out if they had the correct card that was needed and that she would call the doctor back. She called him back and said the police station did not have the card and said she could FEDEX it to him and all she needed was a credit card number to charge him $25.37. She proceeded to tell him she couldn’t use the credit card he had used with them previously and that she needed a new card number, which he provided. Later, the doctor became suspicious and called both credit card companies, finding out that upwards of $10,000 had been charged to his credit cards.

In order to make our licensees aware of this potential scam and to help ensure protection of their information, the following message is being placed on: all board pages; the first page of the online services portal; the message pages after the practitioner logs into their account; and the FAQs on the online services portal:

IMPORTANT MESSAGE -
The Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, is dedicated to protecting your personal information against fraud and scams. You can help protect your license and personal bank accounts by being cautious in giving out your own personal information such as first name, last name, business name, email address, userid/password, financial information (credit card, bank account number, PIN), social security number, and driver’s license number. We will never request personal credit card or bank account information over the telephone. If we require information from you, we will notify you in writing and request that you provide the information by mail or online only after you have safely and securely logged in to your account.

If you believe that someone may be using your account without your permission, please contact us immediately at 850-488-0595.

License Services on FLhealthsource.com

Jessica — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:50:33 +0000

If you have questions about how to get a license, renew an existing license, or transfer your license from another state; instead of calling the Board of Massage Therapy, you might consider visiting www.FLHealthSource.com first to see if it answers your question(s).

Services for Licensed Massage Therapists:
Renew License
Update Address
Print Confirmation of License
Request Duplicate License

Applicants & those considering getting a Florida Massage Therapy License:
Licensure Evaluation Tool (Directs you on how to get a FL license)
Apply for Licensure Online
MQA Examination Services
Applicant Status Check

Last, but not least, you can fill out a questionairre to see if you are affected by Florida Statute 456.0635.

If your license question is not answered on FLHealthsource.com, you can browse the
FL Board of Massage Therapy website or call the Board of Massage Therapy at 850-245-4161.

Practice in Florida, Join in Florida

FSMTA — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Mission Statement: “To Unify the Massage Therapy Profession While Creating, Representing, and Promoting Standards of Excellence in Health Care”

Vision Statement: “To Promote Public Awareness of Massage Therapy in Florida Through Education and Professionalism”

The Florida State Massage Therapy Association (FSMTA) is the oldest professional massage therapy association, founded in 1939. Furthermore, FSTMA is the only association that works exclusively for therapists who practice in the state of Florida.

New Law - Licensure and Renewals

Jessica — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:46:46 +0000

A new law passed on July 1, 2009 prohibits the issuance or renewal of a massage therapy license for an individual who was convicted of a felony under chapter 409, chapter 817, chapter 893, 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970, or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application.

This ALERT is posted on the Florida Board of Massage Therapy Website.

If this law affects you, please contact FSMTA at 877-376-8248 and let us know.

For more information, please visit the links provided below.

This new law is Florida Statute 456.0635 and contains references to the following laws:

Florida Statutes, Chapter 409

Florida Statutes, Chapter 817

Florida Statutes, Chapter 893

United States Code, Chapter 13 (ss. 801-970) (455 KB pdf)

United States Code, Chapter 42 (ss. 1395-1396) (4.75 MB pdf)

Electronic Membership Renewal Notices

Jessica — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:00:00 +0000

FSMTA has implemented a new electronic notification system for renewing your membership. In an effort to reduce our environmental impact as well as costs, we send your first two membership renewal notices by email. We send paper renewal forms to you if you do not have an email address on file with us or if you do not respond to the electronic renewal notices. If you receive your renewal by email, you still have the option of printing your renewal form to mail with a check. This new green system allows us to continue to provide you with the service you expect, without raising your membership dues.

You have several ways to provide us with your email address. You can log in to your FSMTA profile to add or update your email, you can contact us online or by phone (877-FSMTA4U), or you can write it on your paper renewal form.

If you don’t currently have an email address on file with FSMTA Central Office, then you are missing out! We send out email newsletters with helpful information to keep you in touch. Also, your Local Chapter probably sends out email reminders about their monthly meetings, where you can get free CEs!

We hope you’ll join us in our efforts to help the environment, keep you in touch, and keep membership dues low by ensuring we have a current email address.

Request from FSMTA Lobbyists

Jessica — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:39:53 +0000

The FSMTA Lobbyists, Allison Carvajal and Janet Mabry, have asked that we send our members a petition for Senator Paula Dockery to get on the ballot for Governor of Florida. Both Allison and Janet have a close personal relationship with Paula and feel she would be a great asset for the state of Florida. They are NOT asking that FSMTA endorse Paula. If after reading about Paula, (www.PeopleForPaula.com) or just as a personal favor to our lobbyists, you would download, sign and send in the petition they would be most grateful. The petition should be mailed to: Paula Dockery for Governor, PO Box 1527, Lakeland FL 33802-1527. There are 2 petitions per page…one for you and one for a friend. Thank you!

Political advertisement by Paula Dockery for Governor, Republican

Find FSMTA on Facebook!

Jessica — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:48:42 +0000

FSMTA has hopped on the social networking bandwagon! We have formed an FSMTA group on Facebook.com where people in the massage therapy world in Florida can interact. Join in discussions, share on the wall, make connections, and just have fun!

Follow this link to check it out:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49303458825#

Independent Contractor vs Employee

Jessica — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:09:29 +0000

Do you know your status? Are you an employee or independent contractor? Maybe you are referred to as an employee but you’re being treated like an independent contractor. Improperly treating an LMT as an Independent Contractor instead of an Employee is against the law and can lead to an IRS Audit, fines, penalties and payment of uncollected taxes. Know your rights as an LMT! A synopsis of these subjects along with sample contracts can be found here in the Members-only section of this website.

2010 FSMTA Annual Convention

Jessica — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:29:38 +0000

“Realize Your Potential” at the 2010 FSMTA Annual Convention & Trade Show July 7-11, 2010 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate!

The convention provides you the opportunity to earn up to 19 continuing education hours; network with educators, therapists, and vendors; attend a formal banquet and dance; enjoy great rates and amenities at a 4-star resort; and get great deals on products for your practice!

New this year: you can take the FSMTA Sports Massage Team Training class at convention! This class is a required part of becoming a FSMTA Sports Massage Team Member. Joining the team is a great way to network with athletes and gain new clients. Click here to learn more about the FSMTA Sports Massage Team.

Attend the convention to meet and learn from leaders in the massage therapy field - both in the classroom and in the exhibit hall. Plus, you can enjoy more social activities like the Thursday Night Welcome Party, Friday Night FSMTA Chapter Parties, and Saturday Night Banquet & Dance. Attendees are sure to walk away from convention with a new friend, a new idea, and a renewed passion for their profession!

The Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is a beautiful 4 -star/4-diamond resort that offers you an experience all on its own. And, FSMTA has secured great rates for convention attendees ($126/night - resort fee waived). The resort is located near Orlando Theme Parks like Disney, making the convention weekend suitable for a family vacation. The lazy river is a feature of the hotel not to be missed, along with their pristine golf course. You might even want to stay an extra day or two! Make your hotel reservation by calling the Omni directly at 800-843-6664 or visit the FSMTA group page.

Click here for the 2010 FSMTA Annual Convention & Trade Show Preliminary Program - this contains the schedule of events and registration information.

Online Registration Now Available! Log-in to your FSMTA membership profile or create a new profile to begin.

Click here to learn more about the Trade Show and to find out who is exhibiting in 2010.

Click here to look at pictures from the 2009 FSMTA Annual Convention & Trade Show.

2010 FSMTA Convention Exhibitors

Jessica — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 17:13:38 +0000

Join us at the 2010 FSMTA Trade Show for a day of shopping, learning, relaxing, and supporting the massage therapy profession. Admission is free!

As you walk through the FSMTA Exhibit Hall, you are presented with the rare opportunity to try out oils and creams, watch modality demonstrations, touch tools, flip through books and magazines, feel sheets, taste supplements, and ask the experts questions in person. You can also save money on shipping and take advantage of show only specials.

In the midst of this exciting and unique shopping experience is the Sanctuary. Here, you can relax with a 10 minute treatment for the face or feet. Your donation of $10 per treatment goes to a good cause, as all Sanctuary proceeds are donated to the Touch Research Institute.

As a special thank you for shopping with us, FSMTA holds Prize Drawings at 5:30 on Friday and Saturday. For every $10 you spend in the exhibit hall, you get a free prize ticket! Generous companies donate fantastic items for the drawings…You could even win a massage table!

While you are picking up your prize drawing tickets at the Hospitality Desk, you can stop by to get a relaxing chair massage by an FSMTA LMT.

To get more information about the companies who will be exhibiting at the FSMTA Trade Show this year, please follow their website links below:

ACE Massage Cupping 200
ACE Massage Cupping 202
Acucups Health and Beauty Therapy 716
Aura Visions 320
Bamboo-fusion 316
Barbara Brennan School of Healing 715
Barral Institute/Upledger Institute 600
BIOMATWORKS 703
BIOTONE 210
BIOTONE 212
Bodysite Builder 614
Bon Vital Professional Massage and Spa Products 309
Bon Vital Professional Massage and Spa Products 408
Center for Compassionate Touch LLC 611
China-Gel, Inc. 713
Comfort Craft, Inc. 609
Comfort Craft, Inc. 708
Core Products Int’l 811
Cranial Release Technique 711
CRYODERM/THERMODERM 511
CRYODERM/THERMODERM 513
CRYODERM/THERMODERM 515
CRYODERM/THERMODERM 517
Earth Angel Oils 312
Earthlite Massage Tables Inc./Stronglite Inc. 813
Earthlite Massage Tables Inc./Stronglite Inc. 815
EUROSSAGER - Professional Strength Massagers 111
Evzone Music 814
FSMTA 400
FSMTB 110
Inside Out Bodywear.com 802
I-SURANCE, LLC 714
It Works - Inches Gone 705
Jojoba Company 803
Kent Health Systems 509
Kent Health Systems 608
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins 619
LMT Success Group 209
LMT Success Group 308
Massage Envy 314
Massage Magazine 700
MASSAGENERD.com 217
MASSAGE PRO C.E. 211
Massage Today/MPA Media 519
Massage Today/MPA Media 521
Massage Today/MPA Media 618
Massage Today/MPA Media 620
Massage Warehouse 717
Massage Warehouse 719
Massage Warehouse 816
Massage Warehouse 818
Medical Electronics, Inc. 712
MOMENTUM98.com Relax FIR Saunas 219
MOMENTUM98.com Relax FIR Saunas 221
Mondazzi Books 718
Mondazzi Books 720
Myo-Breathe 214
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork 411
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork 510
NSR Inc 805
PAIN-Terminator/Golden Sunshine 310
Performance Health, the manufacturer of Biofreeze and Prossage Heat 500
Pine Island Publishers, Inc. 613
Pisces Productions 807
Pisces Productions 809
Pivotal Health Solutions/Custom Craftworks 610
Pivotal Health Solutions/Custom Craftworks 612
Premier Education Resources 707
Real Bodywork 616
Rossiter & Associates, Inc. 311
Rossiter & Associates, Inc. 410
Sacrowedgy 621
Sanctuary - presented by Massage Warehouse 817
Sanctuary - presented by Massage Warehouse 819
Sanctuary - presented by Massage Warehouse 821
Slipstream Therapy 318
SomaEnergetics 615
SomaEnergetics 617
Soothing Touch 409
Soothing Touch 508
Soundings of the Planet 701
Structural Energetic Therapy 204
Structural Energetic Therapy 206
Sunset Park Massage Supplies 810
Thumper Massager Inc. 804
UltraSports Massage Therapy 710
Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear 213
Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear 215

If you are interested in exhibiting at the 2010 FSMTA Annual Convention,
please visit the prospectus page of our website for details.