Does EMPA Insurance Cover My Modality?

One of the most frequently asked questions by practitioners seeking insurance is whether their particular modality is covered.

It’s an important question - and one we’re always glad to help answer.

The easiest way to answer this question is to check our list of specifically named, covered modalities. Whether your practice is rooted in subtle energy, coaching, movement, or assessment techniques, there’s a good chance it’s already included!  You can view the full list of our pre-approved modalities here.

No need to worry if your modality is not on the list. EMPA was created to support the unique world of energy professionals with liability coverage that actually fits the work they do. As long as your work fits within the coverage guidelines, it is likely that your practice will be covered as well.

Don’t see your modality on the list? Not sure if you qualify for coverage? Don’t worry! Contact us and we will figure it out together.

Energy medicine is a broad and beautifully diverse field that can encompass a huge range of activities. We do our best to be clear about what is included in our policy and what falls outside of it. We want to help you determine whether your practice fits within the scope of the insurance. That is the key decision for you to make for yourself, whether EMPA insurance is the right coverage for you based on your practice.

This article is here to help guide you through how EMPA determines whether we would cover a modality or not.  We look at the common attributes of the modalities that we cover, what activities are not covered, and what to consider if a practice blends approaches.

Our ultimate goal is simply to help you make the best informed decision about how to protect your practice, your clients, and yourself.

What Kind of Modalities Does EMPA Cover?

To answer that question, let’s start by understanding what an Energy Medicine practice really is.

Energy Medicine activities are defined as the evaluation and manipulation of the human energy field, using the client's or practitioner's energy field to effect a change in the client’s energy field and overall mental emotional physical or spiritual health.

EMPA coverage is built around non-invasive, energy-based practices; modalities that support wellness by working with the body’s natural energy systems, often through gentle touch, movement, or intention.

We know that different energy medicine modalities and practices don’t always fit into a neat definition, and that’s okay! These practices are often intuitive, holistic, and deeply personal. What connects them is their focus on supporting the body’s natural balance, not diagnosing or treating medical conditions.

The general criteria a modality must meet to be eligible for coverage in our program:

• They do not involve diagnosis or prescriptions
• They support energetic balance, relaxation, or personal awareness
• They have clear ethical boundaries and processes to ensure client safety

In addition, all modalities should be practiced with clear professional standards, including a client agreement and a code of ethics.

It’s also important to note that, generally speaking, energy healing modalities are non-licensed. However, some fields – like massage therapy and reflexology – do require licensure in many states. If your modality is licensed, make sure you’re meeting all state regulatory requirements. Then, choose insurance coverage that reflects the scope of your work.

Here are some broad classifications of the types of modalities we cover with examples of some specific modalities:

• Subtle Energy Practices – like Reiki, Healing Touch, chakra balancing, and polarity therapy
• Verbal Modalities – including coaching, guided visualization, or mindfulness dialogue
• Assessment Techniques – such as muscle testing, energetic scanning, or biofeedback
• Non-invasive Bodywork – like acupressure, reflexology, or massage therapy
• Sensory Energy Work – sound therapy, light and color work, and non-ingested aromatherapy 
• Conscious Movement – yoga, breathwork, Qigong, and other slow, intentional movement when offered through an energetic lens

We cover hundreds of recognized energy-based modalities (our list above just highlights a few!).

What if you offer something new or different that isn’t on the list? If it meets the criteria above, reach out to us; we are happy to check if your unique modality is applicable for coverage.

Reasons Why Some Modalities Aren’t Covered

EMPA’s coverage is carefully structured to support energy medicine and holistic practitioners. While we deeply respect the wide range of healing modalities being practiced today, there are some that simply fall outside the scope of what our liability insurance is designed to protect.

Here are a few key reasons we may not cover a modality:

1. It Requires a Professional License to Practice

Modalities that fall under what’s considered “Professional Services” in the policy—licensed medical, psychological, or therapeutic professions—are excluded from coverage under our policy”. This includes services like chiropractic care, acupuncture, psychotherapy, nutrition counseling, social work, and midwifery.

Note: There are some licensed activities that could be covered, such as massage therapy.

2. It Involves Invasive or High-Risk Techniques

EMPA does not insure modalities that involve breaking the skin, entering the body, or using fire, needles, or sharp instruments. For example:

• Fire cupping (due to the use of flame during the session)
• Enemas or colonics (internal cleansing procedures)
• Acupuncture (needle-based technique requiring licensure)
• Lasers (equipment use with potential risk)
• Sweat Lodges and Ice Plunges

These techniques require specialized training and carry risks that fall outside our underwriting guidelines.

3. It is Primarily Fitness or Physically Manipulative

While movement can absolutely be part of energy healing, EMPA does not cover modalities that primarily serve as fitness training or physical manipulation, such as:

• Pilates (fitness training modality)
• Personal training (exercise-based instruction)
• Corrective body work (manual manipulation, like Chiropractic)

Movement-based work is covered only when it’s performed through an energy lens. Think of the motions of Qigong or Feldenkrais for energy flow; not fitness or self-defense.

4. Equine

Energy work for animals is a growing and meaningful part of many practitioners’ offerings. EMPA is proud to support modalities that involve non-invasive energy healing for companion animals—including dogs, cats, and other domesticated pets.

However, equine energy work is not included in our coverage. While we honor and respect this work, horses present a unique insurance risk from the carrier’s perspective.

What If I Modify, Combine, or Offer More than One Type of Modality?

It’s common for practitioners to blend or offer multiple approaches—and many of our members do! EMPA’s coverage is based on how a modality is classified, not how it’s applied.

So, if you’re combining techniques that are all rooted in covered practices, you’re likely covered.

If your work includes both covered and non-covered modalities, only the modalities that fall within EMPA’s coverage guidelines are protected under your policy.

For example, if your practice includes both yoga and personal training, you’d be covered for yoga—but not for the fitness-based elements of personal training, since that falls outside of EMPA’s scope.

Sometimes a small clarification makes a big difference. If you’re unsure whether your unique approach fits within EMPA’s scope, contact us! We’re always happy to take a closer look and help you make sure your practice is protected.

What’s Next? Finding the Right Support and Coverage

Your modality matters. So does your scope of practice, how you communicate with clients, and the way you care for your work behind the scenes. That’s what coverage is really about: support that fits the real shape of what you do.

If this article brought up questions—or if it helped clarify your next move—we invite you to take the next step.

You can download our Buyer’s Guide to explore what EMPA offers, how we define scope, and how to find a policy that reflects your path.

Your practice is worth protecting. We’re here to help you do it well.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide legal, financial or medical advice. The examples are general, and coverage may vary by policy. Always refer to your insurance provider or policy language for specific details, as the policy terms take precedence. For legal concerns related to your practice, consult an attorney. The information we’re sharing today is based on how our policy currently stands at the time of writing, and while our core principles tend to remain consistent, specific coverage may evolve over time.