how much does insurance cover? what's the typical amount per year?
It all depends on your plan.
Massage is part of the "Paramedical" coverage. Paramedicals generally cover massage, psychological services, physiotherapy, chiropractics, homeopathic, acupuncture, etc.
Plans either have a set dollar amount per type of paramedical (example massage would be $500 or $1,000 per person per calendar year) or paramedicals can have one dollar amount for all types paramedical coverage per calendar year.
Some plans require a doctor note for all or some services.
Paramedical coverage is detailed on your benefits booklet or just call your insurer and ask.
Per massage claims, most insurance companies allow you to process a claim on-line. They use an honor system in which you do not have to submit a copy of your massage receipt. However, they do conduct random audit checks and will request you to mail in a copy of the receipt. When you file a claim on line you will need to list the name of the massage company, the name of the therapist and his/her unique RMT identification number (all of this is on the receipt).
Is there a risk to the insurance company that they could be burnt for a fake massage? Yes. However the chance of being audited would prevent the majority of people from taking that risk. This setup is a huge cost savings for the insurance companies since they do not need to employ thousands of people to administer/process all the paper claims since the person making the claim has entered all of the information in the database for them via the online claim process.