About | The MTBS Story

Medical Tattooing Billing Services Started by Tattoo Artists for Tattoo Artists

Why Jennifer Williams started a medical billing company for medical tattoo artists

I'm Jennifer Williams, a medical tattoo artist based in Orlando, Florida, with over a decade of experience. Like many paramedical tattoo artists in the USA, I recognized the potential coverage for medical tattooing services under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA).

Over the years, my colleagues and I attempted to navigate the complex insurance billing process, often with inconsistent results. However, stories of clients receiving full reimbursement for their payments to the artist fueled our determination. I advised my clients to request prior authorizations for medical tattooing to streamline their reimbursement process.

In 2021, one of my clients received a detailed email from an insurance representative outlining the step-by-step process for obtaining prior authorization and ensuring payment directly to me as the artist. This discovery marked a breakthrough moment for me.

As I tested this process with multiple clients over a year and a half, I realized that each insurance company had its own process to accomplish the goal of allowing the patient to use their benefits. Despite the challenges, I found consistent methods for patients to utilize their insurance benefits for medical tattooing.

After successfully navigating this process with national insurance companies like Cigna, Aetna, and United Healthcare, I enlisted experienced billers to refine the claim process. Even they were impressed by what I had achieved in navigating the approval process and receiving authorizations for medical tattooing services.

In early 2023, I extended my assistance to four colleagues and their patients, recognizing the need for formal agreements to represent both patients and artists when communicating with insurance companies. This led to the founding of Medical Tattooing Billing Services (MTBS).

Our growth has been remarkable. With marketing limited only to a booth at the Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals Convention in fall 2023, we onboarded over fifty-five paramedical tattoo artists and secured authorizations for over 400 patients across 27 US states in our first year of operation. Based on our current trajectory, we anticipate over 100 artists participating in our MTBS Provider Network by the end of 2024. This extensive experience positions us to challenge perceptions and eventually simplify the approval process with many insurance companies.

As the pioneering medical tattooing billing service in the United States, we've established strong relationships with major insurance companies like Aetna and Cigna. Our experience and personal connections enable us to navigate the complex process effectively. We still experience challenges such as delayed payments and understanding the approval process in new insurance companies we haven't worked with. If anyone says they have it all figured out and the process is quick and easy, they lack experience or they are not presenting the truth. Our track record speaks volumes about our unwavering commitment to revolutionizing the medical tattooing industry and ensuring seamless access to insurance-covered services for both artists and patients alike.

Our Mission for medical tattooing billing services

Championing Artists and Patients in the Medical Tattooing Industry

At Medical Tattooing Billing Services, our mission is to empower patients by facilitating the use of their in-network benefits for crucial medical tattooing procedures, including but not limited to breast tattooing and scar camouflage. 

We are dedicated to ensuring fair compensation for every Artist/Provider, recognizing their specialized expertise and commitment to excellence. 

Through our efforts, we aim to create a supportive environment where patients can access transformative care with ease and confidence.

Our Vision

Pioneering a Bright Future for Accessible, Comprehensive Patient Care

Our vision is to maintain our position as the foremost medical tattoo billing service provider, nurturing a thriving network of skilled artists and contented patients. We are committed to shaping a future where medical tattooing is easily accessible, highly esteemed, and acknowledged as a vital aspect of holistic patient care. Through ongoing expansion of our network and simplification of the insurance reimbursement process, we aspire to serve as a catalyst for transformation in the medical tattooing industry, fostering growth, cooperation, and enhanced patient outcomes.

Our Values

Upholding the Principles that Guide Our Work and Relationships