| As acupuncture becomes more popular, accepted, | | | | but sometimes it can be worth asking to find out. |
| and understood, more insurance companies are | | | | 5) Will I have any out of pocket expenses, such as a |
| beginning to pay for acupuncture treatments. | | | | deductible or co-pay? |
| Insurance companies are starting to recognize that | | | | Sometimes you may need to cover a certain amount |
| acupuncture has great therapeutic effects and can | | | | of the claim for each visit or a certain amount before |
| be less costly long term for most patients and the | | | | the insurance begins coverage. It is worth asking so |
| insurance company itself. Most insurance companies | | | | you can have clear financial expectations for your |
| would prefer to pay a few hundred dollars now for | | | | visits. |
| acupuncture treatments as oppose to several | | | | 6) If my insurance does not cover acupuncture, can I |
| thousands of dollars later for an expensive surgery or | | | | use my health savings account to pay for |
| hospital stay. There are some basic questions that | | | | treatments? |
| you can research and ask your insurance company | | | | If your insurance does not cover acupuncture, you |
| before beginning treatment that may help save you | | | | may be able to use your pre-tax health savings |
| money. | | | | account debit cards to help cover the cost of |
| 1) Does your policy cover acupuncture? | | | | treatments. You can check with your employer or |
| Some insurance companies may cover most of the | | | | administrator of your health savings plan to make |
| payment, some will cover partial payment, and some | | | | sure before beginning treatments. Some credit card |
| offer discounts if you see an in-network practitioner. | | | | machines can process health savings account cards |
| It is important to note that insurance usually does | | | | the same as any other credit card. |
| not cover herbs or supplements that may be | | | | It is also important to consider that some |
| recommended by your practitioner for your specific | | | | acupuncturists do not directly bill your insurance for |
| condition. Even if your insurance only offers discounts | | | | you. The practitioner may complete what is called a |
| for seeing a specific practitioner, the discount can be | | | | "super bill," and give it to the patient to bill the |
| as much as 25% with some insurance companies and | | | | insurance directly. This may be convenient for some |
| can really help save you a lot of money on your | | | | people and not for others. Some patients may |
| treatments. | | | | consider it inconvenient to learn how to bill their |
| 2) Are there specific practitioners that are in-network | | | | insurance and then wait for reimbursement. You can |
| for your insurance? | | | | always ask the practitioner if they use a billing |
| Some acupuncturists are contracted with specific | | | | service, have an in-house billing person, or leave it to |
| insurance companies and some are not. Just like | | | | the patient to bill their insurance. |
| seeing an out of network doctor can lead to an | | | | Using your insurance to help pay for alternative |
| expensive bill, so can an out of network | | | | healthcare can help decrease your out-of-pocket |
| acupuncturist. Sometimes, you can even log onto | | | | costs, but you need to be aware of your coverage |
| your insurance companies website and find an | | | | and limits of your insurance plan. If you approach it |
| acupuncturist in the same way you would find a new | | | | with same care of choosing a personal physician or |
| doctor. | | | | specialist, you can help save yourself a lot of time |
| 3) How many treatments will my insurance cover? | | | | and money spent. |
| Some insurance plans specify the number of | | | | Lastly, even if your insurance company does not |
| treatments that they will cover and some do not. | | | | cover acupuncture, it does not mean that you should |
| Sometimes, insurances will cover a specific number of | | | | hold off treatments and continue to suffer from |
| treatments of chiropractors, massage therapists, and | | | | your condition or symptoms if acupuncture and |
| acupuncturists combined. | | | | Chinese medicine can help make a difference for you. |
| 4) Will it cover my specific condition? | | | | Some clinics may offer cash discounts, discounts for |
| Most of the time insurance companies cannot disclose | | | | seniors, public servants, specific employers, or |
| what conditions they cover and which ones they do | | | | another association that you belong. |
| not. It may or may not cover your specific condition, | | | | |