Acupuncture treatments are eligible for reimbursement!
I do not take insurance, but I am happy to give you a receipt! You can use the receipt to ask your health insurance company for reimbursement.
Nowadays, major health insurance companies cover acupuncture. However, you are probably limited to a plan and a certain number of visits in a calendar year. Your plan may also only cover acupuncture for specific issues, such as chronic low back pain.
Here is a list of a few health insurance companies who cover acupuncture treatments (but there are others):
Aetna
Banner Health
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Health Net
United Healthcare
In 2020, some government insurance programs added acupuncture to their list of covered benefits:
Medicare says it covers acupuncture for chronic low back pain. It covers up to 12 visits in 90 days. If there are signs of improvement, it covers for an additional 8 visits, for a maximum of 20 visits in one year. More information here. What they don’t specify is that the treatment has to be performed by a licensed acupuncturist working under the supervision of a provider that can bill medicare, such as an MD (which is rarely the case).
To find out if acupuncture is covered under your healthcare plan, please check with your health insurance directly about your benefits.
Here are some questions you might want to ask to your insurer:
Do you cover Acupuncture performed by a Licensed Acupuncturist?
If I pay out of pocket, how can I get reimbursed?
Do I need a referral from my Primary Care Physician?
Will the Acupuncture treatments I pay for count toward my deductible?
How many Acupuncture treatments am I allowed per year or per illness?
Flexible Spending Accounts and Healthcare Savings Accounts
These accounts, often available through your employer and made up of your own pre-tax dollars, usually reimburse for Acupuncture treatment. Speak to your employer about how to use this benefit.
