Paying for Acupuncture in 2020
There have been a lot of changes in acupuncture insurance coverage and payments over the past year—and that’s a great thing! As acupuncture becomes more and more recognized and proven effective by the World Health Organization, major insurance companies are regularly expanding their coverage options.
I’ve tried to share updates as they come in, but new patients always have questions about their coverage, expenses and the types of insurance we accept. It can feel pretty overwhelming. I picked the picture with this blog on purpose—it has nothing to do with insurance or paying for acupuncture, but let’s make it our goal to get you feeling that good the minute you start thinking about scheduling an appointment!
To do that, I’ve pulled together some helpful (and updated) insurance information for you. The best part is that it’s more coverage than ever!
Read: The Nuts and Bolts of Paying for Acupuncture
The information above will get you started, but there have been some changes since the last time we talked about insurance coverage. Two big things are new:
We now accept UnitedHealthcare! And continue to accept Excellus, BlueCross BlueShield, MVP Health Care and some Cigna plans. Please be sure to check with your insurance provider before your appointment—not all plans cover acupuncture, but many now do.
If you have Excellus Medicare Advantage, your acupuncture visits are now part of your plan. Medicare Advantage covers 50% of the cost of 10 acupuncture visits per year PLUS 20 visits per year for chronic low back pain. This is great news for patients worried about out-of-pocket costs! As with all insurance, you’ll want to confirm your coverage with your provider before your first visit.
Some other key takeaways to help you manage your acupuncture coverage and expenses:
If you have a high-deductible plan and have met your deductible, your insurance should pay for your acupuncture treatments in full. If you haven’t met your deductible, we can talk about discounted rates that will apply toward your limit for the year.
Plan ahead! Always check your coverage before your first appointment. Then, we can work together to minimize your costs and maximize your treatment.
Navigating insurance coverage and expenses for any wellness visit is tricky, especially as coverage and insurance guidelines change quickly or year-to-year. So don’t be afraid to ask questions! Just like your treatment itself, my goal is always to help you feel your best—and that includes helping minimize the financial uncertainty.
In health and wellness,
Julie