An increasing number of insurance companies and managed-care organizations are covering complementary and alternative medicine, fueled by consumer demand and a growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits and cost-effectiveness.
A recent survey of 18 major HMOs and insurance providers, including Aetna, Medicare, Prudential, and Kaiser Permanente, found that 14 of them covered at least 11 of 34 alternative therapies.
Chiropractic, massage therapy, and acupuncture are the three most-covered therapies followed by naturopathic medicine. Other therapies that are increasingly being included are herbal remedies, homeopathy, mind-body stress management, and meditation.
1. How do people pay for complementary and alternative therapies?
Most people pay for complementary and alternative medicine services and products themselves.
An increasing number of health plans offer some coverage of complementary and alternative medicine, however, it tends to be limited and varies from state to state.
2. How can I find out if there are any laws in my state about insurance coverage of a therapy I’m interested in?
You can try contacting the national professional association for that type of therapy, for example, associations for acupuncturists.
Many of these associations monitor the insurance coverage and reimbursement for their specialty.
3. I have health insurance. If I am interested in obtaining treatment from a practitioner, what financial questions should I ask?
First, you need to be informed about your health insurance plan. Does it offer any coverage of complementary and alternative medicine treatments? If so, what are the requirements and limits? For example, does the plan limit the conditions it will cover, require complementary and alternative medicine services be delivered by specific practitioners (such as a licensed medical doctor or practitioners in the company’s network), or cover only services if that plan determines to be medically necessary? Read your plan carefully, including the limits and exclusions. It’s a good idea to check with the insurance company before you seek treatment.
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