Some health insurance companies are now covering alternative medicine, offering a more holistic approach to healthcare. Many of these companies have been influenced by the growing demand for alternative therapies.
UnitedHealthcare covers acupuncture, chiropractic care, and massage therapy. Their coverage varies by plan and location.
Some people have reported positive results from using alternative medicine, such as reduced pain and improved mental well-being.
Health Insurance and Alternative Medicine
Health insurance coverage for alternative medicine varies widely, but some treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care are sometimes included in health insurance plans. Insurance companies often view alternative treatments like homeopathy and naturopathy as experimental, which means they're not always covered.
To determine if your health insurance covers alternative medicine, contact your insurer or review your insurance plan documents. You can also check for terms like "complementary medicine" or "integrative health" in your health plan, which may give you insight into coverage for treatments like chiropractic care or acupuncture.
Some alternative therapies require a referral from your physician, so be sure to ask about referral requirements. Out-of-network benefits may also be an option if your preferred practitioner isn't covered.
In the United States, many Americans use complementary health approaches, but the type of health insurance they have affects their decisions to use these practices. A recent study found that use rates for acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage rose, but the increase was more pronounced among those who didn't have health insurance.
If you're considering using a complementary or integrative approach and don't know if your health insurance will cover it, contact your health insurance provider to find out. Be sure to ask about coverage for your specific health condition, any referral requirements, and out-of-network benefits.
Some insurance companies in Europe, such as those in Switzerland, offer reimbursement for a range of alternative therapies, including homeopathy, acupuncture, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Here are some examples of insurance companies that support complementary and alternative medicine (CAM):
- Groupe Mutuel in Switzerland offers reimbursement for 46 CAM methods, including Reiki.
- Cigna in Germany offers coverage for chiropractic, therapeutic massage, and acupuncture.
- Health Partners in the United States offers coverage for acupuncture and chiropractic care.
These are just a few examples, and coverage can vary widely depending on the insurance company and the specific therapy.
Types of Alternative Medicine
Alternative medicine has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to holistic approaches to manage their health. Acupuncture, a practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain and stress, is one such treatment.
Chiropractic care, focused on spinal adjustments, is commonly used for back and neck pain. Insurance coverage for acupuncture and chiropractic care varies, but some health plans may cover these treatments.
Homeopathy, a system of homeopathic medicine using small doses of natural substances to stimulate the body’s healing process, is another alternative therapy that some people use. Naturopathy, which emphasizes natural remedies like dietary supplements and lifestyle changes, is also gaining popularity.
Here are some common types of alternative medicine:
- Bodywork, including massage therapy, reflexology, and spinal manipulation
- Energy therapies, such as reiki, healing touch, and therapeutic touch
- Mind and body practices, including guided imagery, hypnosis, meditation, music therapy, relaxation techniques, tai chi, and yoga
- Natural health products, including supplements, plant products, probiotics, and vitamins
Some alternative therapies, like acupuncture and chiropractic care, are more likely to be covered by insurance than others, such as homeopathy and naturopathy.
Insurance Companies That Support
Insurance companies that support alternative medicine can be found in various countries. In Europe, for example, some insurance companies reimburse therapies like homeopathy, anthroposophic medicine, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Many insurance companies in the US also cover alternative medicine. According to a recent survey, 14 out of 18 major HMOs and insurance providers cover at least 11 of 34 alternative therapies. Chiropractic, massage therapy, and acupuncture are the most-covered therapies.
Some insurance companies that support alternative medicine include CIGNA, which covers chiropractic, therapeutic massage, and acupuncture, and Health Partners, which covers acupuncture and chiropractic care. You can find more information on these insurance companies' websites.
If you're looking for a list of insurance companies that support alternative medicine, you can check out websites like moneyland.ch or krankenkassen.de. These websites provide a comparison of insurance companies that offer coverage for alternative medicine.
Here's a list of some insurance companies that support alternative medicine:
- CIGNA
- Health Partners
- Securvita
- Group Mutuel
Keep in mind that coverage and restrictions can vary widely depending on the insurance company and your specific health plan. Be sure to contact your insurance provider to find out what's covered and what's not.
Effectiveness and Cost
Complementary medicine can be effective in managing certain health issues. Acupuncture, for example, has shown benefits in helping with pain.
Mindfulness meditation has been found to be helpful with sleep problems. Tai chi may also aid in maintaining balance.
Research suggests that complementary medicine can be a valuable addition to traditional healthcare, but it's essential to explore the specific therapies and their benefits with a healthcare professional.
Effectiveness of Medicine
Many people get help from complementary medicine, and some research suggests that there are benefits of certain therapies.
Acupuncture may help with pain, and mindfulness meditation can help with sleep problems.
Tai chi may help with balance, and musculoskeletal pain is a common diagnosis among CAM providers, accounting for 99.3% of visits to chiropractors.
Musculoskeletal pain is also the top diagnosis for conventional providers, representing 21.0% of visits.
Female reproductive diagnoses, such as menopause treatment, are a significant reason for naturopathic physician visits, accounting for 18.2% of all visits.
Neurologic problems like headache are also common, making up 17.9% of visits to acupuncturists, and 13.2% of visits to naturopathic physicians.
Out-of-Pocket Spending
Out-of-pocket spending on complementary health approaches is a significant aspect of the effectiveness and cost of these practices. Americans spend an estimated $30.2 billion per year on out-of-pocket spending for complementary health approaches.
This amount represents 9.2 percent of all out-of-pocket spending by Americans on health care, which totals $328.8 billion. Out-of-pocket spending for complementary health approaches is a notable portion of the overall health care spending in the US.
Here's a breakdown of the estimated out-of-pocket spending on complementary health approaches:
- $14.7 billion for visits to complementary and integrative health practitioners such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists
- $12.8 billion on natural products
- About $2.7 billion on self-care approaches (homeopathic medicines and self-help materials, such as books or CDs, related to complementary health topics)
These figures demonstrate the significant investment Americans make in complementary health approaches, which may have implications for the effectiveness and cost of these practices.
Cam Utilization and Medical Expenditures
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization and medical expenditures are closely linked. According to the article, CAM providers accounted for 17.6% of outpatient provider visits. This is a significant portion of the total visits, suggesting that many people are seeking CAM services.
The cost of CAM services is relatively low compared to conventional care. Median per visit expenditures for CAM providers were $39.00, whereas conventional outpatient care costs $74.40 per visit. This highlights the potential cost-effectiveness of CAM services.
The 12% of the insured population in RUBS 4 and 5 were responsible for 33.5% of CAM expenditures. This group also accounted for 41.0% of outpatient conventional expenditures and 49.7% of total expenditures.
Here's a breakdown of the CAM expenditures by type of provider:
- Chiropractic: 10.9% of enrollees used chiropractic services
- Naturopathic medicine: 1.6% of enrollees used naturopathic medicine
- Acupuncture: 1.3% of enrollees used acupuncture
- Massage: 2.4% of enrollees used massage
These figures demonstrate the varying levels of CAM utilization and expenditures across different types of providers.
Geographic Variations
In Germany, the coverage of alternative medicine varies depending on the insurance company and region. Some insurance companies offer more comprehensive coverage than others.
For example, Securvita covers a wide range of CAM methods, including acupuncture, homeopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine, for preventive causes. This is listed on their website.
Techniker Krankenkasse, on the other hand, covers phytotherapy, homeopathy, and anthroposophic medicine, but the list of covered CAM methods is not as extensive as Securvita's.
Switzerland
Switzerland has a wide range of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) options available to its citizens.
In Switzerland, many health insurance companies offer coverage for CAM therapies. Helsana, for example, cooperates with a large network of over 14,000 recognized CAM therapists.
Helsana's list of covered CAM methods is extensive, with 72 methods listed on their website. These methods include various forms of therapy, from acupuncture to yoga.
You can choose from several insurance offers with Helsana, including SANA and COMPLETA. SANA offers coverage for a range of CAM therapies, while COMPLETA provides more comprehensive coverage.
Another health insurance company in Switzerland, SWICA, covers 100 CAM methods and offers two insurance plans: COMPLETA TOP and OPTIMA.
ATUPRI, a Swiss health insurance company, offers coverage for chiropractic and acupuncture therapies through their MIVITA REALA and MIVITA EXTENSA plans.
Visana, another Swiss health insurance company, covers 39 CAM methods and offers three insurance plans: KOMPLEMENTÄR I, II, and III.
Some Swiss health insurance companies specialize in specific types of CAM therapies. For example, INNOVA offers coverage for anthroposophic medicine and homeopathy through their SANVITA PLUS ONE and SANVITA PLUS TWO plans.
Other Swiss health insurance companies, such as SANITAS and ÖKK, offer a wide range of CAM coverage options. SANITAS covers 110 CAM methods and offers three insurance plans: CLASSIC, FAMILY, and JUMP. ÖKK covers 44 CAM methods and offers four insurance plans: FAMILY, FAMILY FLEX, OPTIMA, and PREMIUM.
These are just a few examples of the many health insurance companies in Switzerland that offer CAM coverage. It's worth researching and comparing different options to find the one that best suits your needs.
Germany
In Germany, several health insurance companies cover alternative medicine methods.
Securvita, a German health insurance company, covers a wide range of CAM methods, including acupuncture, homeopathy, and traditional Chinese medicine, for preventive causes.
Techniker Krankenkasse covers phytotherapy and homeopathy.
BKK VBU covers acupuncture, anthroposophic medicine, homeopathy, osteopathy, and herbal medicine.
EINSA EXPERT, EXPERT +, PRIMA, PRIMA +, and PRIMEX are insurance offers from Barmenia, a German health insurance company.
In Germany, it's worth checking the specific insurance plan to see which CAM methods are covered.
USA
In the USA, AETNA covers a range of alternative therapies, including acupuncture and chiropractic care.
AETNA's coverage is detailed on their website, specifically at www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/300_399/0388.html.
KAISER PERMANENTE takes a more comprehensive approach, covering not just acupuncture and chiropractic, but also naturopathy and massage therapy.
Their list of covered CAM methods is available on their website at www.ghc.org/html/public/services/alternative.
MEDICARE, on the other hand, only covers chiropractic care, as stated on their website at www.medicare.gov/coverage/is-your-test-item-or-service-covered.html.
BLUE CROSS also offers alternative therapy coverage, including acupuncture, chiropractic, and mind-body therapies.
You can find their list of covered CAM methods on their website at m.bcbstx.com/bam/blue_alternative.html or www.bcbs.com/.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get functional medicine covered by insurance?
To get functional medicine covered by insurance, search for in-network practitioners on your insurance plan's website using keywords like "Functional Medicine" or "Naturopathic" providers. This can simplify the process of getting services covered and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1513668/
- https://www.decent.com/blog/how-does-alternative-medicine-coverage-work-in-your-health-insurance
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/paying-for-complementary-and-integrative-health-approaches
- https://www.itcim.org/health-insurance-companies-that-reimburse-cam-treatments
- https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/hw/medical-topics/complementary-medicine-aa63785
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