Will Medicare Cover Acupuncture?

Acupuncture therapy is a method of pain relief involving the use of needles to stimulate affected areas of the body. It may seem like a procedure Medicare wouldn’t cover due to it being a form of alternative medicine. However, Medicare does provide coverage for this service within certain parameters.

When Will Medicare Cover Acupuncture?

Medicare covers acupuncture as long as it meets the criteria for the area being treated, the cause of pain, and the healthcare provider administering acupuncture therapy. Medicare also limits coverage to a certain number of sessions over a specific period of time.

What Kind Of Acupuncture Will Medicare Cover?

Medicare only covers acupuncture therapy for lower back pain. The back pain has to be the result of chronic lower back pain. In order for your back pain to be classified as chronic, it has to have no known cause and persist for a minimum of 12 months. This lower back pain can’t have an association with surgery or pregnancy. It can’t be the result of cancer spreading or any kind of disease.

What Are The Requirements For The Provider Administering Acupuncture?

You can’t get acupuncture from just anyone. Much like your pain, the provider has specific criteria to meet before Medicare will agree to cover your service.

Acupuncture must be done by a doctor (or any other licensed health care provider) with a degree in acupuncture or Oriental Medicine at the masters or doctoral level. This degree has to be from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine  The practitioner also has to be licensed in the state you’re getting the service in, and this license has to be unrestricted that’s also current and active.

How Does Medicare Cover Acupuncture?

Medicare Part B is responsible for covering acupuncture, as it is an outpatient procedure. Once you’ve paid your $233 deductible, Medicare will cover 80% of your acupuncture costs, but it won’t do this indefinitely.

Medicare provides coverage for up to 12 visits in a 90-day period. If your condition improves, Medicare extends coverage to 8 more sessions. At most, Medicare will cover 20 sessions over the course of 12 months.

We’ll Help You Get The Most From Medicare

If you have chronic lower back pain and are in need of coverage for acupuncture, look no further than ReLion Insurance Solutions. We can help you find an affordable Medicare policy with just one phone call. Call us today at (858) 999-2858 for more information.