Some patients choose to pay for acupuncture at time of service because it is outside of their insurance plan benefits.
Some patients have acupuncture as a covered benefit in their health insurance plans. I am an in-network provider for the following, and can usually bill these payers directly:
- HealthPartners
- Medica
- UnitedHealthCare
- Humana (Low Back Pain and similar conditions only)
- BCBS--most plans (excluded from Platinum Blue and Medicare Advantage)
- Minnesota Health Care Programs (MN Medicaid and MNCare)
- VA Community Care Programs
Medicare does not cover acupuncture as a benefit when provided by independent Licensed Acupuncturists. Medicare coverage for low back pain may only be filed when the services are conducted under the supervision of an MD. Supplemental policies follow this same guidance, with the exception of Humana and Medica, which I can bill. If you have a secondary policy to Medicare, you may have acupuncture benefits.
Worker's Compensation cases or Private Injury (automobile) insurance cases are no longer accepted. A Superbill can be provided to assist with your reimbursement submission. For other insurances, I can bill these payers directly if you have out of network benefits.
Acupuncture is a qualified medical expense for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) per IRS publication 502. Patients are responsible for checking on the specific rules of their Flex Spending Account (FSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) prior to using such cards.
Payments
Accepted payment methods for treatments, copayments, or supplements include check or cash, HSA/FSA/HRA cards and credit cards,