Insurance Coverage
Insurance Coverage 101
for Acupuncture
Acupuncture insurance coverage is a common question. Many insurance plans offer coverage for acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture may also be covered if you sustained a workplace injury or were injured in a motor vehicle accident.
Commercial Insurance
Tang Acupuncture is an in-network provider with Aetna, BCBS, and UnitedHealthcare.
Please note that not all plans from these insurance companies cover acupuncture. Additionally, for most plans that do provide coverage, it is often limited to “pain management only.” To verify whether your plan covers acupuncture, contact your insurance’s member services. They can provide detailed coverage information and a list of in-network providers.
Tang Acupuncture also participates in the Veterans Community Care Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A referral from a VA Medical Doctor is required to receive acupuncture therapy. If you are a Veteran—or know one—interested in alternative therapy, contact the VA to discuss your health concerns and request a referral for acupuncture.
Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare began covering acupuncture for beneficiaries on January 21, 2020. Coverage is specifically limited to chronic lower back pain, defined as pain lasting 12 weeks or longer with no identifiable cause, and allows up to 12–20 sessions per year. This policy aims to provide alternatives to opioid-based pain management.
Tang Acupuncture is not a Medicare provider, as Medicare does not recognize acupuncturists as covered providers. For more information, please visit Medicare.gov.
Some Medicare Advantage plans through commercial insurance may include independent acupuncturists as in-network providers. For example:
- UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Medicare Advantage plans follow standard Medicare provider requirements. Tang Acupuncture is not a qualified provider.
- Aetna and Anthem Medicare Advantage plans may consider independent acupuncturists as in-network providers; however, some plans partner with American Specialty Health (ASH), with which Tang Acupuncture is not contracted.
Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts
Acupuncture is an eligible expense for:
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
- Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA)
Acupuncture is not eligible for reimbursement through:
- Limited Care Flexible Spending Accounts (LCFSA)
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSA)
Need Help Verifying Coverage?
If you’re unsure whether your plan covers acupuncture—or if there are limits on the number of treatments—contact your insurance’s member services or log in to your user portal. Tang Acupuncture also offers free assistance in verifying your coverage. Call us today at (770) 696-4675.