Paying for Alternative Medicine Treatments

A growing number of Americans are finding relief for what ails them by turning to alternative medicine therapies, such as chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback.

Since alternative medicine falls outside the bounds of conventional medicine, its cost often is not covered by traditional health insurance. However, this is beginning to change, at least for some types of alternative medicine. If you want to pursue alternative medicine treatment, be sure to research all your options to cover the cost, including the following.

Check with Advocacy Organizations

Many major forms of alternative medicine have an advocacy group (such as the AAAOM or American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for the acupuncture industry and the ACA or American Chiropractic Association). Among other things, an advocacy group may be able to help you learn whether your state has any coverage requirements for alternative medicine and, if so, what they are.

Talk to your Employer

Check with your employer's human resources department to find out if your employer-provided health insurance covers any alternative health therapies. Many do, especially for such alternative medicine options as chiropractic treatments and/or acupuncture.

If your employer's health insurance coverage does not include alternative medicine treatments, ask your human resources representative the procedure for getting your employer to consider adding this benefit. You may need to provide information on the health benefits of the alternative medicine treatment you are advocating and its cost effectiveness.

Whether or not your employer-sponsored health insurance covers alternative medicine therapies, if you have a flexible spending account in which a portion of your pre-tax income is deposited for health care expenditures, you may be able to use this money to pay for some alternative medicine treatments. Check with your company's human resources department (and federal regulations) for details.

Call your Health Insurance Provider

Contact your health insurance provider to find out if your policy covers any alternative medicine treatments. If it does, be sure to get the information necessary to ensure payment to your alternative medicine provider. For example, find out if you need preapproval before treatment, if a referral from a primary care physician is required, if the number of visits is limited in any way, and if there are any restrictions on which providers you can see for treatment.

Talk to your Alternative Medicine Provider

If your health insurance policy covers the type of alternative medicine you want to use, let your alternative medicine provider know the details of your coverage including any restrictions, such as a limit on the number of visits covered within a defined timeframe. That way you and your health care provider can plan a treatment plan that meets your insurance policy's requirements while satisfying your needs as well.

If your health insurance policy does not cover the type of alternative medicine that you want to use, talk to your alternative medicine provider about ways to help you afford the cost. For example, you may be able to work out a plan that will allow you to pay for treatment over time or your provider may offer you a discount.

Sources:

Cathy Wong, altmedicine.about.com, 12 Most Common Questions About Insurance and Complementary/Alternative Medicine

nccam.nih.gov, Paying for CAM Treatment

en.wikipedia.org, Alternative medicine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michael Devitt, www.acupuncturetoday.com, Report: Insurance Coverage for Acupuncture on the Rise

www.fsafeds.com, Eligible Expenses Juke Box