How do Combined Chiropractor/Acupuncture Plans Work?
Non-traditional medical services, such as chiropractic care and acupuncture services are growing more popular by the day — especially throughout California. That’s why it’s important to explore your options when purchasing a health insurance plan. Whether you currently use these services or not, there’s a chance you’ll find yourself considering them at some point along the way. When that day comes, you want to be confident that your insurance covers one, both, or some combination of the two. In many cases, a supplemental combined chiropractic and acupuncture plan is the best choice.

Combined Chiropractic and Acupuncture Insurance Plan Benefits

Sometimes referred to as complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, a combination of chiropractic care and acupuncture helps many people manage their chronic pain without turning to risky and/or addictive medicinal options for pain management.

These types of plans are typically supplemental and outside the standard health plan. They usually cover at least a portion of the costs of x-rays and other tests that may be required for adequate chiropractic care — without amassing huge sums of medical debt.

The benefits of insurance plans that cover a combination of both acupuncture and chiropractic treatments is that they help keep costs of visits lower, allow you to explore alternative treatment options without strict budgetary concerns.

Some combined chiropractic and acupuncture insurance plans offer discounted treatment for chiropractic and acupuncture services, while others pay for a good portion or all of the cost. Members of these plans have access to a network of acupuncturists and chiropractors. They also often receive discounts on related health products.

Acupuncture Services

It’s not enough to simply know that your insurance covers acupuncture. You need to know specific details about what is and isn’t covered by your insurance policy. Different policies, plans and companies will cover different types of services. Questions you might specifically ask before buying include questions like these:

  • How many visits are covered?
  • Are there any exclusions for acupuncture coverage?
  • How much will your copayments cost?
  • What percentage of treatment costs are covered by insurance?
  • Do you need a doctor’s referral in order for acupuncture care to be covered by your insurance?
  • Is there a deductible?
  • Are there additional fees or expenses for using an out-of-network acupuncturist?

Chiropractic Services

It’s always important to read the fine print on any insurance policy and ask for clarification if there are points you’re unsure about. With chiropractic services you may have a few additional or different questions to ask for clarity’s sake.

  • Is the co-payment the same for initial visits and follow up examinations?
  • Are x-rays and other lab tests covered by the insurance? What percentage?
  • Are prescribed appliances covered by insurance? What are the limitations on this coverage?
  • Do you need a physician’s referral?
  • Do you need to submit claim forms for reimbursement?

Restrictions/Exceptions

Some insurance companies have a wide range of exceptions and restrictions. When it comes to combined chiropractor/acupuncture plans, one common restriction is on the number of visits that are covered throughout a calendar year. Be careful that you fully understand this as many companies count both types of visits against the coverage limit.

For instance, if your plan covers 24 visits per calendar year and counts both types of visit toward that limit, you cannot visit your acupuncturist and your chiropractor twice a month each. You must either choose one to visit twice a month or visit both one time each month without paying the full cost of the visit out of pocket.

The Importance of Combined Chiropractic/Acupuncture Insurance

Perhaps the most important aspect to consider with combined chiropractic/acupuncture insurance is that it opens the doors to options for your treatment needs. Whether your problems relate to long-term pain management from illness, chronic pain, or temporary pain from an accident or injury, both treatment options offer drug-free solutions to deal with your pain.

Insurance is something you purchase hoping you’ll never need to use it. However, it’s a safety net between you and financial devastation when, or if, accidents, injuries, and long-term illnesses occur.

Combined chiropractic/acupuncture insurance may not weigh heavily upon your mind at the moment, but you’ll be glad you have the options it provides you with if the need ever arises.