Acupuncture and Health Insurance

We are happy to bill health insurance companies for patients who have acupuncture benefits that cover their diagnosis. Please read our FAQ below for more information if you plan to use your health insurance. We require 72 hours to verify your benefits.

Will my insurance pay for acupuncture treatments? Maybe. We require payment at the time of services and need at least 72 hours to verify benefits. If you schedule an appointment for tomorrow, you will have to pay out of pocket until we can verify that you have acupuncture benefits, and your condition is covered. 

A few insurance companies offer coverage under certain plans. Some large employers, and companies from out of state have corporate policies that offer benefits, but all plans are different. We strongly suggest you call the number on the back of your insurance card to verify your personal coverage and that acupuncture is covered for what you want treated. 

Most patients without coverage can use their HSA and Flex spending accounts for acupuncture. We also provide Superbills with billing codes for so patients can file on their own and get reimbursed for treatment. 

Does Remedy file insurance claims? We are currently in network and file claims with Aetna and United Healthcare for those patients with acupuncture coverage. However, not all treatments will be covered by insurance. When we do file, your insurance company only covers the conditions they deem treatable with acupuncture. You can call the number on the back of your insurance card or call the office if you have questions about your condition and whether it will be covered.

Does Blue Cross and Blue Shield cover acupuncture? Remedy currently offers our BCBS patients a 20% discount on all services. BCBS NC does not credential licensed acupuncturists so you will have to pay out of pocket with a 20% discount. We will provide you with the paperwork to file on your own for reimbursement. 

Can Remedy Clinic bill Medicare for my acupuncture?

No. Remedy Clinic is a small business owned by our acupuncturist. We unfortunately have no pathway to bill Medicare. Licensed acupuncturists in the United States are not recognized as providers by Medicare. Even though Medicare approves acupuncture as a service provided by acupuncturists, there is no pathway for us to file claims on your behalf. Thank you for understanding.

We are happy to provide you with a Superbill and a copy of the form that Medicare requires for you to file on your own for reimbursement. There is no guarantee that you will be reimbursed.

PS- please contact your Representative in Congress and encourage them to support the “Medicare for Seniors Act”. When Congress passes this bill, we will be able to file for you with Medicare. We are advocating for this on behalf of seniors and sincerely hope it will be passed soon.

When I called my insurance company (Aetna, UHC, UMR, etc.) they said you were in network and that I could use my Medicare benefit to receive acupuncture from you. My insurance company told me that I only have to pay a co-pay or co-insurance. 

We understand that patients are being misinformed by the health insurance representatives that they get on the phone. We are a privately owned small business that only employs acupuncturists, not medical doctors; and as such we are not in the Medicare system. If Medicare is your primary insurance coverage, we cannot file claims on your behalf because we have no pathway to bill Medicare.  Please call your health insurance company back and let them know that they are mistaken.

My friend with Medicare is getting acupuncture and they don’t have to pay out of pocket. How are they able to have their claims filed? 

Acupuncturists who work at hospitals, clinics, facilities, or other small businesses that are already in the Medicare system have a pathway to file through doctors they have on staff.