Unlike conventional biomedicine, most acupuncture treatment in Iowa is not covered by your health insurance. This is due to the relative lack of data about how much acupuncture helps people at such a low cost and low risk level. We look forward to the time that acupuncture is recognized and rewarded as a legitimate part of the healthcare landscape in the US.
The best plan for you is to phone the customer service number on the reverse of your insurance card. If you need, we can advise you on what specific questions to ask them.
At the present time we do not submit insurance claims and do not accept payment by insurance companies for your care, except in the case of an auto injury or injured worker scenario.
The time and expense of processing insurance claims is more than our tiny office can provide at this time. We will be happy to supply you with the exact forms to turn in to your insurance company to get reimbursed by them for what you spend at our office. Our system easily generates those documents. Please tell the receptionist when you arrive that you would like to take an insurance receipt and she can have that for you when you leave.
AARP Medicare Plans and Medicare Supplement Plans by United Healthcare do sometimes cover acupuncture, but you should telephone them to get exact coverage details. There are differences between policies, and things change every year so call before you schedule your visit here to know what you can expect. We will ask you to pay for your visit and we will provide you the forms to turn in for reimbursement.
Other third party Medicare plans such as those sold by Humana, Cigna, Aetna, and in Iowa City, Health Alliance may provide acupuncture benefits as a perk. Call the number on the back of your card for more information.
Traditional Medicare from your government DOES cover acupuncture as of Jan 2021. When you phone Medicare for information they will tell you that acupuncture is covered when done by an “approved provider”. But ONLY a Medical Doctor or other Medicare provider such as a nurse practitioner or chiropractor may be reimbursed by Medicare as an “approved provider”. Licensed Acupuncturists are not able to be paid by Medicare unless they are under the “supervision” of a Medicare provider like a medical doctor who will submit the bill for them. There is no “provider type” for acupuncturists under Medicare and they are not “approved providers” at this time (fall 2022).
Acupuncturists in the United States are not a recognized healthcare provider by the Medicare system. We are working diligently as a group to change this, but it will literally take an act of congress, your House of Representatives, and your US Senate, to pass a bill to make American Licensed Acupuncturists be able to be paid to do acupuncture FOR YOU using your Medicare benefits.
Call your US congressperson and Senator to get more information and demand that your licensed acupuncturist be allowed to treat you under Medicare.
Veterans can receive care from us when referred by a VA provider. We will be providing this care under the VA Care in the Community Health Plan. Request a referral from your provider at the VA.
Unfortunately Wellmark BC/BS of Iowa does not cover acupuncture at this time under any circumstances.
Other health insurance companies may pay for your care. They may include United Healthcare, Aetna, and Cigna, as well as Blue Cross policies from other states besides Iowa. Again, call the number on the back of your card for more info and we’ll give you the forms to turn in for reimbursement after each visit.