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Acupuncture is a form of treatment that places needles on your back or even other parts of your body. It is a common treatment for back pain and arthritis, as well as headaches and migraines.
So a common question many people have is, “does Medicare cover acupuncture?” In this article, we answer that question in clear, plain English. You will also find the average costs of acupuncture and other helpful info.
The short answer is yes; Medicare will cover the cost of acupuncture. But not 100% of the time. As is often the case with Medicare, certain conditions have to be met in order for Medicare to pay for your acupuncture. Below we look at what these are so you know what to expect.
Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) provides coverage for acupuncture. Coverage for acupuncture treatment is provided by Medicare Part B.
Medicare Part B covers 12 acupuncture sessions within 90 days. However, Medicare Part B may cover up to 20 sessions of acupuncture treatment in a year. It may cover those additional 8 sessions if you are showing improvement during your acupuncture treatment.
However, you must meet some conditions for Medicare Part B to provide coverage for your acupuncture treatment. These conditions consist of the following:
Medicare Part B only provides coverage for acupuncture treatment for chronic lower back pain. Once approved by Medicare Part B, they will cover 80 percent of the costs of your acupuncture treatment. You will pay for the remaining 20 percent.
Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) also provide coverage for acupuncture. They cover everything Original Medicare covers but usually also provide some additional benefits. However, exactly what Part C plans cover and what your out-of-pocket costs are will vary depending on the specifics of your plan.
Because Medicare Part C plans must provide coverage for everything Original Medicare covers, all Part C plans provide coverage for acupuncture treatment for chronic lower back pain. However, some Medicare Part C plans may offer additional coverage for acupuncture treatment to treat other conditions.
The first acupuncture session usually costs around $120 to $300. Later sessions average between $75 and $300.
Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.
This article is part of our series on “What does Medicare cover?”
Also, you can check out other articles in this series including: Does Medicare cover home health?