Does United Health Care Cover Accupuncture?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Medicare doesn’t cover acupuncture (including dry needling) for any condition other than chronic low back pain

. After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

How Much Does Medicare pay for 97810?

Based on existing relative value units and the 2020 Medicare conversion factor of $36.086, primary code 97810 (first 15 minutes) should be reimbursed at

$38 in the office setting

, while add-on code 97811, which covers each additional 15-minute increment, will be paid at $28 (All fees par, not adjusted for locality).

Is cupping covered by Medicare?

Does Medicare Cover Cupping?

When cupping is performed by a licensed massage therapist or acupuncturist who is within a Medicare Advantage network, your plan may provide some coverage

. However, alternative treatments such as cupping aren’t typically covered by original Medicare.

Is UnitedHealthcare same as UnitedHealthcare?


UnitedHealthcare is the health benefits business of UnitedHealth Group

, a health care and well-being company working to help build a modern, high-performing health system through improved access, affordability, outcomes and experiences.

Why does Medicare not pay for acupuncture?

Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Acupuncture? Mostly, Medicare doesn’t cover acupuncture (outside of relief for chronic lower back pain)

because this treatment is still considered naturopathic care

. For those with chronic pain in other places, you’ll likely need to see a pain management specialist.

What is the Medicare approved rate for acupuncture?

How much does Medicare pay for acupuncture? Medicare pays

80%

of the approved amount for your acupuncture services. If Original Medicare is your only coverage, you’ll pay the remaining 20% after meeting your deductible. Say your acupuncture provider typically charges $200 for an acupuncture treatment.

Does Medicare cover acupuncture performed by a chiropractor?


Medicare doesn’t cover other services or tests a chiropractor orders

, including X-rays, massage therapy, and acupuncture (unless the acupuncture is for the treatment of chronic low back pain).

What CPT codes can an acupuncturist bill?

  • 97810 Initial Acupuncture. Initial 15-minute insertion of needles, personal one-on-one contact with the patient. …
  • 97811 Subsequent Unit of Acupuncture. …
  • 97813 Initial Acupuncture with Electrical Stimulation. …
  • 97814 Subsequent Unit of Acupuncture with Electrical Stimulation.

Does Medicaid pay for acupuncture?


Medicaid may cover acupuncture for beneficiaries requiring treatment for chronic low back pain

. Coverage for complementary therapies such as acupuncture varies according to state, and only Oregon and Minnesota include acupuncture in their Medicaid coverage as of 2021.

Will Social Security pay for acupuncture?

A.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will cover acupuncture for chronic low back pain under section 1862(a)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act

.

What conditions are best treated with acupuncture?

  • Dental pain.
  • Headaches, including tension headaches and migraines.
  • Labor pain.
  • Low back pain.
  • Neck pain.
  • Osteoarthritis.
  • Menstrual cramps.
  • Respiratory disorders, such as allergic rhinitis.

Does acupuncture do anything?

Acupuncture points are believed to

stimulate the central nervous system

. This, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being.

Is UnitedHealthcare better than Kaiser?

Kaiser Permanente:

Higher Medicare Star Ratings

For 2021, UnitedHealthcare earned an overall Medicare Star Rating of 3.5 stars. Three stars is considered average, and a 4-star or 5-star rating is considered to be top rated.

Is UnitedHealthcare part of Covered California?

In 2016 UnitedHealth joined 11 other health insurance carriers to offer plans in the California State Exchange:

Covered California

. It was short lived. They announced in May of 2016 that they would be leaving California’s individual market including Covered California in 2017.

What companies does UnitedHealthcare own?

The company divides its operations into

UnitedHealthcare, its benefits branch, and Optum

, which is further divided into subcategories for OptumRx, OptumInsight, and OptumHealth. UnitedHealth Group is the largest healthcare company in the world by revenue.

Is there any science to acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a treatment that dates back to around 100 BC in China. It is based on traditional Chinese concepts such as qi (pronounced “chee” and considered life force energy) and meridians (paths through which qi flows).

Multiple studies have failed to demonstrate any scientific evidence supporting such principles

.

How long does it take to feel better after acupuncture?

Acupuncture has a short term effect. The period of time you will feel its therapeutic benefits is around

3-4 days

. If you are having it only and your problem isn’t chronic, you can have it once a week.

Does acupuncture work on Vertigo?


Acupuncture demonstrates a significant immediate effect in reducing discomforts and VAS of both dizziness and vertigo

.

Is acupuncture the same as needling?


The tool used for dry needling and acupuncture is the same

. Both practices use acupuncture needles, which are solid filiform needles. However, where dry needling and acupuncture differ is the technique and theory for how and where the needles are placed.

Does Medicare cover acupuncture for migraines?

People might also benefit from the effects of acupuncture if they have migraine headaches. At present,

Medicare funds up to 12 sessions of acupuncture treatment for those with chronic lower back pain

.

What is acupuncture of the ear called?

It’s called

auricular acupuncture

. This is a type of auriculotherapy, which describes any acupressure or acupuncture treatment that’s limited to your ears.

When did Medicare began covering acupuncture?

Medicare began covering acupuncture in

January 2020

, but only for chronic lower back pain. Medicare Part B covers up to 12 acupuncture visits in 90 days for beneficiaries with the condition. Original Medicare — Part A and Part B — does not cover acupuncture treatments for any other condition.

Does Medicare cover physical therapy?


Yes. Physiotherapy can be covered by Medicare so long as it’s a chronic and complex musculoskeletal condition requiring specific treatment under the CDM

. Medicare coverage for physiotherapy for chronic and complex conditions covers 85% of a $62.50 service for a rebate of $54.60, as of November 2020.

Does Medicaid cover acupuncture CT?

To be eligible for reimbursement under Medicaid, the acupuncturist must be licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and enroll as an independent acupuncturist with HUSKY Health.

Acupuncture services will be covered for all members under HUSKY A, C, and D.

How do you bill for acupuncture?

Bill a new patient for their first acupuncture visit using

CPT codes 99201 to 99204

. E/M services can be billed for periodic follow-up evaluations (every 30 days or every sixth visit using CPT codes 99211 – 99214) with established acupuncture patients.

Does acupuncture need a modifier?


There’s nothing about acupuncture and manual therapy that will require a 59

. So if you’re putting a 59 with it, there’s no absolute necessity for it. In fact, it may cause the claim to be denied. So as a general rule, the modifiers you’re going to use as an acupuncturist are going to be 25 on exam codes in GP.

How do you document acupuncture?

The acupuncturist documents the insertion of each needle

using the meridian acronym and the point number

. For example, if a needle is inserted on the 67th point of the bladder meridian on both the left and right sides of the body, the acupuncturist will document B-BL67 in the patient’s record.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.