Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine is a group of practices that fall outside mainstream medical care, such as acupuncture and homeopathy. Health insurers often classify chiropractic, acupuncture, and naturopathy as alternative therapies.

Most insurance plans in the United States exclude coverage for herbal supplements and energy healing methods like Reiki. Medicare covers limited chiropractic services but excludes massage therapy and acupuncture for most conditions except chronic low back pain.

Blue Cross Blue Shield’s standard plans do not reimburse homeopathic treatments or traditional Chinese medicine consultations. Data from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health show 38% of adults in the US used some form of alternative therapy in 2022, according to a report from Your Insurance Info.

Insurance companies require documentation proving medical necessity before approving alternative treatments like biofeedback. Out-of-pocket costs for alternative medicine averaged $510 per American adult annually in 2021, according to Statista.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) sometimes allow reimbursement for select therapies with a doctor’s prescription. Coverage for licensed practitioners–such as acupuncturists or naturopathic doctors–varies by state, with Washington mandating broader benefits than Texas.

Some major insurers offer discounted rates on yoga classes and chiropractic adjustments as part of wellness programs rather than as covered medical benefits.