Alternative Medicine and Insurance
Best Health Insurance Options for Alternative and Holistic Care
Jul 21, 2007
Alternative medicine, holistic wellness and homeopathic remedies are becoming more and more commonplace. The increased awareness about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle has resulted in a greater awareness about holistic wellness and a renewed interest in alternative medicine. Health providers that specialize in alternative medicine therapies aren’t a new concept; for centuries people have been relying on homeopathic and natural or alternative cures to their ailments.
Alternative Medicine and Insurance
But there’s a new awareness of how living a healthy lifestyle can increase longevity, prevent illness and disease and perhaps most importantly, make people feel better every day. In response, people are shifting from a strict reliance on traditional medicine to alternative therapies. As people look to holistic wellness, doctors and therapies to cure what ails them, insurance companies struggle to keep up with customer demands. The question everyone wants to know: When it comes to alternative health medicine, will insurance companies ever catch up?
Holistic Health Insurance Coverages
Find alternative medicine insurance to cover or partially cover a few aspects of holistic wellness and healing therapies:
- People who visit a chiropractor to support their holistic wellness and to get healing therapy might be able to find some insurance coverage;
- Acupuncture is an alternative medicine covered by a number of health insurance companies;
- Some of the best holistic health insurance companies provide coverage for healing massage therapy and wellness treatments.
Save Money on Holistic Wellness Treatments
Before going to an alternative provider, find out if there is any coverage from the current health insurance company for holistic wellness treatments. Ask for ideas on the best ways to save money on office visits and healing therapies. Some of the best ways to save money at holistic and homeopathic providers when traditional health insurance doesn’t provide any coverage:
- “Partial coverage” for alternative medicines and therapies often means health insurance companies will provide customers with a discount card that can be used with participating therapists to receive 20-30% off holistic wellness services. It’s not much, but at least it’s something. Check with medical insurance providers to see if they partner with holistic health providers to provide discounts.
- Talk with holistic wellness providers and explain that there is no health insurance to cover the cost of office visits. They may be able to offer an uninsured discount.
- If homeopathy, holistic or alternative medicine treatments haven't started but may be needed, call around and ask providers in the area about pricing. Comparison shopping can help people find the best deal.
Weigh costs with referrals from friends and family before you decide where to go for treatments.
Holistic and Homeopathic Treatment Considerations
Additional questions to ask a health insurance company before receiving holistic or homeopathic treatments:
- Find out if there are exclusions, like a pre-set number of office visits for a specific condition.
- Determine if co-payments are required, and if so, the amount to visit any holistic provider.
- Make sure to ask the medical insurance provider if a referral from a primary care doctor is required before seeing an alternative medicine provider.
Get coverage for alternative medicine therapies from an employer’s health insurance provider. Make sure the benefits manager at an employer knows about the need for alternative medicine coverages, and ask them to consider health insurance that provides coverage for holistic wellness and healing therapies. Changes can only be made if health insurance issues are brought to their attention.
Learn more about alternative medicine health care options in Victoria Anisman-Reiner's Natural and Alternative Medicine area of Suite101.
