Alternative Medicine & Insurance
Best Health Insurance Options for Alternative & Holistic Care
More and more people are seeking out alternative medicine and holistic therapy to cure what ails them without benefits of health insurance coverage.
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. But there’s a new awareness of how living a healthy lifestyle can increase longevity, prevent illness and disease and perhaps most importantly, make you 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?
You can find alternative medicine insurance to cover or partially cover a few aspects of holistic wellness and healing therapies:
- If you go to a Chiropractor to support your holistic wellness, you 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 massage therapy.
Before you start seeing an alternative provider, find out if you have any coverage from your health insurance company, and ask them for ideas on the best ways to save money on your office visits and therapies.
Best ways to save money at holistic and homeopathic providers when traditional health insurance doesn’t provide you with any coverage:
- “Partial coverage” for alternative medicines and therapies often means health insurance companies will provide you with a discount card that you can use with participating therapists to receive 20-30% off holistic wellness services. It’s not much, but at least it’s something. Check with your medical insurance company to see if they partner with holistic health providers to provide you with a discount.
- Talk with your holistic wellness providers and explain that you don’t have health insurance to cover the cost of your visits. They may be able to offer you an uninsured discount.
- If you haven’t started homeopathy, holistic or alternative medicine treatments, call around and ask providers in your area about pricing. Comparison shopping can help you find the best deal.
Weigh costs with referrals from friends and family before you decide where to go for treatments.
Additional questions to ask your insurance company before you begin receiving holistic or homeopathic treatments:
- Find out if there are exclusions, like a pre-set number of office visits for your condition.
- Determine if co-payments are required, and if so, the amount to visit your holistic provider.
- Make sure to ask your medical insurance company if you need to get a referral from your primary care doctor before you start seeing an alternative medicine provider.
Working for change: Find out how to get coverage for alternative medicine therapies from your employer’s health insurance provider.
If you have health insurance through an employer, make sure your benefits manager knows of your interest in alternative medicines, and ask them to consider health insurance that provides some coverage you can use. 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.
Talk back with a writer: tell Lisa Nichols about your experiences with alternative medicine and insurance.
