Holistic Care and Insurance Coverage
By now you’ve probably discovered holistic medicine, and you might be interested in making some appointments and learning more about how you might benefit from it. After all, who doesn’t want to schedule a massage to help ease lower back tension? However, it’s probably around this time that you’re also wondering, are holistic medicines covered by insurance?
Despite the fact that nearly one-third of all Americans use some form of holistic medicine, the majority of the associated costs are typically not covered by insurance. The good news is that more and more insurance companies are starting to see the benefits of providing alternative care options and it’s becoming more likely that some holistic medicines will be included in your coverage. If they don’t, however, there are a couple of things you can try to help get your insurance provider to cover holistic medical costs.
Get a Referral
If your primary care provider is a traditional medical doctor, they can make a referral to a holistic medical practice which could help immensely. Insurance companies might be slow to seeing the many benefits of alternative care, but many doctors are starting to come around. If your doctor will write you a referral, some insurance companies will accept their recommendation as a covered treatment.
Medical Necessity
If you can make a solid case about why your treatment is medically necessary, then insurance companies are more prone to cover associated expenses. The insurance company is the one who gets to decide what is a necessity, but your doctor can give their input about this.
Quality of Life
You may also tell your insurance provider that your quality of life is compromised without getting certain alternative treatments. For example, perhaps you are unable to walk more than a block without experiencing pain. If chiropractic adjustments help ease the pain, you could make the case that you need adjustments in order to live a more normal life.
Request Reimbursement
The good news is that even if alternative care is not covered upfront, many insurance providers may reimburse you for expenses related to holistic medicines. This will depend both on the type of plan you have and also how you request a reimbursement. You can use some of the reasons listed above to help request a reimbursement. The most important thing to remember is to always get a receipt for any medical treatments received.
Most holistic practitioners are used to working with insurance providers, and will help you navigate the process. If you’re interested in exploring alternative health care options and have questions about insurance coverage, call Coastal Natural Health to talk to someone today.