Does health insurance cover acupuncture?

Most insurance plans do not cover acupuncture yet. However, some policies are beginning to include acupuncture because of its cost effectiveness as a treatment and because consumers have shown a willingness to pay for it out of pocket. The web site www.acupuncture.com includes a list of insurers that cover acupuncture, many of which are on the west coast. In New England, some of the large insurance providers are looking closely at consumer demand for acupuncture and are offering discounted plans. Unlike covered services, the insurance companies dont pay for acupuncture services; instead they require participating practitioners to discount their services for subscribers. Some companies and unions with self-insured plans are funding coverage for their members. In some cases injuries sustained while on the job or in a motor vehicle accident may be covered for acupuncture care under workers compensation or automobile insurance policies. A bill currently under consideration in Congress ...  more