What It Is
Acupuncture or Acupressure
What's Covered
Neither Medicare Part A nor Medicare Part B covers any acupuncture or acupressure, even if performed by a physician or other provider whose other medical services are covered by Medicare.
If you have a Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plan: If you have a Medicare Part C plan, also called a Medicare Advantage plan, it may cover services not covered by traditional Medicare Part A or Part B. To find out whether your Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plan provides some coverage for acupuncture or acupressure, and in what circumstances, contact the plan directly.
What Medicare Pays
Medicare pays nothing for acupuncture or acupressure. You must pay the full cost of any acupuncture or acupressure services you receive.
If your Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage plan covers some acupuncture or acupressure, check with the plan itself to find out what its co-payments are for such treatments.
Important: Regardless of the rules regarding any particular type of care, in order for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, or a Medicare Part C plan to provide coverage, the care must meet two basic requirements:
The care must be "medically necessary." This means that it must be ordered or prescribed by a licensed physician or other authorized medical provider, and that Medicare (or a Medicare Part C plan) agrees that the care is necessary and proper. For help getting your care covered, see FAQ: How Can I Increase the Odds That Medicare Will Cover My Medical Service?
The care must be performed or delivered by a healthcare provider who participates in Medicare.
do you cover acupuncture under medicare part c, in las vegas,nv?
Tricare for Life (TFL), for military health care, does Not cover acupuncture. "Federal law and regulation forbid TRICARE to pay for acupuncture." It is not health insurance. It is a "federal health benefits program created and governed by federal law," so benefits will not change unless Congress changes coverage.
Medicare telephone agents told us incorrectly that acupuncture was covered at 80% (on two separate telephone calls). www.Medicare.gov said it wasn't. Caution people to ask Medicare telephone agents where in the annual Medicare book or on the webpage the information can be found. This website webpage is verified as accurate. Medicare does not cover it at all.
Kaiser health plans do cover medically recommended acupuncture, as a preventive to more expensive treatments. I would like to see Medicare be as far-sighted, though I understand cost restrictions. Thanks! M. Dalton, San Jose, CA