Holistic practitioners<\/a> provide primary healthcare, while alternative therapy providers specialize in alternative forms. Below is information that can assist in selecting an ideal provider who fits with your healthcare needs and requirements.<\/p>\nNaturopathic Medicine<\/h2>\n
Insurance companies have begun to recognize the value of naturopathic medicine, and some provide coverage. Coverage details depend on your state, insurance provider and plan type – for more information regarding what treatments your insurance will cover for, the best way is to call them directly and ask about the specifics of their policy – you might just find out that it offers hidden naturopathic benefits! Many patients are surprised when they realize their policy contains such coverage they weren’t previously aware of!<\/p>\n
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are healthcare professionals who combine modern medicine with traditional healing practices. To become licensed, NDs complete four years of medical school and pass national exams; their focus lies on finding the root cause of illness rather than just treating symptoms; anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology are studied just like medical doctors but so too is nutrition, botanical medicine physical therapy counseling as well as counseling services and counseling sessions. Furthermore, just like any physician they can order lab tests and perform physical exams as well as prescribe medications within their scope of practice within their states’ laws but only within their scope of practice.<\/p>\n
Private insurance plans typically cover visits to naturopathic doctors either as in-network or out-of-network services, with many companies such as Cigna, United Healthcare, Aetna offering these benefits; some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Oregon and Washington as well as some employer sponsored plans also provide this coverage.<\/p>\n
Some naturopathic treatments require prior approval from your insurance provider, in which case requesting a letter of medical necessity from your naturopathic doctor should meet this criteria. It should include information such as diagnosis, purpose of the naturopathic treatment, duration required and costs incurred – an insurance company will review this document to make sure it fulfills their coverage criteria.<\/p>\n
If you don’t already have health insurance, considering opening a health savings account or flexible spending account as a way of paying for naturopathic treatments can reduce out-of-pocket expenses through tax deductions.<\/p>\n
As more people ask for coverage of naturopathic medicine, insurance companies may expand their offerings accordingly. Be a proactive consumer by reaching out to your insurers or employers directly and express your desire for expanding naturopathic coverage.<\/p>\n
Chiropractic<\/h2>\n
Although alternative medicine is increasingly popular, not all health plans will cover it without restrictions such as deductibles, co-pays and visit limits or whether the provider is considered in or out-of-network.<\/p>\n
Health insurance providers follow a policy of only covering treatments deemed “medically necessary” in order to treat immediate medical needs, causing an incongruity between what many patients want from a chiropractor (pain management, increased mobility and wellness), and what their insurance will cover.<\/p>\n
In order to maximize their investment in health insurance coverage, patients must meet a health plan deductible – usually through either a flat copayment or percentage of billable services (generally between $20-50 per visit) – before paying coinsurance until reaching their annual out-of-pocket maximum amount. Common CAM therapies covered by health plans include chiropractic, acupuncture and massage services.<\/p>\n
Insurance providers require documentation of chiropractic treatments in order to justify coverage; thus requiring your chiropractor to document initial exams, diagnoses and treatment plans with progress notes to your health insurance provider.<\/p>\n
While this process may seem cumbersome, investing in your health is well worth your while in terms of both direct costs and future healthcare bills. Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts can help make use of any tax advantages by covering a wide variety of medical expenses including chiropractic visits.<\/p>\n
No matter the nature of your holistic healing practice, liability insurance is an absolute must. While no one plans on being sued, a malpractice suit could do serious damage to both your business and reputation – therefore our CM&F integrative health & holistic medicine group liability policy provides comprehensive protection for you and all members of your team should there ever be a malpractice suit filed against them.<\/p>\n
Massage Therapy<\/h2>\n
Clinical massage therapists collaborate closely with medical doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other health practitioners as part of a holistic healthcare model. Utilizing their knowledge of anatomy and pathology, clinical massage therapists assist the overall healing process while providing physical comfort as well as mental and emotional well-being benefits to their clients. More and more insurers now cover massage services because they’re seen as complementary medical treatment approaches.<\/p>\n
Not having private health insurance means many people rely on flexible spending or health savings accounts as a source of payment for alternative medicine treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage therapy. In order to access reimbursement through these accounts, clients will require a doctor’s prescription and documentation confirming how this massage relates directly to a particular health issue or injury.<\/p>\n
Massage therapy has become more widely accepted by insurance companies, making it essential that any massage therapist considering accepting insurance be fully informed on state scope-of-practice laws and how different insurers interpret them. Furthermore, it’s vitally important for therapists to carefully consider how much time can realistically be devoted to paperwork such as preauthorizations and reimbursement schedules before accepting insurance policies.<\/p>\n
Insurance coverage makes massage less of a luxury for some clients and more accessible, increasing traffic to your clinic. On the other hand, dealing with insurance company regulations and processes may be cumbersome; and accepting insurance could require altering pricing structures that have an adverse effect on your bottom line.<\/p>\n
If you would like to explore your options for insurance-covered massage, reach out to PRESS for help. A licensed therapist will discuss where tension resides, pressure preferences and desired goals of the session before devising an ideal massage to meet those needs while being within your insurance coverage. Simply schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 202-888-7890; your massage therapist will also provide an insurance-friendly receipt documenting their treatment in case it needs reimbursement by your health plan.<\/p>\n
Nutritional Counseling<\/h2>\n
Nutrition counseling is an integral component of holistic healthcare, helping patients learn to eat in ways that support overall wellness and treatment goals. Because of this, nutritionists should be covered by insurance plans. However, not all nutritionists have equal credentials – only registered dietitians (RDs) and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) typically meet this threshold; other practitioners, like “health coaches” and “nutrition therapy practitioners” do not hold these same credentials and therefore won’t fall under coverage by your insurance plan.<\/p>\n
When seeking out registered dietitians who accept your health insurance provider’s network, it is wise to contact your insurer directly. Their customer service representative should be able to give you all of the information you require – from whether nutritional counseling is covered under your policy to how much annual spending will be permitted on nutritionist services and any steps needed for reimbursement.<\/p>\n
Functional medicine takes an innovative approach to healthcare, seeking out the underlying source of symptoms rather than isolating one factor at once. Because of this approach, traditional health insurers do not always recognize functional medicine practices; however, there are a few functional medicine practitioners that accept insurance and offer affordable nutrition services which may even be fully reimbursed by traditional plans.<\/p>\n
Before meeting with a nutritional counselor, make sure they have your International Classification of Disease code from your physician – this information is used by insurance companies to establish whether an appointment is medically necessary and therefore covered. Furthermore, ensure they accept your specific insurance plan without needing pre-authorization from you first.<\/p>\n
Are You A Holistic Practitioner<\/a> Looking for Comprehensive Protection? Consider CM&F Integrative Health & Holistic Medicine Group Liability Insurance Plans as a Solution<\/p>\n