Insurance Info

Some companies have chosen the legal minimum they must have while still advertising that they cover acupuncture, so they mimic Medicare benefits. This means acupuncture, A) can ONLY treat Low Back Pain, and B) MUST be performed or supervised by an MD, PT, or NP. If those two criteria are not met, such companies will not pay. Which means I cannot accept.

Acupuncture is not a “cure”, though the results can be quite rapid. The number of treatments needed can vary widely depending on a number of factors, particularly the length of time since the initial injury/onset. Acupuncture treatments are usually done in sets of six to twelve treatments, with simpler problems being managed in fewer and more complex issues taking longer. We do a full assessment every six treatments to ensure we are on the right track and providing the right amount of value, based on expectations discussed during the initial consultation.

While that varies by state, there are generally two possible routes. First, to be a Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc), you need a Masters or PhD/PD in the subject, a minimum of three Board exams, several hundred hours of internship with patient contact, and annual CEU/PDA Requirements. The other possibility is for MDs or PTs, who generally take a 100-hour course to learn acupuncture, though only the ones with the “Certified Acupuncturist” title have obtained Board certification.