{"id":19780,"date":"2022-07-19T13:55:19","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T18:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepapergown.zocdoc.com\/?p=19780"},"modified":"2026-08-14T09:33:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T14:33:45","slug":"your-health-insurance-might-cover-these-self-care-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/your-health-insurance-might-cover-these-self-care-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Health Insurance Might Cover These Self-Care Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve always wanted to try acupuncture but were deterred by the price tag, you\u2019re in luck: Insurance companies can and do cover this and other practices you may think of first as self-care.\u00a0<\/span>Some states mandate that insurers cover certain services. Other times, employers work with insurance providers to add complementary care to plans as a retention tool, says Michael Orefice, senior vice president of operations at insurance portal <\/span>SmartFinancial<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not yet certain about a therapy but you\u2019d like to know more, ask your doctor for their opinion on courses of outside treatment. Check your plan if you want to explore options beyond medication or surgeries \u2014 in many cases, you may need a PCP\u2019s referral before your first appointment for coverage to be approved.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Acupuncture<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve likely seen it in movies or TV as something \u201cwoo\u201d or weird, but acupuncture is a <\/span>centuries-old healing method<\/span><\/a> originating from China. It operates on a theory of moving energy known as qi by stimulating specific pressure points, usually by inserting needles into the skin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Whatever you believe about the body, research suggests that acupuncture can help manage certain pain conditions, like fibromyalgia or headaches. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists acupuncture as a <\/span>potential alternative<\/span><\/a> to opioid medications for pain management. For this reason, <\/span>some states<\/span><\/a>, including Oregon, New Mexico and New Jersey, mandate that insurers cover acupuncture to help combat the opioid epidemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Insurance coverage of acupuncture treatment <\/span>has increased<\/span><\/a> over the last decade. In 2020, the <\/span>Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services<\/span><\/a> announced that Medicare would cover some acupuncture treatment for chronic lower back pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chiropractic care<\/h3>\n

While chiropractors sound like medical doctors, they have very different training and certification. As doctors of chiropractic care, they typically focus on realigning parts of your spine with their hands, to help treat ailments like <\/span>headaches<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>neck pain<\/span><\/a> and other musculoskeletal issues. Many insurance companies cover<\/span> short-term or acute chiropractic care<\/span><\/a> that is necessary to fix chronic pain or specific injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Massage<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/span>While massage may seem like a luxury experience confined to spa treatments and elite athletes, <\/span>research shows<\/span><\/a> that massages can help with issues ranging from hypertension, asthma and psychological conditions to Parkinson\u2019s disease and breast cancer. Some private insurance plans cover <\/span>massage therapy coverage<\/span><\/a> if it\u2019s deemed <\/span>medically necessary to manage a condition, though Medicare does not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meditation apps<\/h3>\n

We\u2019re all aware that stress can wreak havoc on our minds and our bodies. You\u2019ve likely heard that mindfulness and meditation can help defuse some of that, and there\u2019s <\/span>plenty of research<\/span><\/a> to back that up. Some companies might offer access to meditation apps like <\/span>Calm<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Headspace<\/span><\/a> as an employee benefit. Certain insurance plans, such as <\/span>Blue Shield of California<\/span><\/a>, may also cover all or part of the app\u2019s subscription fee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gym memberships<\/h3>\n

Exercise is good for you; this is a well-known fact. It can help <\/span>mitigate risks<\/span><\/a> like type II diabetes, cancer and obesity. Insurance companies may not completely cover the cost of a gym membership, but some offer incentives. For example, Emblem provides<\/span> discounts<\/span><\/a> on monthly memberships at participating gyms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Botox<\/h3>\n

We often think of Botox as simply cosmetic \u2014 a quick fix for fine lines or wrinkles. However, Botox can also treat ailments like migraines, an overactive bladder, severe jaw pain from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and other issues. Many insurance companies will cover Botox if it\u2019s deemed medically necessary by a physician, though that does mean you can\u2019t pass off a little cosmetic touch-up as health care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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