Last updated: July 2026 – Reviewed and written by Toni Eatros, MS, DiplAc, AP
Insurance Coverage and Billing Policies
InsuranceCoverage for treatment here depends entirely on your insurance plan. The information below explains what each type of coverage means for you and how billing works in this practice.
Quick Summary
The VA Community Care Program and United Healthcare are the only plans I currently accept as a preferred provider.
Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida do not cover my services. Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans require a Medicare provider to perform the acupuncture, which I am not.
Am I a Preferred Provider for the VA Community Care Program?
Yes. If you are a veteran, ask your VA doctor for a referral to my office for acupuncture. Once your referral and treatment authorization arrive, you become eligible for acupuncture treatment with no out-of-pocket costs. Participating in this program is one way I give back to veterans. Thank you for your service.
Does Medicaid Cover Treatment?
No. Medicaid of Florida does not cover my services under any circumstance. You will need to pay out of pocket for my services.
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida Cover Treatment?
No. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida does not cover my services under any circumstance. You will need to pay out of pocket for my services.
Does Medicare Cover Acupuncture?
Medicare covers acupuncture for lower back pain, but only when a Medicare-enrolled provider performs it. I completed the lengthy Medicare application process and learned that Medicare does not accept acupuncturists as providers, regardless of training. A four-year acupuncture education carries no weight in this system, while a brief summer training course does. If you want to use Medicare, you need a medical doctor, nurse practitioner, or other Medicare-enrolled provider to perform the acupuncture.
If you decide to you want acupuncture performed by someone who has extensive training, you will need to pay out of pocket. You can call Medicare and ask if there is a way to submit the paid receipt directly to Medicare for reimbursement, yourself. I am happy to provide you with a superbill to submit.
Do Medicare Supplement Plans Pay for Acupuncture?
Medicare Supplement plans create a similar obstacle. These plans typically require Medicare to process a claim first and forward the unpaid portion to the supplement plan. Since I am not a Medicare provider, any claim I submit gets rejected automatically, and the supplement plan never receives it for processing. If you want to use a Medicare Supplement plan, you need a Medicare-enrolled provider to perform the acupuncture.
That being said, some Medicare supplement plans will allow you to submit a superbill directly for reimbursement yourself. I am happy to provide you with the needed documentation.
How Does the Billing Process Actually Work?
For qualifying plans, I submit an electronic claim on your behalf but do not follow up with the insurance company afterward if they deny the claim for some reason. You pay out of pocket for your first few visits while your claim processes. Once I know whether your plan pays and what your deductible and copay amounts are, you receive a refund or a credit toward future copays.
For Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, I provide a superbill so you can submit the claim yourself, since claims from a non-Medicare provider are rejected by the electronic clearinghouse before they reach a human. The VA Community Care Program is the only plan that does not require upfront payment, once your authorization is in place.
What Should You Bring to Your First Visit?
I do not currently have the resources to call and verify your insurance coverage in advance. Instead, I provide a form with the right questions to ask when you call your insurance company yourself. The purpose of this form is to help you collect information about your insurance plan regarding acupuncture treatment.
