News – American Institute of Acupuncture

Is acupuncture covered by insurance?

acuherb — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 22:02:49 +0000

Is acupuncture covered by insurance?

The good news is that yes, many insurance companies now offer policies that cover acupuncture and related services performed by an acupuncturist.

Does my insurance cover acupuncture?

You can find out if your insurance provides acupuncture benefits by calling your insurance company’s patient information or benefits line. This number can be found on your insurance card.

If your insurance provider does cover acupuncture, here are a few questions that you can ask to determine your eligibility and coverage:

How many treatments do I get?
How much does the insurance company pay?
What is the normal co-pay for acupuncture from a preferred provider? (This is the amount you would pay out-of-pocket for each visit to a practitioner on their provider list.)
What percentage will I pay for out-of-network practitioners?Â (This is the amount you would pay out-of-pocket for each visit to a practitioner who is NOT on their provider list.)
Who must provide the acupuncture?
Will I need a referral from an MD to see the acupuncturist?
What is my deductible?
What conditions are covered for acupuncture? (Many plans only cover the treatment of pain)

What are Affinity Programs for acupuncture?

If you don’t have benefits, you may have what’s called an “affinity program”. This is an arrangement that the insurance company has with certain acupuncturists to offer their members treatments at a discounted price (usually 20% to 40% discount off regular price).

Do Medicaid and Medicare cover acupuncture?

At this time, Medicaid and Medicare do not provide coverage for acupuncture.

The California MediCal program offers limited coverage when you see an acupuncturist that is a MediCal provider.

Is acupuncture a treatment option after a car accident?

If you have suffered a personal injury in an auto or motor vehicle accident, your or the other parties car insurance will pay for acupuncture treatments.

How do I bill the insurance companies for acupuncture?

While more and more acupuncturists are signing up to become acupuncture providers for insurance companies and handle all the paper work involved in billing, it is common for practitioners to be paid in full and provide patients with the information they will need to file a claim for reimbursement themselves.

AIA Acuherb Clinic Grand Openning

acuherb — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 21:18:13 +0000

Clear Lake chamber cut Ribbon for Acuherb Clinic:

The citzen Newspaper, clear lake local news, and Houston News come join Acuherb Clinic Grand Opening.

all about news

acuherb — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 23:29:35 +0000

Clear Lake Clinic brings best of both worldsÂ

Y.C. OROZCO

Clear Lake Clinic brings best of both worlds

Â The Clear Lake area has added a new dimension to its already diverse health care and medical community. The AIA Acuherb Clinic and Wellness Center provides the best of both worlds: offering eastern-based treatments and western medical expertise.Â

Posted:Â Thursday, December 6, 2012 2:56 pm

ByÂ Y.C. OROZCO

The Clear Lake area has added a new dimension to its already diverse health care and medical community.

With six hospitals, a multitude of clinics, substance abuse centers, physical therapy and mental health facilities, the AIA (American Institute of Acupuncture) Acuherb Clinic and Wellness Center can encompass many of those services.

Its a spa, holistic-based treatment and physical therapy service industry with a strong foundation in medical science.

From acupuncture, four types of message therapy, including rehabilitative, to intensive skin care and reflexology, it may not be the first eastern/holistic-based health care facility in the area, but Acuherb Clinic and Wellness Center is the first facility to provide the best of both worlds – literally.

“Our focus is to bring a holistic approach to residents’ health,” said James Lu, a licensed acupuncturist and physical therapist on staff at AIA Acuherb.

“Not only do we use acupuncture, but we use physical therapy and the combination of eastern and western science to maximize the benefits to our citizens.”

It’s a new concept, he said, and one that he hopes Acuherb can help establish among more conventional health care facilities.

Last Thursday the clinic held its official ribbon-cutting to celebrate its new location at 16300 Sea Lark Rd in Clear Lake after two years established in the area.

“It’s emerging but its not openly accepted yet – people generally either go to western medicine and when it fails they go to eastern medicine,” Lu said. “Here we are trying to use both.”

Lu is a certified acupuncturist and herbalist as are all members of the Acuherb staff, and

Dr. Kenneth Wang is a certified MD at M.D. Anderson. All members of the staff have a background in western medical science.

Chronic illnesses like MS, Parkinsons, mild to severe arthritis currently have no medical cure, and pain management is generally the one option.

AIA Acuherb tries to provide an alternative treatment by boosting the bodies natural resources and hopefully serve as a preventative source before last-option surgery or pain medication addiction.

“We want to educate people about finding a balance in their health care treatment,” said Dr. Wang.

Cerise Giovannetti has been walking with a cane after injuring her foot. She comes to Acuherb for physical therapy. She said that while westerners can be apprehensive about alternative healthcare treatments, the belief in the body’s natural resources is as traditional as aspirin to her.

“This is bringing an awareness of the holistic-ness of all of us,” Giovannetti said. “We are whole beings: we are not just a foot or a head, we are whole. That’s what they treat in eastern culture, this is what they know and we don’t. They can definitely bring that eastern, holistic thinking – the herbs, the movement, the fun and make yourself whole.”

AIA Acuherb spent two years at a smaller location and by expanding, the staff hopes to widen its reach and acceptance.

“This an increasingly accepted kind of healthcare and people are using more integrated healthcare, not just one approach,” said Lu. “We try to utilize everything that is available now to recover from illnesses or any disorder they might have by restoring their health in the shortest amount of time with the least cost of money. That’s the concept we’re trying to bring into this community.”

AIA Acuherb Clinic and Wellness Center is now located at 163 Sea Lark Rd in Clear Lake; for more information, visitÂ www.acuherb.us