Medicare is a federal health insurance program for disabled people, people over 65, and patients struggling with renal diseases. It’s a US-based program for all those living within the country as US citizens or legal permanent residents. In simple words, Medicare helps you get some relief on your medical bills if you qualify for the program.
The more recent conversation is whether Medicare will cover alternative medicine and treatment? A few years ago, legislation expanded the coverage of Medicare to include several osteopathic, complementary, and holistic treatments such as nutritional therapies.
What Alternative Medicine and Treatment Does Medicare Cover?
Medicare covers only a few alternative medicines, treatments, and therapies. Alternative treatments like acupuncture, physical therapies, and more are now included in the coverage plan of Medicare. Here’s what you must know before choosing a plan:
- Acupuncture
As per Medicare Part B, the plan will cover acupuncture treatments (maximum 12) within 90 days if the patient treats severe lower back pain. It’s a popular alternative treatment option and one of the main ones covered by the Medicare Advantage plan.
- Chiropractic (Osteopathic) Therapies
If it involves the manual manipulation of the spine, then Medicare will offer coverage for this alternative treatment method. However, it’s based on the condition that the spine’s manual manipulation will allow the diagnosis, medication, or treatment of an injury/illness. Also, chiropractic treatment must meet the required medical standards.
- Nutritional/Dietary Therapies
You can receive dietary and nutritional therapies under the Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage. But, that’s only if your healthcare provider agrees and medically clears you to get a nutritionist or dietitian. In several cases, older people have to get special health and food care. So, medical experts might clear them for supervised diet plans and experienced nutritional advice.
Medicare Part B may also cover nutritional and dietary therapies if they result from kidney/renal diseases. It’s best to check with a professional health insurance carrier near you or contact a commercial site for more information.
Getting Alternative Medicine through Medicare Coverage Plan
In any case or type of alternative medicine requirement, a qualified health expert will have to clear you. And to get any of the complementary benefits of Medicare coverage, you will have to meet certain eligibility criteria defined by Medicare. For example, as of January 2020 for Medicare part B to cover the treatment of chronic back pain with acupuncture you need to:
- have it officially diagnosed;
- the pain needs to last for 12 weeks or longer;
- the pain should not be diagnosed with pregnancy, surgery, inflammatory or infectious disease;
- it cannot be metastatic by nature;
Also, you will get coverage for some alternative medicine by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). While it won’t cover all the holistic treatments and alternative medicines out there, you can still rely on it for several common types of therapies and treatments. Be sure to carefully check your current plan coverage to learn more.
Conclusion
Depending on where you live in the US, the plans, availability, and terms might differ for Medicare plans. Usually, all potential applicants must stay alert for the annual enrollment period to choose a plan with different coverage. You must be enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B to be able to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
You can contact Medicare online or visit HellaHealth today for more information about Medicare and on how to find the best health insurance options and the right coverage.
