Health insurance for acupuncture

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture come from traditional Chinese medicine and involves putting thin needles into the skin aty specific spots. The theory is that pathways in the body can prevent the flow of 'qi' (pronounced 'chee' - great scrabble word). Acupuncture is thought to restore that flow, relieving illness and pain.

Now if you're skeptical, that's a good impulse. But the scientific consensus is that acupunture works. It's not entiirely understood why, but the evidence is pretty robust and repeatable.

Does Medicare cover acupuncture?

Medicare will generally not cover the cost of acupuncture, as most people use it. If your GP treats you with acupuncture as part of a broader treatment plan then it may be covered by Medicare. If you have a physiotherapy plan from your GP that's covered under Medicare they may also use dry needling, which would also be covered.

For most non-GP acupuncture clinics, you'll be paying out-of-pocket, or having it covered by private extras health insurance.

How does private health insurance cover acupuncture?

Most acupuncture treatment is done outside of hospital, in a private clinic, which is covered by extras insurance. Pretty much every health fund will have a few extras policies that will cover acupuncture.

Acupuncture is generally covered on mid-tier extras policies, as well as top-tier. Some basic policies may have cover, but it will likely be pretty limited cover.

Here are a few things to look out when comparing funds:

• Benefit limit: You'll have a maximum amount you can claim per year - $300 for example.
• Combined benefits: Acupuncture benefits may be combined with other treatment, like massage or physiotherapy.
• Waiting periods: You'll need to hold your extras policy for a few months before you can claim - typically it's 2 months for acupuncture.
• Benefit back: The actual amount you'll get back for each appointment will either be a percentage of your bill or a set amount of money for a particular treatment.

"It's important to read the policy conditions for your extras to see whether extras are bunched together and have a combined limit. When I used to be with Medibank which has a combined limit for acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractic and Chinese medicine, I soon found that I hit my annual limit very quickly after only two visits each to my chiro, physio and acupuncturist. That's why I'm now with nib which splits out chiro/physio and natural therapies under separate limits."

Nicole T

Finder crew member

Acupuncture vs dry needling

Acupuncture and dry needling are similar, but subtly different treatments. Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that aims to balance the flow of Qi (life energy) through the body by inserting thin needles into specific points. Dry needling is a newer technique that targets trigger points within muscles to release tension and alleviate pain.

Acupuncture is typically performed by acupuncturists, who may have training in traditional Chinese medicine. Dry needling, on the other hand, is generally performed by physical therapists, chiropractors, and some medical doctors. Here are a few other key differences:

• Philosophy: Acupuncture is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine principles, while dry needling is based on Western anatomical and physiological concepts.
• Focus: Acupuncture aims to address overall energy balance and well-being, while dry needling primarily focuses on resolving musculoskeletal issues.
• Effectiveness: Both acupuncture and dry needling have shown some evidence of effectiveness for certain conditions, such as pain relief. However, the specific conditions and the strength of the evidence vary between the two.

Frequently asked questions

• Does private health insurance cover acupuncture?

  Yup, private health isurance can cover acupuncture in Australia, under extras. You'll have a yearly benefit limit, which is often a combined limit with other 'natural therapies', possibly along with other treatmeants like physio or chiropracty. There's typically a 2-month waiting period before you claim - although there are a handful of extras policies with no waiting period on acupuncture.

• Does acupuncture work?

  The research shows that acupuncture may be effective for certain conditions, particularly pain relief. That being said, more research is needed to fully understand its benefits. It's worth noting that the Aussie government did a pretty comprehensive review of natural therapies on private health insurance a few years back and acupuncture made it through. That's a good thing for its effectiveness. It's generally safe when performed by a licensed practitioner.

Written by

Tim Bennett

Insurance expert

A seasoned journalist with over 10 years of experience in news, politics and finance reporting, Tim has previously held roles at the ABC, SBS and Fairfax Media. Tim’s expert insights have been quoted in The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Courier Mail and more. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has been interviewed on 7 News, Sunrise, SBS News, ABC Local, 3AW and 5AA. Tim is passionate about simplifying complex insurance topics for Australian consumers. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Macquarie University and a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification, which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). If you’re interested in a media interview with Tim, please reach out to our PR team at aupr@finder.com. See full bio

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