Monday, November 1, 2010

How Much Is Acupuncture?

When you want to find out the cost of acupuncture, you may run to the Internet for information.  Unfortunately, the cost of acupuncture is difficult to pin down. The question "How much is acupuncture?" is hard to answer because many different factors are involved.  Of course, like any other medical treatment, you don't want to skimp on acupuncture costs by going to someone unqualified.  The cost of acupuncture is well worth it when you find someone excellent to perform it.


Health insurance is something to consider when you look at the question "How much is acupuncture?" but you have to meet many requirements to get acupuncture costs covered.  Usually, the number of treatments you need to have will determine acupuncture cost.  No matter how you look at it, the cost of acupuncture can be somewhat pricy, but it is often effective in increasing fertility, relieving anxiety, and even helping with lower back pain.   Many factors can affect cost, but acupuncture is often a less costly treatment that other traditional procedures.


How Much Is Acupuncture?: The Right Education


The answer to the question "How much is acupuncture?" will depend on the skill of your acupuncturist.  The more education your professional has, the higher the cost of acupuncture will be.  If you go to a physician to have your acupuncture performed, the acupuncture cost will be more expensive than if you go to someone who has only a diploma from an acupuncture school.

It is also useful to know that acupuncturists study for a minimum of 3 years and some 4 or 5 years to enter their profession.  Physicians generally only have a basic training limited to several weekend seminars. Some acupuncturists are also certified in specialties, such as fertility, and this additional expertise can add to the cost of acupuncture.

Of course, when answering the question "How much is acupuncture?" you do not want to cut corners on expenses, as you might run the risk of ending up with someone who is unqualified to perform your procedure properly.  For instance, if you want to pursue acupuncture for fertility, you need to go to an acupuncturist who is knowledgeable about the proper placement and insertion of needles in areas related to reproduction.  The cost of acupuncture should not affect the quality of care that you get from your practitioner, but you may not get the best results by going to the least expensive provider of acupuncture.  Choose carefully and verify credentials and training.


How Much Is Acupuncture?: Health Insurance


Health insurance sometimes does cover acupuncture costs and can provide some answers to the "how much is acupuncture" question.  Some insurance companies will not cover it at all, despite research studies that show how acupuncture can help to resolve certain diseases and conditions.  Unfortunately, certain health care providers  will not cover the cost of acupuncture no matter how many appeals you make to them or statistics you present to show that the treatment works.  Some health insurance companies only cover acupuncture for certain conditions, such as low back pain or infertility.  To help with your acupuncture cost, it pays to check into what your health insurance covers.


Because many studies show the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments, the cost of acupuncture should be covered by health insurance companies.  The cost of acupuncture is worth the reduction in pain that acupuncture would bring the patient.  Some patients have turned to flexible health spending accounts to cover the cost of acupuncture, but most health insurance companies are stubbornly against covering the acupuncture cost.


How Much Is Acupuncture When Performed Frequently?


How often you need acupuncture and for how long will influence the answer to the question "how much is acupuncture" a great deal.  Very few conditions require only one treatment of acupuncture. If you need to see the practitioner several times per month, this factor can increase the cost of acupuncture.   Because the effects of acupuncture are cumulative, you need to have more than one treatment for the acupuncture to work for your condition.  Frequency of treatment usually results in a higher cost of acupuncture, but repeated treatments are necessary for you to get maximum results.