Data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) show that 33 percent of adults and almost 12 percent of children use complementary health approaches, and that the most commonly used approach is natural products (dietary supplements other than vitamins and minerals). Fish oil is the dietary supplement most often used by adults and children. As for other complementary health approaches, adults and children most often turn to chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, yoga, meditation, and massage therapy.
People seem to be willing to pay “out-of-pocket” (not through insurance) for certain complementary health approaches. In fact, out-of-pocket spending on these approaches for Americans age 4 and older amounts to an estimated $30.2 billion per year, according to the 2012 NHIS. This includes:
This out-of-pocket spending for complementary health approaches represents 9.2 percent of all out-of-pocket spending by Americans on health care ($328.8 billion) and 1.1 percent of total health care spending ($2.82 trillion).
Many Americans use complementary health approaches, but the type of health insurance they have affects their decisions to use these practices. In a recent study (692KB PDF), researchers analyzed 2012 NHIS data on acupuncture, chiropractic, and massage — and compared that with data from 2002. While use rates for all three approaches rose, the increase was much more pronounced among those who did not have health insurance. For those who had health insurance, coverage for these three approaches was more likely to be partial than full.
If you would like to use a complementary or integrative approach and don’t know if your health insurance will cover it, you should contact your health insurance provider to find out.
Some questions to ask your insurance provider include:
Keep records about all contacts you have with your insurance company, including notes on calls and copies of bills, claims, and letters. This may help if you have a claim dispute.
If you’re choosing a new health insurance plan, ask the insurance provider about coverage of complementary or integrative health approaches. You should find out if you need a special “rider” or supplement to the standard plan for these approaches to be covered. You should also find out if the insurer offers a discount program in which plan members pay for fees and products out-of-pocket but at a lower rate.
Your state insurance department may be able to help you determine which insurance companies cover specific complementary or integrative health approaches. USA.gov provides contact information for state and local consumer agencies, including insurance regulators.
Professional associations for complementary health specialties may monitor insurance coverage and reimbursement in their field. You can ask a reference librarian for help or search for them on the Internet.
