YES! WE ACCEPT INSURANCE

Many insurance plans — including PPO and some HMO plans — offer full or partial acupuncture benefits. However, most carriers (especially those managed by American Specialty Health, or ASH) only reimburse for 15 minutes of basic acupuncture.

At Core Meridian Acupuncture, that limited model does not meet our standard of clinical care.

WHY OUR MINIMUM TREATMENT IS 30 MINUTES

For acupuncture to work effectively, your body must have enough time to shift into the parasympathetic (“rest-and-repair”) state — the nervous system mode that reduces pain and inflammation while stimulating deep healing.

Clinical best practice shows that 20–30 minutes of needle retention is required for meaningful therapeutic outcomes. Shorter sessions simply don’t allow the body enough time to respond.

Because insurance typically covers only the first portion of your visit, we extend every treatment to a minimum of 30 minutes so you receive safe, effective, and results-driven care at every visit.

INSURANCE PLANS WE ACCEPT

We are in-network with American Specialty Health (ASH), which manages acupuncture benefits for many major carriers, including (but not limited to):

  • Kaiser (select plans)

  • Blue Cross / Blue Shield

  • Cigna

  • Aetna

  • Health Net

  • Other ASH-managed plans

Coverage varies by plan — some approve a limited number of visits each year, require medical necessity, or have copayments.

We’re happy to verify your benefits before your visit.

WHAT INSURANCE TYPICALLY COVERS

Most plans cover acupuncture only and do not include many of the therapies we use to support and amplify healing, such as:

  • Tui Na or manual therapy

  • Gua sha (scraping)

  • Cupping therapy

  • Herbal consults or formulas

  • Extended treatment time beyond the base 15 minutes

Diagnoses must often fall under what the plan deems “medically necessary” — commonly musculoskeletal issues, migraines, and nausea.

WHAT CONDITIONS ARE OFTEN COVERED

Coverage varies, but the following are frequently included:

  • Neck, back, and joint pain

  • Sciatica or general musculoskeletal issues

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Certain nausea conditions (e.g., chemotherapy or pregnancy-related)

Other conditions may still qualify — verification ensures we know exactly what your plan will support.

OUR FINANCIAL POLICY

High-quality care that goes beyond what insurance covers

We charge a $27 Comprehensive Care Fee at each office visit to support essential, clinically necessary services not reimbursed by insurance, including:

  • Extended clinical time (to ensure that 20–30 minute needle retention window)

  • Non-covered therapeutic supports that enhance healing

  • Thermal and manual therapies when clinically indicated

  • Clinical infrastructure and quality standards that provide safe and effective care

This fee allows us to maintain the Core Meridian standard of care — ensuring optimal results, not bare-minimum treatment.

NON-COVERED EXPENSES

Transparency and respect for your financial expectations

While we maximize every patient’s benefits, insurance may not cover:

  • Medical supplies, comfort items, or additional procedures

  • Any services denied, reduced, limited, or later recouped by your plan

  • Treatments considered investigational or outside your policy restrictions

Please familiarize yourself with your plan’s coverage — deductibles, copays, visit limits, and medical necessity requirements.

If you prefer not to receive any non-covered therapies, please inform us before treatment begins.

OPTIONAL ADD-ON THERAPIES

(Optional + scheduled in advance)

These services are not covered by insurance and billed directly to the patient when requested:

  • Upgrade to a 60-Minute Visit — Add $25
    Includes one advanced therapy such as cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, or herbal consult.

  • Additional Infrared Light Therapy — Add $15
    For patients wishing to extend infrared support during 30- or 60-minute sessions.

OUR STANDARD CASH RATES

For patients choosing not to use insurance:

  • Initial Consultation + First Treatment — $189

  • Follow-Up Treatments — $160

Insurance + the $27 fee almost always remains significantly lower than full cash pricing — while still providing full-length therapeutic sessions.

HSA/FSA PAYMENT OPTIONS

We gladly accept HSA and FSA funds for eligible acupuncture services and for your non-covered portion of care.

We provide detailed receipts or superbills when required by your plan for reimbursement.

VERIFY YOUR BENEFITS & SCHEDULE

To verify your coverage, please send:

  • Full name (as shown on insurance card)

  • Date of birth

  • Insurance ID number

  • Clear photos of the front and back of your insurance card

You can submit this information securely through our website or by contacting us directly. We will confirm your exact coverage and answer any questions before your first visit.