Acupuncture Is Primary Health Care in Florida — Not an “Alternative”
In the State of Florida, licensed acupuncturists are recognized as primary health care providers. Florida law defines acupuncture as a complete medical system that includes diagnosis, treatment, herbal medicine, dietary guidance, and adjunctive therapies for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health.
Yet despite this legal recognition, many insurance companies continue to restrict or deny coverage for acupuncture services based solely on provider type — not based on safety, scope of practice, or patient outcomes.
This creates a harmful disconnect between what the law recognizes and what insurance plans choose to reimburse.
Federal Law Supports Fair Participation of Licensed Providers
Federal health policy includes a provider nondiscrimination rule stating that health plans may not exclude licensed health care providers acting within the scope of their license simply because of the type of license they hold.
While insurers are still permitted to structure their networks and reimbursement models, this law exists to prevent the marginalization of entire professions — including licensed acupuncturists — when delivering medically appropriate care.
Insurance Plans We Accept
We are currently a participating provider with:
VA Community Care Network (VA CCN)
United Healthcare
Humana – Whole Health / Tivity
Aetna
Coverage depends on your individual policy and diagnosis.
Why Acupuncture Coverage Can Be Confusing
Acupuncture is recognized under Florida law as a licensed, primary health care service, and federal health policy includes nondiscrimination language intended to prevent insurers from excluding providers solely based on their professional license. However, insurance plans are still allowed to set their own coverage rules, including which services are covered, which diagnoses qualify, and how providers are reimbursed.
As a result, some insurance plans may cover acupuncture services, while others may limit coverage or deny reimbursement—even when acupuncture is legally within the provider’s scope of practice. This is why benefits can vary widely from plan to plan.
We encourage patients to ask their insurance representatives about acupuncture benefits and to advocate for coverage that reflects current laws and evidence supporting non-drug pain management options.
Florida law requires prescribers to inform patients about non-opioid alternatives for pain management before initiating opioid therapy — and this explicitly includes non-pharmacologic therapies such as acupuncture.
The intent is clear: acupuncture is not a last resort. It is meant to be part of the first conversation.
Not all insurance plans are the same—even within the same company.
Your plan may include:
- A limited number of visits per calendar year
- Requirements for prior authorization
- Restrictions based on diagnosis
- In-network or out-of-network rules
- Copays, deductibles, or coinsurance
We verify benefits when possible, but benefits are never guaranteed until claims are processed by your insurer.
Important Medicare & Licensed Acupuncturists
While Medicare does cover acupuncture for chronic low back pain, the current Medicare rules apply only when services are provided under particular conditions and by providers recognized within the Medicare system.
Licensed acupuncturists are not currently recognized as Medicare providers and therefore, Medicare will not cover services provided directly by a licensed acupuncturist in private practice. This means that even though Medicare may cover acupuncture for chronic low back pain, it does not reimburse your treatment with us.
We encourage all patients with Medicare to contact their Medicare representatives and legislators and ask for improved access to acupuncture care — including expanding coverage so licensed acupuncturists can be reimbursed directly. There is ongoing advocacy, including proposed federal legislation like the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act, which aims to expand Medicare access to include licensed acupuncturists as recognized providers
Furthermore, the Affordable Care Act Section 2706(a) includes nondiscrimination language stating that health plans “shall not discriminate” against licensed health care providers acting within the scope of their license. This provision supports broader inclusion of services like acupuncture in health coverage.