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Compare Health Insurance For Acupuncture
Compare Health Insurance For Acupuncture
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Andrew Kemp
Reviewed by
Andres GutierrezCompare Health Insurance Policies
Save time and effort by comparing a range of Australia’s health funds with iSelect
What is acupuncture?
Long story short
Your private health insurance could cover acupuncture
You generally need an extras policy to claim on acupuncture. And no, a standard hospital policy won’t cover you.
Limits for acupuncture might be shared with other natural therapies
Your health fund might bundle acupuncture with other treatments like chiropractor or massage.
Medicare won’t pay unless a medical practitioner performs the treatment
Most visits to a private acupuncturist will come straight out of your own pocket. But this is where extras cover could help.
A typical session costs about $125 before any Medicare rebates
Prices vary by location, but suitable extras cover can help reduce the out-of-pocket costs.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves inserting thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body (called ‘acupuncture points’) to restore the flow of energy, or ‘Qi’ (pronounced ‘chee’). It’s a holistic treatment that could help with a range of physiological, mental, and emotional conditions, including:
- musculoskeletal pain: carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, tennis elbow, neck, shoulder, and back pain
- common ailments: headaches, migraines, insomnia, nausea, and menstrual cramps
- respiratory conditions: hay fever and asthma
- mental health conditions: addiction, depression, stress, and anxiety
- pregnancy and labour pain: as pelvic and back pain.
Acupuncture is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which means it’s used to complement conventional medical treatment and health care. There are a wide range of CAM disciplines – some of which, such as osteopathy, are regulated health professions in Australia while others include therapies like aromatherapy, homeopathy, and reflexology.
What’s the difference between acupuncture and dry needling?
While acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and focuses on restoring energy flow throughout the body, dry needling is a Western technique targeting muscle trigger points to relieve tension.
Acupuncture focuses on acupuncture points that are said to promote healing and balance energy flow. Dry needling, which focuses on modern anatomy and neurophysiology, targets trigger points in the muscles and surrounding connective tissue.
Acupuncture is typically performed by trained acupuncturists, while dry needling is often done by allied health professionals including physiotherapists, chiropractors, and acupuncturists that have trained in the procedure.
While acupuncture and dry needling differ, some people decide to have both on different occasions.
Does health insurance cover acupuncture?
Yes, acupuncture is covered under many private health insurance policies in Australia. But it’s typically included in extras cover rather than hospital cover. Extras cover typically takes care of costs that aren’t hospital-related – including natural therapies like acupuncture, osteopathy, and chiropractic treatment.
Extras policies also often bundle acupuncture with other natural therapies (or complementary therapies – depending on the health fund) like Chinese medicine, and exercise physiology.
It’s worth noting that while acupuncture is covered by some policies, that doesn’t apply to all natural therapies. Things like aromatherapy, homeopathy, and reflexology can’t be covered by health funds as mandated by the Australian government.
Helpful tip
Be mindful of combined limits for natural therapies. If you use multiple services like chiropractic treatment and acupuncture, you could hit your cap faster than expected. It’s a good idea to review your policy annually to ensure it still meets your needs – and upgrade later if you find natural therapies improve your health and wellbeing.
Here’s a bonus tip (and where some people get caught off guard). It’s a good idea to check if your preferred acupuncturist is recognised by your health fund. If you visit an unregistered provider, you might not be able to claim any benefits. That would sting!
Andres Gutierrez
General Manager – Health
What level of private health insurance covers acupuncture?
While extras health insurance covers acupuncture, it’s important to note that not every policy includes it. While many insurers only offer acupuncture in their mid-tier and higher policies, some basic policies may offer some limited benefits. As a rule of thumb, the more comprehensive your policy the more likely it is to include acupuncture.
For example, a basic extras policy that only includes general dental will usually be cheaper than one that covers a wide range of natural therapies like acupuncture.
The good news is that some insurers offer flexible options that let you choose the services you want, so you’re not paying for things you don’t need. It’s a smart way to tailor your cover and make sure it works for you.
What are the waiting periods for acupuncture (and natural therapies)?
Many private health insurers impose a waiting period for acupuncture claims, often two months. This prevents individuals from signing up, claiming immediately, and then cancelling their policy.
While that makes sense, it does means you may need to wait for treatment.
Does Medicare cover acupuncture in Australia?
Medicare only covers acupuncture treatments if they satisfy the following conditions:
- It’s performed by a medical practitioner whose registration is endorsed for acupuncture by the Medical Board of Australia or is registered by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia as an acupuncturist.
- It’s done during a private consultation that’s not in a hospital.
- It’s done because of one or more health-related issues, with appropriate documentation.
Medicare also covers the consultation and any other visit on the same day that’s related to the condition you’re getting acupuncture for.
Does private health insurance cover all types of traditional Chinese medicine covered?
Whether a certain traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment is covered depends on the health fund.
While acupuncture has gained acceptance among many private health insurers in Australia, cover for other TCM treatments like Chinese herbal medicine and Chinese massage isn’t as widespread. Again, it’s always a good idea to check your policy or call your health fund to confirm what’s covered.
Now this one’s for those who love ‘meditation in motion:’ as of April 2025, tai chi has been added back to what health funds can cover. It had been excluded in April 2019 along with 15 other natural therapies following a 2015 government private health insurance rebates review.
How do I choose the right health insurance cover for acupuncture?
We’d recommend first understanding what your needs are before then trying to match those with the various levels of cover offered by the market.
- Assess your needs: How often do you visit an acupuncturist? If it’s frequent, it might be a good idea to opt for a policy with higher benefit limits.
- Check your combined limits: It’s a good idea to understand the limits linked to acupuncture, especially if you use multiple treatments and it’s grouped with other therapies in your policy.
- Compare policies: Use comparison tools to find an extras policy that covers your wellness needs and fits your budget. Don’t just go with the first option you see.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the average cost of an acupuncture session?
The cost of an acupuncture session in Australia depends on the provider and location. But according to 2023–24 data from the Australian Government’s Medical Costs Finder, typical fees for patients who had an acupuncture session in a private setting was $125.1Medical Costs Finder – Acupuncture (in rooms)
What is extras cover?
Extras cover is a type of private health insurance in Australia that provides benefits for non-hospital health services. These include services like dental checkups, dietetics, mental health support, and physio, massage, and acupuncture.
What natural therapies might health insurance cover?
Natural therapies covered by health insurance can include acupuncture, remedial massage, myotherapy, chiropractic care, and naturopathy. However, coverage varies by policy, and some therapies may share combined benefit limits.
We can help you thread the needle and find an extras policy
If you’re searching for extras cover that includes acupuncture, iSelect can help. Compare policies with us through our online comparison tool, or give our friendly health insurance comparison experts a call on 1800 784 772 to find a policy that works for you!
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