Who Pays the Piper?

Until the last decade, the majority of complementary therapies and healing practices were offered on a fee-for-service, low-risk, cash basis. Many hospital-affiliated facilities still operate under this model.

In this model, the patient pays the provider directly and the provider gives the patient the information necessary to apply for reimbursement from their insurance company--where coverage is available. Some insurance companies that don't have structured benefits for complementary therapies will nonetheless pay for them on a case-by-case basis. The insurer may pay for these services if the member and their provider are willing to work with a case manager.

Generally, insurers are more willing to reimburse for familiar services considered standard of care in a community and for services provided by licensed practitioners. The most common reimbursed services are shown on the right.