How Much Does Acupuncture Cost?

As with other alternative therapies, the cost of acupuncture can be unpredictable — but one thing you can expect is to pay at least some of that cost out of pocket.

That’s because a number of acupuncturists don’t take health insurance, and many insurers don’t cover the procedure anyway. Still, more and more insurance providers are covering at least some of the fee, depending on the health condition, according to New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital.

Here’s what you should know about acupuncture costs, with or without health insurance coverage.

What does acupuncture treat?

Research shows acupuncture is useful for various health conditions, diseases, and symptoms, while causing few serious side effects. Based on traditional Chinese medicine, the treatment involves a practitioner inserting tiny needles into the skin at specific points along the body. The purpose is to stimulate the central nervous system and help heal injuries, improve ailments, and relieve pain.

According to the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, acupuncture can help in the treatment of:

• Diabetes

• Nausea and other side effects of cancer treatment

• Depression

• Smoking cessation

• Migraines

• Seasonal allergies

• Stress

• Knee pain or osteoarthritis

• Back pain

• Neck pain

• Other pain relief, including chronic low-back pain

Some studies have shown acupuncture can be effective for fertility, anxiety, and sciatica nerve pain, as well.

How much does acupuncture cost?

It depends. In one 2019 study, acupuncture sessions without insurance averaged $112 for initial visits and $80 for follow-ups, but they can range from $15 to $400 to start and $15 to $300 thereafter. Your geographic location, your condition, and your provider may all affect the cost.

For example, prices for a private session at a Chicago practice can be $60 to $120; in Atlanta, the cost may be $150 for the initial visit and $88 for each follow-up.

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Group sessions at a community acupuncture clinic are typically cheaper than private sessions. These clinics sometimes offer treatment on a sliding scale, based on what you can afford. At one community clinic in the D.C. suburbs, for instance, the fee for a group session is just $25.

Medicare also covers acupuncture, but only for chronic lower-back pain. Medicare Part B pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for each acupuncture session after you’ve reached the Part B deductible ($233 in 2022). You then pay the remaining 20% directly out of pocket or through a Medigap policy.

Medicaid recipients in some states can get acupuncture treatments, too.

• In 2016, Medicaid administrators in Oregon expanded coverage to include acupuncture for back pain.

• Minnesota’s Medicaid programs cover acupuncture for an array of specific conditions like anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

• In the state of Washington, Medicaid currently covers six acupuncture sessions for chronic pain.

How many acupuncture sessions do you usually need?

You’ll probably need more than one session, but there is no one-number-fits-all answer. Factors that typically help determine the number of treatment sessions include:

• The severity of your health issue or injury

• Whether it's a sudden (acute) injury or ongoing (chronic) condition

• The practitioner’s level of skill

• The level of pain you’re experiencing

One session may relieve pain immediately — but temporarily. For long-term improvement, an acupuncturist will work with you on a treatment plan. It’s likely to start with a series of appointments once or twice a week.

For chronic pain, one study found an effective treatment schedule to be at least two weekly acupuncture treatments for 6 to 12 weeks. Acute pain usually requires fewer sessions.

Six acupuncture sessions can be enough to relieve migraine. One 2021 study found that 12 sessions of acupuncture could be as effective as medication in lessening the number of migraine days by at least 50%.

Is acupuncture covered by insurance?

Some public and private insurance plans cover certain acupuncture treatments. Coverage details vary by insurer.

Notably, Medicare Part B started covering acupuncture in 2020, but only for chronic low-back pain. Medicare limits the number of treatments — no more than 12 acupuncture sessions in 90 days — and allows 8 more only if your condition improves.

Some private insurers that provide acupuncture benefits or discounted coverage include:

• Aetna: For 2022, the health plan added acupuncture as a standard benefit for chronic neck pain, chronic headache, low-back pain, pregnancy-related nausea, and knee or hip pain from osteoarthritis, among other health conditions.

• Cigna: This benefit is limited to conditions such as migraine and pregnancy-related nausea. It covers only certain types of acupuncture services and has very specific guidelines.

• BlueCross Blue Shield of Massachusetts: This plan covers 12 sessions a year from in- or out-of-network providers; after that, a 30% discount kicks in. 

• Kaiser Permanente: Some plans offer acupuncture coverage for nausea, pain, and other disorders. You get up to 20 visits per year and have a $15 copay. 

• United Healthcare: Employer-sponsored plans may offer acupuncture services as a supplemental benefit.

States are gradually adopting acupuncture as an essential health benefit that must be covered by private health insurance policies sold there. For example, as of 2022, health insurance sold in Oregon must cover 12 acupuncture sessions per year. For 2023, essential health benefits in Colorado will include 6 acupuncture visits per year. 

Average cost: Insured vs uninsured

If your healthcare plan covers acupuncture, you’ll probably have a copay; $15 to $25 is typical. For out-of-network practitioners, your policy may require that you pay your entire bill upfront and then submit a claim to your insurer for reimbursement.

Other insurance-related price breaks include:

• Your insurer may have negotiated discounted rates for acupuncture, even if it’s not a fully covered benefit.

• Your employer may offer special discounts through an employee wellness program. For example, Humana provides up to a 30% discount for acupuncture.

• You may have an FSA or HSA. If so, you can pay with those low-tax dollars because acupuncture is an eligible medical expense.

If you’re not insured, a session could easily cost you $125 or more. For a series of treatments, some acupuncture practitioners offer prepaid, packaged discount plans that can save you a little money. If you can find a practitioner or clinic with sliding-scale fees, you might pay as little as $10 or even less. 

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Written by:

Arnesa A. Howell

Arnesa A. Howell is an award-winning freelance writer, editor and content creator based in Washington, D.C., writing for national magazines and online outlets about health, social justice, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and culture, and more. A graduate of Howard University, Arnesa has served as board member and scholarship committee chair for the Journalism & Women Symposium, an advocacy organization for women journalists.

Edited by:

Caren Weiner, MSIS

Caren Weiner, MSIS, started as a journalist in 1986. She worked for Money magazine and co-wrote its “Guide to the 1986 Tax Reform Act.” From the start, she immersed herself in data on mutual fund total returns and marginal tax rates.

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