Health Insurance for Naturopathic Services
At the current time, Naturopathic Doctors are generally not "in-network" healthcare providers in California. HMOs usually do not provide coverage and Naturopathic Doctors are not covered by medicare/medicaid.
Most PPO plans cover bloodwork and other standard labs and many will cover Naturopathic Doctors as "out-of-network" providers, which may count towards your annual out-of-pocket deductible or a reimbursement to you. It's best to contact your health insurance provider and ask if they provide coverage for Naturopathic Doctors.
It's been our experience that Motion Picture Industry health plans appear to provide better coverage for Naturopathic Doctors, but policies vary.
For patients seeking credit or reimbursement for their visit, we can provide you with a health insurance claims form and codes you will need to send to your provider, along with a copy of your bill, to get the process started.
It's important to note that many of the specialty therapies we use are not covered by most insurance providers, however these therapies and the supplements we prescribe can typically be paid for using a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending account (FSA). If you want to use an HSA/FSA, please check with your HSA or FSA provider to confirm their requirements for coverage.
The insurance landscape is evolving since NDs were licensed in California in 2003 and insurance providers are starting to reimburse for our care. It is also likely that plans compliant with the Affordable Care Act (i.e. Obamacare Plans") will cover Naturopathic Doctors at some point in the future. However, it could be some time before this portion of Obamacare is implemented.
Do you support health insurance coverage for Naturopathic Doctors in California? Visit CoverMyND.org to let California know!
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts
Most newer health insurance plans with higher deductibles include a Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSAs) as part of the plan. HSAs/FSAs are a great, tax-free way to pay for our medical services and supplements you purchase at our Clinic. As of 2014, individuals can contribute up to $3,300 and families can contribute up to $6,550 annually to their HSA and use the contribution as a tax deduction. If you are over 55, you can contribute an additional $1000.
HSAs or FSAs can typically be used to pay for our medical service and supplements we prescribe. Your bank can provide you with a credit card for your HSA/FSA so it's as easy as using a credit card. Each HSA/FSA plan administrator has their own rules about what documentation is required to ensure coverage, so it's best to contact your plan administrator to make sure you are staying compliant with their rules.
