Although it depends on the policy you purchase, some Medicare Advantage plans may cover functional medicine and other types of naturopathic or homeopathic treatments when administered by a network provider. However, this coverage can vary from plan to plan, so it's important to check your policy. No, Medicare supplement plans only cover services that Medicare will approve. So, because Medicare doesn't cover naturopathic drugs, your Medigap plan won't.
People with Medigap will pay for alternative medicine and treatments themselves. In most cases, Medicare won't cover alternative medicine. However, each situation is different, so you should check your specific coverage or insurance plan. There are certain rules and regulations for what you can spend this money on (see your health insurance guide or check the rules online), but for the most part, doctor visits are allowed.
If you have a medical exception and your Medicare plan agrees that holistic treatment is medically necessary in your case, then finding a holistic doctor who accepts your Medicare coverage should be quite simple. Although your insurance may not cover your functional medicine care, many other aspects of your care with a functional medicine doctor do. Most functional medicine offices, including Vytal Health, will provide you with the insurance codes and documentation necessary to submit them to your insurance and consider reimbursing your functional medicine doctor for out-of-pocket costs. Holistic or “alternative” medicine has been growing in popularity in recent years, but Original Medicare does not offer coverage for this type of treatment.
Similarly, there is alternative medicine, sometimes called holistic medicine, which acts as another option to traditional medicine. The DO of your choice must accept the Medicare assignment and your treatment must be medically necessary for coverage to take effect. Vytal Health and other functional medicine offices give all their prices up front, helping you understand exactly how much you'll pay for your care, allowing you to regain control. A plan that covers a wide range of complementary drugs may not be right for you if it doesn't cover the specific alternative care you want.
While many Medicare Advantage plans cover some forms of alternative medicine, each plan sets its own rules for this coverage. Although Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) doesn't cover holistic medicine, some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may cover other treatments, therapies, and drugs that Original Medicare doesn't cover. The term holistic medicine is commonly used because alternative medicine focuses on the whole body. Many functional medicine offices, such as Vytal Health, encourage you to use your HSA or FSA dollars to pay for your care, if it's available to you.
If you are interested in an alternative and holistic medicine option, be sure to consult with your doctor, research, and work with a professional to take all necessary precautions.
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