Alternative treatments to mainstream medicine in the Western world has come of
age in the new millennium and become more than just another answer to health
problems. Alternative therapies are now a sought after solution for
preventative health care and health care providers are acknowledging this
evolution by offering alternative therapy insurance.
What are Alternative Therapies?
Also known as CAM or complementary and alternative
medicine, alternative therapies are called ‘alternative’ to identify as outside
of the norm. Some of these include:
acupuncture
chiropractic care
massage therapies
biologic or herbal therapies
energy healing
hypnosis
biofeedback
meditation
prayer and spiritual healing
Alternative versus Complementary Therapy
Most patients who take advantage of alternative therapies or treatments, do
so in addition to or combination with traditional medicine – rarely as a sole
means of healing – to prevent and treat some of the more common illnesses and
health problems. The health care industry considers ‘alternative therapy’ to be
defined as a patient using an alternative therapy to replace traditional
medicine. When these therapies are used in combination with traditional
medicine, they are called ‘complementary therapy’.
The Most Commonly Covered Alternative Therapies
It is now standard for insurance companies to provide health insurance
coverage for a limited selection of alternative therapies. Because these
treatments can prevent some health problems from occurring and therefore reduce
health care expenses for both the provider and the patient, it is increasingly
more common. The most commonly offered alternative therapies include:
massage
chiropractic care
acupuncture
The Second Most Commonly Covered Alternative Therapies
Usually group employer health plans implement coverage for preventative
health care in order to keep down medical costs. The next level of the most
commonly covered alternative therapies includes: