Will You Be Covered for Other Treatments Under Insurance Coverage of Acupuncturists?

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Will You Be Covered for Other Treatments Under Insurance Coverage of Acupuncturists?

Insurance is of essence when you are practicing acupuncture. Insurance covers your practice, as well as your patients and the reputation of your profession. But what happens when you also provide other treatment options in addition to acupuncture. A lot of acupuncturists also offer other therapies like massage, cupping, reflexology or herbal medicine. This poses a vital question, “Whether these treatments are also covered in your insurance policy?”.

“This will depend on the kind of insurance held, the services you offer and the terms of the insurance provider. It is important to know your coverage to prevent extra expenses or legal problems”, says Lara Clark, an insurance specialist at QuoteRadar.

Essential Coverage to Acupuncturists:

The professional indemnity insurance is included in most of the insurance policies that are meant to cover acupuncturists. This covers you against the eventuality that a patient accuses you of causing him injury, harm or financial loss as a result of your treatment. As an example, when a patient has contracted an infection or injury due to acupuncture needles and sues, professional indemnity insurance can pay the legal expenses and compensation.

The majority of policies also contain public liability insurance. This covers you in case a patient or member of the general public is injured in your clinic or their property is damaged.

Other Treatments:

Acupuncturist insurance tends to center on acupuncture only. Nevertheless, a considerable number of acupuncturists combine other treatments into their practice. The following are some of the usual examples:

• Herbal medicine consultation
• Cupping
• Moxibustion
• Reflexology

Such treatments are not necessarily covered by all insurance policies.

Some may require that you be formally trained or certified in that therapy in order to include them. There are others that might need you to add them as extras in your policy. Just by undertaking such treatments without first checking coverage, you run the risk of a claim.

Why Treatment Coverage Matters?

Suppose this is the case: You are covered as an acupuncturist, but you also practice cupping. In case a patient sustains burns or skin damage during cupping, and your insurance does not cover that treatment, you may be on your own to cover the cost of compensation and legal fees.

The risk is evaluated differently by the insurance companies on each therapy. Therapies that involve physical manipulation, herbs, or heat (such as moxibustion) are possibly more risky. This is the reason why insurance companies are keen to know the kind of practice you are involved in.

Public Liability Insurance for Acupuncturist:

One of the most vital types of cover that acupuncturists need is the public liability insurance. Professional indemnity insures you against claims that are directly related to treatment whereas public liability insures you against accidents and injuries that are not directly related to your work of acupuncture.

Examples include:

• A patient falls on a mat in your waiting room.
• A hot beverage is spilled on the possessions of a client.
• A treatment table folds over and causes injury.

Even when you do your best to be really careful, accidents can occur. Public liability insurance will cover you so that you are not liable to pay damages or legal expenses. This insurance is required by many professional associations in order to allow membership to acupuncturists.

How to Make Certain That You are Insured?

1. List everything you treat: Record all therapy you offer, whether on an occasional basis. Forward this to your insurance provider to ensure it is confirmed what is covered.
2. Check your qualification: Not all treatment is covered. Some insurers only cover treatments that you are certified or trained to perform. Ensure that you have evidence of training when requested.
3. Check the wording on policy: Notice the exclusions and limitations. Not all the policies may automatically cover therapies such as herbal medicine or nutritional advice.
4. Update your insurer on as a regular basis: In case you introduce a new therapy to your practice, inform your insurer. It is better to change your policy than to be uninsured.

Choosing A Proper Policy:

Insurance providers are not the same. There are those that are specialized in complementary health practitioners and provide packages that combine acupuncture and other holistic therapies. Others can only cover acupuncture unless you buy add-ons.

When doing the comparison of policies, take into consideration:

• Does the insurer cover all of the therapies you perform?
• Are both professional indemnity and public liability included?
• What exclusions and limitations are there to claims?
• Is global coverage provided in the event that you practice abroad?