Nichole is a back injury patient in the Salt Lake area in Utah. Her Physical Medicine and Rehab doctor proposed ultrasound-guided cortisone injections to be performed in an outpatient OR. This procedure would be costly, temporary, and damaging to her joints over time.

Luckily, her doctor was astute enough to be concerned about taking such a big step when other options were available. He suggested that she try a chiropractor, and even offered a referral.

Nichole checked her insurance plan, found a chiropractor with whom the insurer had negotiated a discount, and paid for her visits with her flexible spending account. It was all so much easier and more affordable than she thought it would be!

Six years later, she:

… never ended up getting those cortisone shots

…only goes to the chiropractor occasionally to stay on top of her back pain

…and feels better than she thought she’d ever feel again!

Chances are you were compelled by what you saw on Pain Revealed and want to pursue an alternative therapy for the pain you are experiencing. You are tired of living with it, tired of the medications, and tired of the limited options your doctor has given you…

…but then you consider your budget and wonder if you can afford an alternative treatment like chiropractic or acupuncture.

Before you throw in the towel and give up because you think these treatments are too expensive, there are several options you can look into.

First of all, are you on Medicare? Traditional Medicare does not cover acupuncture, but will cover medically necessary spinal manipulation. If you have a Medicare supplement such as a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, you will likely get some coverage for services such as chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture.

You have nothing to lose by checking with your Medicare supplement provider and seeing what is offered! It just might be the case that several alternative health treatments are within your reach.

How about regular insurance plans? Consumer reports offers a helpful list of tips.

Insurance plans can be all over the place, and plans differ so widely that it is impossible to make a generalization. However, as noted above, be sure to check with your plan to get details on what is covered, and what co-pays and deductibles apply.

Not sure how to check on your benefits? Chances are your plan ID card has a toll-free number and web site you can check. You may also find it helpful to talk with the benefits coordinator in your company’s Human Resources department.

In some cases, your insurance will cover some alternative therapies if you have a physician referral. Speak with your primary care doctor or other specialist you are currently seeing, and ask for a referral if your insurance company will honor this treatment route.

Sometimes insurance companies will negotiate a discount directly with the alternative healthcare providers. While this may not be as great of a savings as traditional insurance coverage, it could bring a treatment modality within your reach.

It never hurts to ask, and if this benefit is not available, let them know it is something that you would appreciate them pursuing! Chances are you are not the only person asking – insurance companies are always looking for options to make them stand out.

Next, consider the total cost of the treatment you are looking into. If you have a high-deductible insurance plan that requires you to spend hundreds and possibly even thousands to reach the deductible, alternative treatments can turn out to be a good deal over traditional medicine.

Don’t forget to submit claims for your alternative treatments to your insurance! Even if your insurance does not cover them, they may apply them to your deductible.

If you haven’t heard of a health savings plan, it is definitely time to look into this option! These plans use tax-free dollars that you set aside to create a flexible spending account. You are often permitted to spend this money on a wider variety of health care options – check with your plan for limitations.

Did you know that you are entitled to appeal decisions that your insurer makes regarding your care? Check your insurer’s website or call customer service and ask about the appeals process.

Finally, check with the provider themselves, and be willing to shop around a little. Do they give discounts for patients who pay directly? Do they have family plans or discount packages? Do they offer payment plans? And don’t forget to look at options like groupon!

Before you walk away from alternative treatments, thinking they are just not within your reach, look into your options. Chances are they are more attainable than you thought!