Medicare Part B only covers 12 acupuncture sessions with a qualified, licensed medical professional within 90 days to treat medically diagnosed chronic lower back pain.

Acupuncture is a holistic remedy that has been practiced for thousands of years. Research suggests that, depending on the circumstances, acupuncture may be an effective treatment for acute and chronic pain.

In part as a response to the opioid crisis, on January 21, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new rules regarding Medicare coverage for acupuncture treatment. Read to learn about Medicare’s current coverage for acupuncture to treat chronic lower back pain.

Medicare Part B covers acupuncture treatments for the treatment of chronic lower back pain. These treatments must be conducted by a medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professional, such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, who has both of these qualifications:

  • a master’s or doctoral level degree in acupuncture or Oriental Medicine from a school accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (ACAOM)
  • a current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice acupuncture in the state where care is being provided

How many sessions of acupuncture does Medicare cover?

Medicare Part B covers 12 acupuncture sessions within 90 days and up to 20 sessions per year. If you show improvement during treatment, the additional 8 sessions may be covered.

You can also sign up for Medicare Advantage (Part C), which is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Part C plans offer the same benefits as Original Medicare, but some Part C plans may offer additional benefits for acupuncture in cases where Original Medicare doesn’t cover it. This depends on the plan.

What is considered medically necessary for acupuncture?

You qualify for coverage for acupuncture treatment if you fulfill the following three criteria:

  • You have a diagnosis of chronic lower back pain that has lasted 12 weeks or longer.
  • Your chronic lower back pain has no identified systemic cause or is not associated with metastatic, inflammatory, or infectious disease.
  • Your chronic lower back pain is not associated with surgery or pregnancy.

Acupuncture costs can vary according to your provider and where you live. Your first appointment may be the most expensive, as you will need to pay the consultation fee and any treatment. In fact, according to a 2019 study, the cost of first-time acupuncture ranged from as low as $15 to as high as $400 per session.

Because rates can vary, it’s a good idea to ask your practitioner how much your session will cost. If possible, get an estimate in writing before you agree to be treated by your chosen acupuncture provider.

To be covered by Medicare, any acupuncture practitioner must meet Medicare requirements and agree to accept Medicare payment. How much you’ll end up paying out-of-pocket after your coverage kicks in depends on which Medicare part you’re enrolled in.

If you have Medicare Part B, you’ll need to meet the Part B deductible ($257 in 2025). After that, Part B will pay for 80% of any covered treatment or service. You also have to pay a monthly premium, which starts at $185, depending on your income.

If you are enrolled in Part C, your plan is managed by a private insurer, which means your premium, deductible, and coinsurance will depend on your specific plan. According to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is around $17.00 in 2025.

In addition, to stay enrolled in a Part C plan, you still have to pay the Part B premium. That said, some Part C may cover your Part B premium.

On January 21, 2020, CMS issued a ruling that Medicare will cover acupuncture services when needed to treat chronic lower back pain. Before this change, Medicare didn’t cover acupuncture for any condition.

This decision was part of an effort to provide alternative treatments to opioids for pain management. CMS decided to have Medicare cover acupuncture because studies had shown that acupuncture can improve pain and daily function, and many private insurers already cover it.

This initiative was aligned with CMS’s efforts to reduce opioid prescriptions and overdose deaths. You can find Medicare acupuncture providers on Medicare.gov.

While Medicare doesn’t cover most alternative therapies, you may be covered for some alternative treatments under specific circumstances.

  • Massage therapy: Part B doesn’t cover massage therapy, even when prescribed by your doctor. That said, some Part C plans may offer additional massage benefits.
  • Chiropractic treatment: If you have a diagnosis of a slipped bone in your spine, you may be eligible for medically necessary chiropractic treatments through Part B. To be covered, the treatment must be prescribed by a medical doctor. Part C should provide the same benefit.
  • Physical therapy: Part B covers medically necessary physical therapy treatments when performed by a physical therapist who participates in Medicare and when prescribed by a doctor who submits documentation showing that you need the treatment.

Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for some health conditions that affect seniors, such as rheumatoid arthritis or chronic lower back pain.

Since January 21, 2020, Medicare Part B has covered acupuncture treatment of chronic lower back pain for up to 12 sessions in 90 days and up to 20 sessions per year.