Does the health insurance cover the costs for alternative medicine?
May 17, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Thomas Eiserfelder
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to you because I have some questions regarding the coverage of costs for alternative medicine by health insurance. In recent months, I have been experiencing symptoms such as chronic headaches and stomach problems. Despite numerous visits to my general practitioner and various specialists, no concrete causes for my symptoms have been identified so far.
I have heard about alternative therapy options such as acupuncture, homeopathy, or osteopathic treatment, and I am wondering if the health insurance covers the costs for such treatments. I have already done some research on the internet, but I am unsure if these therapies are covered by my health insurance.
As I am aware of the financial burden of such treatments, it is important for me to know if I can hope for a coverage of costs by my health insurance. I am concerned about my health and would like to consider all possible treatment options to alleviate my symptoms.
Could you please provide me with information on whether and under what conditions the costs for alternative medicine can be covered by health insurance? Are there any specific applications or approval procedures that I need to consider? I would be grateful for any advice and information to promote my health as best as possible.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Kind regards,
Karl Schwarz
Dear Mr. Schwarz,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the coverage of alternative medicine costs by health insurance. It is understandable that you are considering possible therapy options to alleviate your symptoms. Generally, statutory health insurance covers the costs of alternative healing methods such as acupuncture, homeopathy, or osteopathic treatments, if certain conditions are met.
First and foremost, it is important to know that cost coverage usually only applies to serious or chronic illnesses for which conventional therapies have not been effective enough. In your case, with chronic headaches and stomach problems, alternative treatment could be considered if conventional therapies have not yielded the desired results.
To apply for cost coverage, it is advisable to first speak with your treating physician and jointly decide if alternative forms of therapy are suitable for you. Your doctor can then provide you with a corresponding diagnosis and issue a medical necessity certificate that you will need for the application to your health insurance.
Furthermore, it is important to inform yourself in advance about the specific requirements for cost coverage with your health insurance. In some cases, it may also be necessary for you to submit a request for cost reimbursement and obtain approval from the health insurance before starting the alternative treatment.
It is advisable to carefully compile all relevant documents and medical certificates and complete the application in full to ensure a smooth process. If you have any further questions or need assistance with the application, I am at your disposal.
I hope this information is helpful to you and wish you all the best for your health.
Best regards,
Thomas Eiserfelder
