FAQs Archive - Mend Acupuncture

Q: How do I book my virtual pre-approval visit?

Call our front desk or book online. We'll get you set up with the Nurse Practitioner and take it from there.

Q: I have a Medicare Advantage plan. Am I still eligible?

Yes. All Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover everything Original Medicare covers, including acupuncture for chronic low back pain. Some plans may even offer additional acupuncture benefits. We'll verify your plan details when you call.

Q: Does Medicare cover acupuncture for anything other than low back pain?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text]Not under Original Medicare. Neck pain, knee pain, headaches, and general wellness visits are not covered. We offer all of these services at Mend on a self-pay basis. If you have secondary insurance through an employer, union, or other source, that plan may cover non-back-pain services depending on your benefits — we are happy to verify your coverage and let you know what you're eligible for.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: What will I actually owe?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text]Medicare covers 80% of the approved amount for both the initial Nurse Practitioner consultation and your acupuncture visits, leaving you responsible for a 20% coinsurance. If you have a supplemental (Medigap) plan, it may cover some or all of that remaining 20%. If your Part B deductible hasn't been met yet for the year, you'll be responsible for the full cost of visits until it is. Once it's met, the 80/20 split applies going forward[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: What if I'm not improving after the first round?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" overlay_color="" video_preview_image="" border_color="" border_style="solid" padding_top="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" padding_right=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="true" min_height="" hover_type="none" link="" border_sizes_top="" border_sizes_bottom="" border_sizes_left="" border_sizes_right="" first="true"][fusion_text] We'll have an honest conversation with you about next steps. Medicare won't continue coverage without documented improvement, but we'll work with you to understand your options. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: How many visits will Medicare cover?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text]Medicare covers up to 12 visits in your first 90 days. If you're improving, you can receive up to 8 additional visits — for a maximum of 20 treatments per year.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: What happens at the virtual pre-approval visit?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text]It's a short conversation — usually 30 minutes or less. She'll review your pain history, ask a few questions, and confirm your eligibility for Medicare-covered care. You don't need to prepare anything special.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: How do I know if my back pain qualifies?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text]The simplest test: if your low back pain has lasted 12 weeks or longer and hasn't been linked to a specific diagnosis like cancer, infection, or recent surgery, there's a good chance you qualify. Our Nurse Practitioner will confirm during your virtual visit.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Q: Do I need a referral from my primary care doctor?

[fusion_builder_container type="flex" hundred_percent="no" equal_height_columns="no" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" parallax_speed="0.3" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" border_style="solid"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" type="1_1" background_position="left top" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes" background_repeat="no-repeat" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" center_content="no" last="no" hover_type="none" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text]No referral needed. Your pre-approval visit with our Nurse Practitioner is all that's required before you begin treatment.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]