Your first visit begins with a detailed conversation about your health history, current concerns, and goals for treatment. This helps us understand not only your main symptoms, but how your whole system is functioning.

Next, a focused physical exam is performed. For musculoskeletal issues, we assess posture and movement, identify areas of tension or tenderness, and evaluate muscle and joint restrictions. For internal concerns, we use traditional diagnostic methods such as pulse reading, tongue observation, and gentle palpation of key acupuncture points to identify patterns of imbalance.

After the exam, you will receive an acupuncture treatment, and this part lasts about 30 minutes. After the treatment is completed, we will discuss plans for followup – how many treatments, how often, and whether Chinese herbs may be helpful for your situation.

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin. They are much finer than those used for injections, so most people feel little to no discomfort when they are inserted. You may notice a brief sensation such as a light pinch, tingling, warmth, heaviness, or a dull ache. These sensations are normal and often indicate that the body is responding to the treatment.

Once the needles are in place, many patients feel deeply relaxed, and some even fall asleep during the session. The overall experience is typically calming rather than painful. If you ever feel discomfort at any point, adjustments can be made to ensure you remain comfortable throughout your treatment.

The number of treatments recommended depends on your specific condition, how long it has been present, and how your body responds to acupuncture. After your initial evaluation, we will outline a personalized treatment plan and discuss what you can expect.

Acupuncture works cumulatively, meaning that each session builds on the progress of the last. While some people notice improvement quickly, lasting change typically requires a series of treatments. Consistency is important—sessions scheduled too far apart may slow progress—whereas regular treatments tend to produce the best and most sustainable results.

Please complete your online health history and consent forms prior to your appointment so we can make the most of your time in the clinic.

On the day of your visit, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (short sleeves or pants that roll up easily are ideal). Have a light meal or snack beforehand—avoid arriving on an empty stomach. It’s also best to limit or avoid caffeine immediately before your appointment, as it can interfere with relaxation and the full benefits of treatment.

Finally, bring a list of current medications, along with any recent lab results or relevant medical records that may help us better understand your health history.

Many health insurance plans provide coverage for acupuncture. Our clinic is a preferred provider with several insurers, including Regence, Premera Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Community Health Plan of Washington, among others. We recommend verifying your specific benefits prior to treatment so you understand your coverage details. 

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) may also be used to cover copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Insurance coverage requires that treatment be considered medically necessary. This means we must document measurable improvement over the course of care. If your symptoms resolve, or if progress plateaus despite appropriate treatment, we are required to discontinue billing insurance. Insurance carriers may have limits as to which conditions can be reimbursed. 

Maintenance or preventive acupuncture is typically not covered by medical insurance. If you choose to continue care to help prevent recurrence of symptoms, those visits would be self-pay. Established patients may purchase treatment packages for ongoing maintenance care.

At this time, licensed acupuncturists are not recognized as Medicare providers. As a result, we are unable to submit claims to traditional Medicare, or Medicare Advantage.

Some secondary Medicare plans offered through companies such as Regence, Premera Blue Cross, or UnitedHealthcare may include acupuncture benefits, depending on the specific policy. In Washington State, some secondary plans often provide up to 12 acupuncture visits per year and allow patients to see licensed acupuncturists for traditional care.

Medicare supplemental (Medigap) plans typically follow Medicare guidelines. Because current Medicare guidelines only pay for acupuncture when performed by western medical doctors, supplemental plans will not cover acupuncture when performed by licensed acupuncturists. For example, AARP-affiliated plans fall under this rule and these do not cover treatment with licensed acupuncturists.

In summary, for Medicare-related plans at Regence, Premera, and UnitedHealthcare, some are categorized as secondary Medicare plans (which we can bill), while others are supplemental plans (which we cannot). Because coverage varies by policy, we recommend contacting our office so we can help you review your specific benefits.

If your insurance plan includes out-of-network coverage, you may be able to obtain some reimbursement by your insurance company for your acupuncture treatments. After paying for your session at the time of your visit, we can provide you with a superbill containing all the details your insurance company requires so you can submit it for reimbursement. Keep in mind that reimbursement is determined by your plan’s allowed amount, which may be lower than our standard session fees.

Before your visit, it’s helpful to confirm the following with your insurance:

• Do I have out-of-network coverage for acupuncture?
• Is there a limit to the number of visits per year?
• What percentage of each visit is covered?
• Do I have an out-of-network deductible, and how much of it has been met?
• Which diagnoses are eligible for coverage?
• What is the process for me to submit superbills?

Reviewing these details in advance can help ensure a smoother reimbursement process.