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Naturopath Health Insurance

Name: Naturopath Health Insurance
Creator: Savvy
Published: 2023-04-18T16:19:45+09:30

Compare quotes for extras health insurance which may cover natural therapies with Savvy.

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Written by , updated on July 6th, 2023

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Naturopathic health treatments are growing in popularity in Australia. According to the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society (ATMS), the number of registered naturopaths in Australia has been steadily increasing and as of April 2023, there were over 7,000 in the country, indicating a growing interest in naturopathy as a profession.

You can find out what insurance coverage is available for naturopathic health treatments here with Savvy. You'll be able to compare health insurance policies from a panel of some of Australia’s top insurers in one place. Find and compare health insurance through us today.

What is naturopathy and is it covered by health insurance?

Naturopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare which focuses on natural remedies and treatments to support the body's innate healing abilities. It encompasses various treatments and remedies including herbal medicine, nutrition advice, massage therapies, acupuncture and lifestyle changes to promote overall wellbeing and address both acute and chronic health issues.

Naturopathy is gaining popularity in Australia as people seek holistic approaches to health and wellness. However, Medicare does not cover natural therapies or ‘alternative’ medicine.

Under Australian Government legislation enacted in April 2019, private health insurers are also no longer allowed to offer cover for some specified natural therapies. The naturapathic therapies that private health insurance may not offer rebates for include:

Alexander technique
aromatherapy
Bowen therapy
Buteyko
Feldenkrais
homeopathy
iridology
kinesiology
naturopathy
pilates
reflexology
Rolfing
shiatsu
tai chi
Western herbalism
yoga

Despite this ban on offering private health insurance coverage for some named naturopathic treatments, some extras cover health insurance policies do offer cover for certain treatments which are considered ‘natural’ therapies. These include:

remedial massage
myotherapy
acupuncture

However, because of the government restrictions, you generally can’t claim naturopathic treatments on private health insurance. In addition, your extras cover may only offer coverage if the service provider you use is a registered practitioner recognised by your health fund as a preferred provider. You can ask your health fund if they can provide you with a list of preferred providers in your area.

Because coverage for naturopathic treatments can be slightly complicated in Australia, it’s important to compare policies carefully if you’re considering using natural or ‘alternative’ therapists.

By comparing the terms and conditions of extras policies through Savvy, you’ll be able to get a clear idea of which ones may offer the most suitable coverage for treatments by natural therapists operating in your area.

Are there waiting periods which apply to natural therapies?

Natural therapies such as acupuncture or remedial massage are known as ancillary health services. When you first buy an extras health insurance policy, there may be waiting periods involved. A waiting period is a specified period that you need to wait after purchasing the policy before you can claim any benefits from the policy.

For pre-existing conditions (such as health issues you experienced in the 12 months prior to purchasing your health insurance policy), there may be a waiting period of up to 12 months. For all other ancillary services, the waiting period is usually between two and six months.

However, some health funds may offer waivers of waiting periods as a special offer to attract new customers. These special offers may allow you to claim for treatments such as optical and dental as soon you’ve paid your first month’s premium without a waiting period.

Comparing extras health insurance policies through Savvy could help you see what special offers are available right now and choose a policy which offers the coverage for ancillary services, such as a range of natural treatments, you’re looking for.

Types of health insurance

Hospital cover

This can help you pay for medical treatment if you need to be admitted to hospital. It can help cover the cost of your admission or accommodation and the fees charged by doctors, surgeons and anaesthetists. It can also cover other costs associated with a stay in a private hospital.

Extras cover

This helps cover the costs of health care treatments outside a hospital setting which aren’t covered by Medicare. This can include major and minor dental treatment, orthodontics, hearing aids, physiotherapy, glasses, contact lenses and podiatry (in most cases with annual limits).

Cover for singles

This is a standard health insurance policy designed for a single person, rather than being tailored to cater to the needs of a couple or family. It may include hospital cover plus extras, or either of these types of insurance on their own, depending on what you're after for your health cover.

Cover for families

A family health insurance policy is designed for a family unit including dependent children who may reach up to 31 years of age with some insurers. It offers private health insurance suitable for the whole family and may include shared limits for all members included in your policy.

Cover for seniors

A health insurance policy aimed at seniors is designed to appeal to people who are in the second half of their life. These are often specific Silver Plus policies that offer the same cover as other health insurance policies, with the exception that pregnancy and childbirth cover may not be included.

OVHC

Visitors who are in Australia on a temporary basis for travel, work or study may be able to take out Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC). Many visas issued in Australia come with a requirement to take out this type of insurance, which covers visitors who may not be covered by Medicare.

Ambulance cover

Ambulance cover is generally available either packaged into your private health insurance or on its own as a separate policy or subscription. By having this protection, you could be covered for all eligible ambulance travel in Australia (subject to your insurer's terms and conditions).

Basic hospital cover

The cheapest and most barebones form of private hospital insurance, this can include cover for rehab, in-hospital psychiatric services and palliative care. Having this policy will enable you to avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS) and Lifetime Health Cover (LHC) loading.

Bronze hospital cover

Bronze hospital cover is a step up from basic insurance, including 18 further clinical categories such as ear, nose and throat, bone, joint and muscle, digestive system, joint reconstructions, gynaecology and chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer.

Silver hospital cover

Silver hospital cover is the second-most expensive type of policy and offers the second-most clinical categories. On top of what's offered by basic and bronze cover, it also includes heart and vascular system, lung and chest, blood, hearing device implantation and dental surgery.

Gold hospital cover

The highest level of private hospital insurance available in Australia, gold policies can offer cover for pregnancy and birth, weight loss surgery, assisted reproductive services and insulin pumps on top of all the categories provided by silver, bronze and basic hospital insurance.

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Frequently asked questions about health insurance for naturopathic treatments

If I switch health funds so I have more coverage for natural therapies, will I have to serve my waiting periods again?

This will depend on the type of extras policy you had before the switch and your insurer. If you’re upgrading your extras cover from a cheaper policy to a more comprehensive one, there may be additional waiting periods to serve. However, some health funds will recognise and take into account the previous waiting periods you’ve already served prior to switching funds.

Will a cheap extras policy offer me coverage for natural therapies such as acupuncture?

All extras policies are different and health funds have different rules about what is and isn’t covered under ancillary services. However, in general, a basic extras policy will only cover you for the most basic healthcare treatments such as optical and dental services. If you wish to have a greater range of cover, you may need to look at more expensive extras policies which will offer a wider range of coverage, such as for chiropractor visits, podiatry and physiotherapy.

Can I be covered for a visit to a naturopath to receive nutrition advice?

If your naturopathic nutritionist is a registered provider recognised by your insurer, you may be able to claim back a portion of the cost of receiving nutrition advice. Health insurance companies must ensure all healthcare providers are registered practitioners with a medically-recognised qualification in their specialty field. When you make a claim on your health insurance policy, you’ll be asked to supply the provider number of your healthcare practitioner. For online claims, the provider number will be seven digits followed by one letter.

Is the cost of any form of Chinese medicine covered by private health insurance?

No – Chinese medicine is a common exclusion on extras health policies, so it isn’t covered by private health insurance. It is one of the 16 natural health treatments which health funds may not offer cover for following the Australian Government’s 2016 review into naturopathic and alternative health treatments.

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