Acupuncture
SBK covers the costs of acupuncture for treating chronic lower back and knee pain
For the treatment of chronic pain in the lumbar spine and knee, SBK will cover your acupuncture treatment at qualified medical practices. Acupuncture involves stimulating certain points with fine needles in order to harmonise the flow of energy and release blockages.
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How does acupuncture treatment work?
Acupuncture comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is based on vital energies in the body that circulate along certain pathways. These pathways are also called meridians. As a disturbed energy flow can cause illness, acupuncture involves stimulating certain points on the meridians with fine needles. This method has proven to be particularly helpful in the treatment of chronic pain.
What costs does the SBK cover?
Acupuncture has been proven to help ease chronic lower back pain and chronic knee pain caused by gonarthrosis (osteoarthritis of the knee), and therefore your SBK will cover this treatment.
You can get up to ten acupuncture sessions within a maximum of six weeks.
In exceptional cases with a legitimate medical reason, this limit can be increased to up to 15 sessions within a maximum of 12 weeks. Any subsequent acupuncture treatments can only take place 12 months after your last acupuncture session at the earliest.
If you get acupuncture from a private doctor or alternative practitioner, we are not permitted to cover the costs. This rule applies to all statutory health insurers – and that includes SBK.
How to get acupuncture
You can visit a doctor who is a qualified acupuncture practitioner directly. Then you just need to present your healthcare card.
SBK will be happy to help you find a suitable doctor. Simply ask your SBK consultant before starting treatment.
Frequently asked questions about acupuncture
If you have had chronic pain in the lumbar spine or chronic pain in the knee joint due to osteoarthritis of the knee for at least six months, SBK will cover your acupuncture treatment. The treatment must be carried out by a qualified doctor.
You can go directly to a qualified acupuncture practice. In order for the treatment to be covered by your health card, it must be carried out by a doctor with recognized, high-quality acupuncture training.
The costs of treatment in a private medical practice or by alternative practitioners cannot be covered. This regulation applies to all statutory health insurance companies.
Our SBK consultants are there for you. You can find their contact details in your Meine SBK app or with our SBK consultant
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