Is dry needling covered by insurance?
Asked by: Prof. Mara Price DDS | Last update: August 10, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (15 votes)
Can dry needling be billed to insurance?
For example, some insurance plans may cover the service if it is deemed medically necessary to treat a particular condition or injury. In contrast, other plans may consider it an alternative or experimental treatment and not cover the dry needling cost.
What is the cost of dry needling?
The price for dry needling sessions varies according to practitioner. Some charge about $40 to $60 per session, others as low as $15 per session.
Does medical cover dry needling?
A note on Medicare and dry needling
Medicare will only provide coverage for acupuncture, including dry needling, for chronic lower back pain. Any other condition will not be covered. Not all providers are able to provide acupuncture. Medicare cannot directly pay licensed acupuncturists for their services.
How much does it cost to get dry needling certified?
Certification in Dry Needling® will be awarded upon successful completion of the DN-1 & DN-2 dry needling courses, giving 54 hours of hands-on dry needling education in total. Each 3-day dry needling course is $895.
Does My Insurance Pay For Dry Needling?
What are the cons of dry needling?
Potential for adverse reactions. While extremely uncommon, there is a risk of adverse reactions or complications associated with dry needling, such as infection, nerve injury, or pneumothorax (collapsed lung) in rare cases.
Why is dry needling illegal in some states?
Opponents argue that dry needling may encroach upon the scope of practice of professions such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, leading to concerns about patient safety and competence.
Who is not a candidate for dry needling?
You may not be a candidate for dry needling if you have any of the following: local infection, lymphdema, fear of needles, bleeding disorders, DM, vascular disease, a compromised immune system, pacemaker, acute joint replacement, breast implants, or are in your first trimester of pregnancy.
Is dry needling covered by insurance BCBS?
Dry needling of trigger points for the treatment of myofascial pain is considered investigational for all applications. BCBSNC does not provide coverage for investigational services or procedures.
Who should avoid dry needling?
Dry needling is not for those with unmanaged blood-clotting or immune-system disorders. Plus, the American Physical Therapy Association does not recommend dry needling for children younger than 12. Always check with your medical provider or physical therapist if you have concerns.
What is better than dry needling?
Dry needling and acupuncture both involve puncturing the skin with thin needles for therapeutic purposes. While their shared aim is often pain relief, acupuncture currently has more support in research. Practitioners of dry needling attempt to release tension from knots and pressure points in muscles.
Do you need a prescription for dry needling?
Given that dry needling is a form of “treatment” it must be preceded by a prescription or referral of a physician or other authorized provider.
How painful is dry needling?
For almost everyone, the needle is not an issue. We use a very thin filiform needle that is so thin that most people don't feel it. So, even if you are afraid of needles, it should not be an issue.
Who is qualified for dry needling?
Dry needling isn't allowed in some states due to the laws that govern providers in those states. Depending on the state, dry needling is performed by licensed physical therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors or medical doctors who've been trained in the procedure.
Does insurance cover Microneedling?
You might qualify to have your microneedling treatment covered by insurance, if your doctor deems the procedure medically necessary, such as for treating scars from a traumatic injury or required surgery. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to see if you meet their criteria.
How much does a session of dry needling cost?
How Much Does a Dry Needling (1 session) Cost? On MDsave, the cost of a Dry Needling (1 session) ranges from $31 to $92. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can shop, compare prices and save.
Can you bill insurance for dry needling?
The only way that dry-needling billing CPT codes are to be paid is when the National Coverage Determination (NCD) is done. Other than this, the therapists are unlikely to get paid for the services by the insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid.
How do I know if my PT is covered by insurance?
Review your policy documents to learn more about your insurance coverage. You can also contact your insurance provider directly. They can give you further details on your plan's coverage, limitations, and requirements to cover physical therapy services.
What is the rate for dry needling?
The cost of the treatment differs from one place to the other. However, a single session of dry needling may cost anywhere between Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000.
What are the negative effects of dry needling?
Dry needling side effects may include soreness, bleeding, bruising, and fatigue. A minimally invasive treatment with a low risk of complication, research suggests that dry needling may be effective in relieving acute and chronic pain.
What states do not allow dry needling?
The ability of PTs to practice dry needling is a state decision, and according to the American Physical Therapy Association website, there are only six states left that do not allow dry needling – California being one. In 36, states, dry needling is legal; seven states have no opinion.
How long does dry needling last?
Different people will feel the effects of dry needling for different amounts of time, but in most cases, the effects will last for a few days after the first treatment. The duration of the positive effects from dry needling typically gets longer and longer after each follow-up session.
What is an alternative to dry needling?
Joint mobilization — When it comes to tight fascia that's impacting the range of motion of your joints, such as in your shoulder, joint mobilization may be an effective alternative to dry needling. This manual therapy technique involves the physical therapist gently moving the joint in repeated movements.
Do you need a referral for dry needling?
Do I Need A Physician Referral? Although many insurances do NOT require a referral for physical therapy or Dry Needling, certain insurances may.
What happens when dry needling hits a nerve?
When a needle grazes or “hits” a nerve during dry needling, you might feel a quick, sharp sensation. It's often described as a zapping or shooting feeling that travels along the nerve pathway. This happens because nerves are essentially your body's electrical wiring—they're designed to send signals to your brain.