CMS has determined that dry needling does not fall within the definition of a treatment that is medically necessary, and therefore, coverage is not extended to dry needling services. Acupuncture is similar to dry needling, but Original Medicare insurance does provide benefits for this treatment.
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.
The specific indication(s) for this intervention must be clearly documented and supported by the clinical notes. “Patients should be informed in writing that the evidence for dry needling's effectiveness is inconclusive and the service is unproven and therefore not a covered service.
There are some things Original Medicare won't cover. Generally, most vision, dental and hearing services are not covered by Medicare Parts A and B.
It May Cause Muscle Soreness
Muscle soreness is a common side effect of dry needling. Dry needling can even make your body feel worse than before the treatment. It's important to know that your body might need to learn to respond better to treatment before you start to feel the benefits.
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.
The average cost of dry needling is about $60 per session, and most physical therapists will recommend 3 to 6 sessions. However, this will usually be part of a treatment plan and used in conjunction with other services, so it may not be itemized in this way.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) offers coverage for massage therapy, depending on certain conditions. However, Original Medicare does not cover massage therapy. A person enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes massage therapy will get treatment coverage under certain circumstances.
It's important to know that Medicare won't cover any blood test if it isn't medically necessary. If you seek a blood test on your own, it's unlikely you'll get it covered. Tests not covered may include those for employment purposes, wellness screenings, or routine monitoring without medical necessity.
As we know, dry needling targets the trigger points that are running closer to the nerves; there are chances that the needle may trigger the nerves accidentally. Such accidents may cause immediate pain and discomfort, nerve irritation or damage, inflammation and swelling, and potential complications.
There are several alternative treatments that may be more effective than dry needling, depending on your condition and preferences. Some of these alternatives include acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care.
Dry needling of trigger points for the treatment of myofascial pain is considered not medically necessary. Dry needling is associated with a high incidence of mild adverse events and the evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.
Dry needling is a safe technique for treating many musculoskeletal conditions, including shoulder pain, rotator cuff pain, biceps tendinitis, iliotibial band syndrome, Achilles tendinitis, low back pain, tennis elbow, whiplash or neck pain, headaches, muscle strains, hip pain and temporomandibular pain, also called TMJ ...
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.
There's no limit on how much Medicare pays for your medically necessary outpatient physical therapy services in one calendar year.
What kind of equipment does Medicare not cover? Examples: wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, power scooters, portable oxygen equipment, orthotics, prosthetics, certain diabetes supplies.
Part B (Medical Insurance)
covers up to 12 acupuncture treatments in 90 days for chronic low back pain. Medicare covers an additional 8 sessions if you show improvement. If you aren't showing improvement, Medicare won't cover your additional treatments and you'll pay 100% of the costs if you continue getting them.
What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP / UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Cigna and Anthem.
Tummy tucks, or abdominoplasty, are considered cosmetic procedures and are not covered by Medicaid or Medicare unless deemed medically necessary. Dual eligibility for Medicaid and Medicare is possible, with low-income seniors and disabled individuals often meeting the criteria for both programs.
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.
$75,000 - $85,000. Our patient care approach focuses on manual therapy techniques, including dry needling, to help individuals reach their highest potential.