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Does Medicare cover naturopathic doctors?

Last reviewed October 28, 20263 min readBy the Goodsurance editorial team Reviewed by the Goodsurance editorial team

Many people like the whole person approach of a naturopathic doctor. But Medicare does not pay for these visits. Here is why, what you can get covered instead, and what to check if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.

Why Medicare does not pay naturopaths

Medicare pays only certain kinds of providers. The law spells out who counts as a doctor for Medicare:

  • Medical doctors (MD) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO)
  • Dentists, foot doctors (podiatrists), and eye doctors (optometrists), for some services
  • Chiropractors, only for spine adjustments

Medicare also pays some other providers, like nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, and clinical psychologists. Naturopathic doctors are not on either list. So Medicare does not pay for a naturopath visit, even if your state licenses naturopaths.

This is a rule of Original Medicare. It does not depend on your health or your doctor's notes.

In short: Medicare does not pay naturopathic doctors, so you pay the whole bill.

What Medicare does cover in this space

Some care that naturopaths offer is covered when you get it from a provider Medicare pays.

  • Acupuncture, for chronic low back pain only. The pain must last 12 weeks or more, have no known cause, and not be tied to surgery or pregnancy. Medicare covers up to 12 visits in 90 days. If you improve, you can get 8 more, up to 20 in a year.
  • Spine adjustments by a chiropractor. Medicare covers adjustments by hand or with a small tool, to fix a spine joint that does not move right.
  • Visits with a medical doctor or nurse practitioner for a health problem, and the tests your doctor orders.

For these, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible for 2026.

What Medicare does not cover

  • Visits with a naturopathic doctor.
  • Lab tests a naturopath orders. Medicare pays for lab tests only when a doctor or another provider Medicare recognizes orders them. If a naturopath orders the test, expect to pay the full cost.
  • Acupuncture from a licensed acupuncturist billing on their own. Medicare cannot pay them directly. The acupuncture must come from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant with acupuncture training and a state license.
  • Acupuncture for other problems, like headaches or neck pain.
  • Massage therapy. You pay all costs.
  • Extra services a chiropractor orders, like X-rays, massage, or acupuncture.

What you pay

For a naturopath visit, you pay the full price. Ask the office for its prices before your visit.

  • If you have a Medigap plan: it helps only with care Medicare covers, so it does not pay for a naturopath.
  • If you have Medicare Advantage: some plans offer extra benefits Original Medicare does not, and these vary by plan. Check your plan's Evidence of Coverage, or call the plan.
  • If you have Medicaid too: ask your state Medicaid office what it covers.

If you still want to see a naturopath

  1. Plan to pay the full cost yourself. You cannot send the bill to Medicare later.
  2. Keep seeing your regular doctor. Medicare covers your doctor visits and the tests your doctor orders.
  3. Tell both of them about any herbs or supplements. Your doctor needs a full list of what you take.
  4. Ask about covered options. If you have chronic low back pain, ask your doctor about covered acupuncture.

In short: you can see a naturopath, but Medicare will not pay; use Medicare providers for care you want covered.

Common questions about Medicare

Quick answers, fast .

Tap any question to expand. Each links to a fuller standalone answer.

Will Medicare pay for a naturopathic doctor if my state licenses them?

No. A state license does not change Medicare's rules. Naturopathic doctors are not one of the provider types Medicare pays.

Does Medicare cover acupuncture?

Only for chronic low back pain that lasts 12 weeks or more and has no known cause. A doctor or other provider with acupuncture training must give it. You pay 20% after the Part B deductible.

Does Medicare cover massage therapy?

No. Original Medicare does not cover massage therapy, and you pay all costs. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits, so check your plan.

Does Medicare cover a chiropractor?

Only for spine adjustments, by hand or with a small tool, to fix a spine joint that does not move right. X-rays, massage, and other services a chiropractor orders are not covered.

References

  1. Medicare.gov, Doctor & other health care provider servicesThe doctors and other providers Medicare pays.
  2. Social Security Act section 1861(r): definition of physician (42 U.S.C. 1395x)The law that says who counts as a doctor for Medicare.
  3. Medicare.gov, AcupunctureThe chronic low back pain rule and who can give covered acupuncture.
  4. Medicare.gov, Chiropractic servicesThe one chiropractic service Medicare covers.
  5. Medicare.gov, Massage therapyMassage is not covered by Original Medicare.
  6. eCFR, 42 CFR 410.32(a): Diagnostic testsMedicare pays for a diagnostic test only when the treating doctor or practitioner orders it.

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