Does my insurance plan cover the treatments?
- ICBC
Since April 1st of 2019, you are eligible for 12 pre-authorized acupuncture treatments if you are a driver, passenger or pedestrian that has been injured in a motor vehicle accident (MVA). ICBC will cover for 12 treatments within 12 weeks of the date of the accident.
No doctor’s note required. All we need is your ICBC claim number to proceed with treatment and direct billing to ICBC.
- WSBC
- Extended Health Care
If you or your partner has extended medical coverage there is usually an amount or a number of treatments that are fully or partially covered. It is up to you to contact your personal extended medical plan provider to find out more information regarding your coverage.
At the end of your treatment, we will give you a receipt which you can submit to your insurance office for partial/full reimbursement. We can submit your insurance claims for you if you have trouble submitting your insurance claims and your insurance provider is one of the following: Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, CINUP, Cowan, iA Financial Group, Johnson, Johnston Group, DesJardins Insurance, First Canadian Insurance Corporation, GSC, The Canada Life Assurance Company, Manulife, Maximum Benefit, Pacific Blue Cross, and Sun Life Financial.
- MSP Premium
Since Jan. 1st of 2017, acupuncture is covered under BC Medical for premium assistance clients (whose net income is under $42,000). The plan covers $23.00 of each visit's fee for up to 10 visits a year. We will claim this amount directly to MSP after your visit.
- CAF, RCMP, VAC
If you are a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police or a client of Veterans Affairs Canada, we can directly claim the amount you are covered for to Blue Cross.
How many treatments will I need?
Each person is unique with an “individualized treatment plan.” No two conditions or people respond exactly the same. The number of treatments depends on the severity, and the patients’ physical state at the time of treatment. If you have a chronic ailment that has lasted years, treatment generally is once or twice a week for a few months. The goal is to lessen the frequency of treatments until you only need to come as needed. After the first few treatments we will be able to evaluate how your body responds to acupuncture. It is vital to complete the course of a treatment to receive the full benefits of Acupuncture.
What to expect during your first treatment
Your first treatment is the beginning of being proactive about your health. I want to make this experience as a part of your journey to understanding more about yourself. The duration of time is up to an hour and consists of a full evaluation of signs and symptoms of your overall health and habits. This evaluation is to make a Chinese medical diagnosis, using pulse taking of both wrists, and observation of your tongue coat and colour, skin texture and body posture.
After we talk about our approach to helping you and a treatment plan, we begin with your first treatment with acupuncture.
How to prepare for your first treatment:
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your first appointment and have the patient forms
filled out prior to your appointment to save time.
How does Acupuncture feel?
I begin the first session by explaining the common feelings that you may experience.
Acupuncture is a unique feeling that is different to each person. Sterile needles are placed into their point locations, there are a variety of sensations a person may feel. A dull or energizing feeling at the local site of the needle, radiation through the channels or other parts of the body are typical of a session. You may not feel anything at all for the first few treatments; this does not mean that it is not working, it may be that you aren’t use to this feeling in your body and in the course of the sessions the feeling will become more recognizable. The essence that we want to achieve is qi(energy) or life force movement. I also encourage body mind awareness to benefit your overall long term health.