Acupuncture and Insurer: When Does the Insurance Pay TCM Treatments?

1. For what is acupuncture used in Switzerland?

Acupuncture is a form of therapy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Therapists use very fine needles at certain points of the body. According to TCM teaching, needling influences the energy flow and can alleviate complaints. Acupuncture is one of the best-known methods of alternative and complementary medicine in Switzerland.

2. Which acupuncture treatment does basic insurance cover?

Basic insurance covers acupuncture, provided a doctor with FMH-recognised continued training carries out the treatment. Recognised are the certificate of competence Acupuncture-TCM (ASA) and the diploma of the Swiss Medical Society for Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (SACAM). The legal basis is Art. 25a KVG.

Billing is made under TARMED like a medical therapy. Deductible and co-payment apply. An acupuncture session at the doctor for CHF 150 results, with the deductible reached, in CHF 15 co-payment (10 %). Basic insurance covers CHF 135.

3. When does supplementary insurance cover acupuncture at the naturopath?

Acupuncture sessions at TCM therapists or naturopaths are covered exclusively via a supplementary insurance with complementary medicine coverage. Insurers pay 70 to 90 percent of the recognised hourly rate. Prerequisite is an entry of the therapist in one of the two Swiss quality registers: EMR (Empirical Medicine Register) or ASCA (Swiss Foundation for Complementary Medicine). The status you can check before the first session at emr.ch and asca.ch.

The reimbursement ranges from limited annual flat rates (CHF 500 to 1'000) to tariffs with an unlimited number of sessions at a fixed hourly rate. Pure acupuncture is covered immediately at most providers without waiting periods. For acupuncture for birth preparation, however, waiting periods for maternity benefits of 9 to 12 months often apply. Clarify this special case before signing the contract.

4. What does an acupuncture session cost in Switzerland?

The costs per session lie between CHF 100 and 150, depending on therapist, region and session duration. The number of sessions differs by indication:

• Acute complaints: 5 to 8 sessions per year, annual costs between CHF 500 and CHF 1'200
• Chronic pain: 12 to 20 sessions per year, annual costs between CHF 1'200 and CHF 3'000
• Migraine and stress treatment: 10 to 15 sessions per year, annual costs between CHF 1'000 and CHF 2'250

Example calculation: A 42-year-old teacher from the canton of Basel-Stadt uses 15 acupuncture sessions per year for chronic back pain. With a practice tariff of CHF 120 per session, total costs of CHF 1'800 result. Without supplementary insurance, she bears them fully herself. Via a policy with 80-percent reimbursement, the insurer reimburses CHF 1'440. The own share reduces to CHF 360 per year.

In case of chronic pain, many patients combine acupuncture with other manual therapies such as osteopathy, medical massages or craniosacral therapy. These therapies usually run via the same complementary medicine tariff and share the joint annual limit.

5. Is supplementary insurance for TCM and acupuncture worthwhile?

An acupuncture supplementary insurance pays off particularly for patients with recurring migraine, chronic back pain or stress complaints. Anyone who plans regular sessions at a TCM therapist outside the medical practice saves several hundred francs per year with the suitable tariff. Pregnant women with acupuncture for birth preparation or patients with allergic complaints also fare cheaper with a tariff with high cost coverage per session.

Check before signing:

Confirm TCM therapists in the register. Without an active EMR or ASCA entry, the insurer does not reimburse an acupuncture session at the naturopath. With the medical acupuncturist, on the other hand, basic insurance applies, provided the FMH certificate of competence ASA or the SACAM diploma is present.

Check recognised hourly rate. Acupuncture sessions cost between CHF 100 and 150. Insurers usually cover 70 to 90 percent of this. With chronic pain with 15 to 20 sessions per year, a tariff with unlimited limit is usually cheaper. In the health insurance comparison, you see premiums and hourly rates next to each other.

Clarify the waiting period for acupuncture for birth preparation. Acupuncture in pregnancy falls under maternity benefits. Some providers require a waiting period of 9 to 12 months before the onset of pregnancy.

Provide correct information on health. At application, a health questionnaire takes place. Truthful information under Art. 6 VVG protects against later benefit cuts.

This article was first published on 16/02/2026