Complementary and Alternative Medicine

To meet the rising demand for complementary and alternative care services, Group Health provides options for you to access these services. Eligibility for these services varies based on your health plan and benefit level. If your plan does not cover these services, you still have access to the Complementary Choices discount program.

Covered Services
Most of our plans cover a limited number of self-referred acupuncture, naturopathy, and chiropractic visits. Massage therapy services require a referral from your personal physician or primary care provider (PCP) if he or she determines that they are medically necessary. Your personal physician also may provide referrals to acupuncturists or naturopathic physicians if he or she determines that the care is medically necessary.

For services that your health plan covers without requiring a referral, we contract with a network of chiropractors, naturopaths, acupuncturists, and massage therapists. All of our contracted providers meet both our credentialing standards and state or local licensing requirements.

To find a provider, use our Provider Directory. Select "All Specialists" for provider type, then select the type of specialist you are looking for.

Services covered by your health plan follow the same copayment and billing standards as all other services in your health plan. Check your coverage documents or contact Customer Service for more information.

Complementary Choices
When your care doesn't meet Group Health's coverage or referral criteria or if you've met your self-referral limit, Group Health's Complementary Choices program offers you a 20 percent discount on professional fees when you use our contracted network of complementary and alternative medicine providers. You can use your discount whenever you receive non-covered services from a Group Health contracted network provider.

To find massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopathy, and chiropractic providers, use the Provider Directory. Select "All Specialists" for provider type, then select the type of specialist you are looking for. Services from these providers are eligible for the Complementary Choices discount.

To receive your discount, you must use a provider listed in our Provider Directory. A provider's inclusion does not constitute Group Health's endorsement of the quality of a provider's work or a guarantee of availability.

Note: To receive your discount, you must use a provider listed in the Provider Directory. A provider's inclusion does not constitute Group Health's endorsement of the quality of a provider's work or a guarantee of availability.

Fitness training, yoga, tai chi, and Pilates
The Complementary Choices program also offers discounts for certain wellness and prevention services that are not covered by our health plans, including personal fitness and exercise trainers and yoga, tai chi, and Pilates instructors. To find a trainer or instructor, go to the Complementary Choices directory and select the type of provider you are looking for.

Some areas may not yet have local availability for all services. We expect the Complementary Choices network to grow and are recruiting personal fitness trainers and yoga, tai chi and Pilates instructors.

If your favorite yoga, tai chi, or Pilates instructor or personal trainer is not in the Complementary Choices directory, you may nominate them for inclusion. Go to the Complementary Choices directory and search for a provider. At the bottom of the results page is a link for nominating a new provider.

Billing and payments
It's simple to use your Complementary Choices discount. When you make an appointment, tell the provider that you are a Group Health member. Show your Group Health ID card at the beginning of your visit and ask for the 20 percent discount.

You don't need paperwork or referrals, and no copayments or coinsurance applies. You are responsible for paying the provider at the time of service.

The program covers office visits, classes, and sessions. There are no limits to the number of visits, classes, or sessions to be eligible for the discount. It does not include laboratory tests, X-rays, or any products the provider may recommend, including herbal or nutritional supplements (or nutraceuticals). The discount does not apply to copayments or coinsurance for covered services.