List of private health insurers

All private health insurers included on this BAcC ‘open’ list offer some form of insurance cover for acupuncture treatment. Every company and policy is different and we do our best to keep the information current and relevant to BAcC members. Please let us know of any updates or queries.

This list is currently under review. We advise patients to contact their insurer in the first instance to ensure they have the most up-to-date information. 

Company details Policy details
Aviva Healthcare
0800 051 1524
www.aviva.co.uk
  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • each acupuncturist has to register individually
  • deal with queries on case-by-case basis
  • practitioner has to register, form available on website: www.aviva.co.uk/health-insurance/practitioner has to register, form available on website: www.aviva.co.uk/health-insurance/practitioner-zone.html
AXA PPP Healthcare
0800 111 4004 ( Mon-Fri 9am to 7 pm)

Claims 0800 111 4813
www.axappphealthcare.co.uk

 Health cash plan:

  • Patient pays BAcC practitioner and gets re-imbursement from AXA/PPP £60 per session fee
Beneden Health
0800 414 8011
www.benenden.org.uk		 Health cash plan:

  • self-referral ok
  • each claim analysed on an individual basis and if practitioner holds a relevant qualification,each claim analysed on an individual basis and if practitioner holds a relevant qualification,they would pay the claim and on a case-by-case basis
Birmingham Hospital Saturday Fund
0800 622552
www.bhsf.co.uk		 Three quarters of all policies:

  • self-referral
  • BMAS and BAcC members only
Bupa
0800 600 500
www.bupa.co.uk		 Discretionary benefit onsome policies under review:policy specific:

  • no cover for pre-existing conditions
  • no cover for long-term and/or chronic conditions – acute flare-ups only on case-by-caseno cover for long-term and/or chronic conditions – acute flare-ups only on case-by-casebasis – exclusion on temporary relief of symptoms
  • must be a registered medical practitioner; hold BMAS certificate of accreditation; have beenmust be a registered medical practitioner; hold BMAS certificate of accreditation; have beenin continuous substantial practice; up to date with CPD; complete application form
  • Bupa provides recognition for providers who are fully insured members (qualified medicalBupa provides recognition for providers who are fully insured members (qualified medicalacupuncturists) on their insurance policies. However, there are cash plans which may coverfor acupuncture by providers who do not have full recognition by Bupa, eg health addictionscash plan accepts BAcC members
CS Healthcare
0800 917 4325 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5 pm)
www.cshealthcare.co.uk		 Some policies, depending on module chosen (therapy and care)

  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • BAcC and AACP members
Engage Mutual Assurance
(also formally PHSA)
0800 169 4321
www.engagemutual.com		 Health cash plan

  • GP referral only
  • each claim analysed on an individual basis and if practitioner holds a relevant qualification, they would pay the claim on a case-by-case basis
Exeter Family Friendly
0300 123 3200
www.secure.exeterfamily.co.uk		 Four out of five policies

  • GP referral or specialist referred only – no self-referral
  • practitioner has to register – form available on website – and they check qualifications
  • no list of providers available
General & Medical Healthcare
0800 970 9442
www.generalandmedical.com		 All policies but limited benefit

  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • must be accredited by a governing body but no list of providers available
Healthshield
01270 588555
www.healthshield.co.uk		 All policies

  • Acupuncture covered under the health cash plan, ranging from £60 to £655 money back per year.
  • Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
  • Acupuncturist must be from a list of approved professional organisations.
HSF
0800 917 2208
email at enquiries@hsf.eu.com
www.hsf.co.uk		 All policies

  • no referral required
  • BAcC member or TCM practitioner
  • no requirement to belong to any particular association but practitioner must send copy ofno requirement to belong to any particular association but practitioner must send copy ofqualification with receipt
Medicash
0800 011 2222
www.medicash.org		 All policies

  • self-referral ok
  • practitioner must be registered with professional body such as BAcC, AACP, and BMAS, iepractitioner must be registered with professional body such as BAcC, AACP, and BMAS, iequalified and insured
National Friendly
0800 195 9246
www.nationalfriendly.co.uk		 All policies

  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • BAcC members accepted
  • no list of providers available
Pru Health
(now Vitality Health)
0800 092 9400
www.pruhealth.co.uk		 Some policies

  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • BAcC, AACP, and BMAS members
Sovereign Health
01274 841130
www.sovereignhealthcare.co.uk		 Healthcare cash plan

  • BAcC, BMAS, and ATCM members
Simply Health
(includes BCWA, Leeds Hospital Fund
and Medisure)
0800 294 7302/0800 854929
providerservices@simplyhealth.co.uk
www.simplyhealth.co.uk		 Depends on the policy

  • GP referral only
  • AACP, BAcC, ATCM, and BMAS members only
Westfield
0845 605 6531
www.westfieldhealth.com		 Most policies

  • GP referral only
  • BAcC or BMAS members only
WHA
0292 048 5461
www.whahealthcare.co.uk		 All policies

  • self-referral but for medical conditions only
  • no cover for pre-existing conditions (except see final bullet)
  • practitioners must have proper qualification and insurance
  • NHS top-up scheme will pay up to £200 of treatment by BAcC members without need for GP referral or stating what condition treatment is for (so allows pre-existing conditions)
WHCA
01905 729090
www.whcaorchard.com		 All policies – OrchardAll policies – Orchard Healthcare Plan

  • self-referral
  • treatment administered by ‘a qualified person registered with an organisation recognised bytreatment administered by ‘a qualified person registered with an organisation recognised byWHCA’
WPA
0800 298 9588
www.wpa.org.uk		 Acupuncture allowed on mostAcupuncture allowed on mostpolicies(therapy benefit optional)

  • GP referrals only
  • no cover for pre-existing conditions
  • BAcC and BMAS members only
Insurance companies: policies underwritten by other companies
Company details Policy details
Health-on-Line
01202 544445
www.health-on-line.co.uk		 Some policies, up to £1,000 per year – only if option 3 therapies had been chosen AXA PPP

  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • must be performed in one of their listed hospitals – AXA PPP approved
Insurety
0800 028 0849
www.april-uk.com		 All policies / Aviva

  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • AACP or BMAS members
Saga
0800 015 0226
www.saga.co.uk		 Some policies / AXA PPP / Cash policy run by Birmingham / Hospital Saturday Fund

  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • BMAS only – same as AXA
  • BMAS or BAcC members
Secure Health
01277 626444
www.securehealth.co.uk		 Depends on the policy and modules chosen by the policy holder (therapy module)

  • GP referral or specialist referred only
  • only deal with policy administration – contact the underwriter for details