A lot of you may be wondering’ is reiki covered by insurance?’ It’s a common misconception that reiki is covered by insurance. In fact, reiki is still a fairly new therapy and its use in the medical field hasn’t been studied enough to determine its efficacy.
However, there are many studies in progress about the benefits of reiki and more people will become interested in offering this therapy as well! Reiki practitioners are licensed, and some aren’t—it’s important to do your research before deciding who to see for treatment.
What is Reiki?
In short, as of this writing, reiki is not covered by insurance.
Reiki is a form of alternative medicine that uses light touch and/or breath to initiate healing. It has been around since the late 1800s, but Mikao Usui, whose name means “heavenly room,” brought it to more people’s attention in the 1960s. He said he had some kind of divine revelation that led him to create Reiki Ryoho, which means “spiritual radiating treatment.”
Reiki practitioners believe they can channel universal energy through their hands or use other methods such as massage, aromatherapy, and crystal work.
In our current healthcare system, which is still very much influenced by antiquated ideas about health, alternative therapies like reiki are often considered fringe treatments rather than real medical options for patients seeking care from licensed doctors or nurses trained in Western medicine.
This bias can be traced back to early 20th century beliefs about the power of the body’s natural defenses versus what we now know about germs causing disease; however, before we jump into why this idea persists today let’s take a look at some key points worth noting when considering whether or not it might be right for you:
Reiki Insurance Coverage
You can request that your insurance cover Reiki. If you have health insurance and have been working with a reiki practitioner, ask your insurance company to add Reiki to their list of covered treatments. You may be able to get reimbursed for some or all of the cost of your sessions.
Your insurance provider might have specific requirements—for example, they might want proof that each treatment was administered by a certified practitioner—so make sure you ask what their specific requirements are.
Studies in Progress
To date, there are many studies in progress about the benefits of reiki.
One was conducted by a group of Japanese researchers who found that reiki can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve immune function.
Another study at Harvard Medical School found that reiki can help with pain management for people with fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.
Finally, a study at the University of California–Davis showed that reiki helps people overcome addictions such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, or drug addiction.
Licenced Versus Unlicensed
Reiki is a form of energy healing, but it’s not a religion. Reiki practitioners use the power of their hands to direct positive energy into their clients and create deep relaxation that helps promote the body’s natural healing processes.
Though reiki has been around for thousands of years, it wasn’t until the 1970s that scientists began to take notice of its potential benefits.
Today, reiki is widely used by people all over the world, including many who are seeking relief from chronic pain, stress-related issues, and other health problems. If you’ve been thinking about trying out this kind of treatment in your own life but don’t know where to begin, here’s what you need to know:
Continued Research
More studies will be done on reiki and more people will become interested in offering it as a therapy. This will lead to more people being able to afford it, which may also lead to insurance companies covering this type of treatment.
Try it Out
If you’re interested in getting reiki, there’s no reason not to try it out! If you are uncertain about whether or not your insurance covers reiki, or if you have any other questions about this therapy, please contact a clinic that offers Reiki.
Read more:
Reiki Is Better Than Placebo and Has Broad Potential as a Complementary Health Therapy
A rapid evidence assessment of recent therapeutic touch research – PMC
Energy Therapies in Advanced Practice Oncology: An Evidence-Informed Practice Approach – PMC
