As the popularity of acupuncture increases across the U.S. more studies are sure to make their way onto the books; however, a newly released study's focus may surprise you.
OkCopay.com, an online website that helps patients find affordable healthcare, examined the out-of-pocket costs from acupuncture services in 41 metropolitan regions. The study reviewed "first-time" and "follow-up" visits in 723 clinics within 39 metropolitan areas.
The cost range for a "first-time" visit was $15–400, with the highest median ($150) in Charleston, South Carolina. The lowest median was in St. Louis, Missouri at $45. The top 10 cities for the highest median were: Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, San Jose, Boston, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland and Indianapolis, with the median $120, while the median for all 723 clinics was $112.
The cost range for "follow-up" visits was $15–300; the highest median was $108 in Charleston, South Carolina, and the lowest $40 in Miami, Florida. The 10 cities with highest median follow-up acupuncture visit costs were: New York, Baltimore, New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Boston and Atlanta, with the median $85, while for all 723 clinics the median price was $80.
The estimation of the average gross annual income of each acupuncturist from the regions studied was $95,760, while the total annual cost of patients seeking acupuncture services in the U.S. was about $3.5 billion in 2018.
Reference
Fan AY, Wang DD, Ouyang H, et al. Acupuncture price in forty-one metropolitan regions in the United States: An out-of-pocket cost analysis based on OkCopay.com. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 28 June 2019.
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The field of acupuncture in the U.S. continues to grow in visibility, patient demand and clinical effectiveness. Yet behind the curtain, many acupuncturists are quietly struggling to keep their doors open. While the profession is rooted in centuries of healing tradition, modern economic pressures – particularly those driven by insurance limitations, low reimbursement rates and job-market saturation – are making it increasingly difficult for licensed acupuncturists to thrive.
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