What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a type of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment that involves stimulation of certain points on the skin using a variety of techniques, with or without the insertion of needles.
Based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, acupuncture improves the flow of “qi” (energetic balance of the body) or energy along the meridians (pathways) to normalise physiological functions or to treat ailments or conditions of the human body.
A treatment course usually consists of acupuncture sessions that span over a number of weeks. The treatment frequency and length depend on the type, severity and complexity of your condition(s) and your response to it. Our acupuncturist will assess your suitability to proceed with the treatment and advise you on a suitable course.
Subsidies and Medisave
Subsidy requirement
Patients who meet the following criteria will be eligible for the Ministry of Health's (MOH) subsidies:
- Referred by a
medical specialist in a public healthcare institution for subsidised outpatient acupuncture treatment for
lower back and/or neck pain.
- Subsidies are only for up to 12 acupuncture sessions, within
three months from the first acupuncture session.
- Subsequent treatment for up to 12 more sessions within the next 3 months is
subject to the reviewing medical specialist's assessment of sustained pain reduction or functional improvement for the patient.
- Treatment shall be performed by acupuncturists registered with the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB), in accordance to the minimum practice standards defined by the TCM Branch of MOH.
Acupuncture performed for all other conditions are not eligible for subsidies and will be charged private rates regardless of the patient's subsidy status.
Payment by MediSave
Patients aged 60 and above will be allowed to tap on the Flexi-MediSave scheme to pay for outpatient lower back pain and/or neck pain acupuncture treatment in SKH. The withdrawal limit is $200 per year and the amount can be withdrawn from the patient or his/her spouse's MediSave account.
Payment by MediSave is only eligible for lower back pain and/or neck pain. Acupuncture used for all other indications are not payable by MediSave, whether under the Flexi-MediSave scheme or other schemes.
