Do Alexander Technique Teachers Accept Insurance?
This question comes up quite frequently with people inquiring about lessons in the Alexander Technique. And why not.One way or the other we pay quite a lot for health insurance. Most health insurance companies here in New York State will not pay for Alexander Technique lessons.
If you have back pain or neck pain, health insurance companies will cover doctors who might prescribe painkillers or muscle relaxers, and then refer you to physical therapists.If that doesn’t work the next stop is surgery. While physical therapists can be great for some problems, they are not always the answer.
New students quite often relate to me the following sequence: I hurt my neck hunching in front of the computer all day, went for physical therapy, and they made it worse. Why did they go to physical therapy? For two reasons:
1. Their doctor told them to.
2. It’s covered by health insurance, and the Alexander Technique is not covered by insurance.
When I ask “did it help?” they may say: “No. That’s why I’m here”.“If the physical therapy and the exercises were hurting you, why go three times per week? “ “Because all I had to pay was my copay.”
If this weren’t so tragic, it would be funny. It kind of reminds me of: “The food in this hotel is horrible” “I know. And the portions are so small!”
Yet, I totally understand. Why should someone pay health insurance, and then pay more for Alexander Technique lessons which are not covered by insurance? Here’s why. The Alexander Technique can really work. The Alexander Technique, although it doesn’t accept health insurance, has a unique place in the treatment of musculoskeletal issues. (And yes, I know, I used the word treatment.) In fact very often, even though it isn’t covered by insurance, the Alexander Technique is the way to go.
If it’s the way you sit at the computer, the way you stand, the way you walk that has caused and is causing the problem, the real permanent solution is to change the way you do things.
What does not make sense, to me, is that Alexander Technique teachers cannot accept insurance, at least in New York State. The basic reason for this is that most of my fellow Alexander Technique teachers do not want to accept insurance. I, as an Alexander Technique teacher, would love to be able to accept insurance. Imagine how many more people Alexander Teachers could help. Imagine how many back and neck operations could be avoided. But ‘we’ Alexander Technique teachers do not want to accept insurance. It’s tragic, and I’m really sorry.
I’d love to hear from you.
What are your views on the Alexander Technique accepting insurance?
Are you an Alexander Technique student or teacher with ideas about insurance?
Please join in and leave your comments.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
(917) 709-4648
Hi Mark – I absolutely agree with you. I would LOVE to take health insurance for the Alexander Technique lessons I teach! I think that the more studies that come out showing that A.T. can clinically help with back pain, the closer we will come. Remember that just 10 years ago acupuncture was not covered – and now it is pretty routine. We just need more justification and better publicity, and this too shall pass. Our colleagues in England are showing us the way, as usual.
Thanks so much Robbin! I thought I was almost alone on this. It’s nice to have your support. I believe the Alexander Technique should be about helping people. The Alexander Technique is a very specific way to help people, (through education etc. etc.) I actually think of it as an obligation, because the Alexander Technique is so powerful therefore I believe we should be licensed and accept insurance. I don’t think we should keep our ‘precious’ Alexander Technique to ourselves. It’s cruel.
I agree with much of what you say, Mark, though I’m not sure I agree that “Alexander Technique teachers do not want to accept insurance!” I think many do have concerns though, that are much more to do with licensing and what that might mean.
I do believe that learning the Alexander Technique could help many, many more people suffering out there with back, neck and other musculoskeletal issues, and I’m sure you’re right, a lot more people would sign up if there was a prescription by a doctor and insurance to cover much of the cost.
I’m not sure what the best course of action is to deal with this though…
Hi Imogen,
I know that most of the people at ACAT, here in NYC, are against licensing. I know we won’t be licensed or accept insurance here in New York for quite a few years, and perhaps it will never happen. A lot of very well-respected Alexander Technique teachers are against it.
I feel sorry for people who are in pain and have never heard of the Alexander Technique, or can’t afford it. They CAN afford their copay, however. Group Alexander Technique lessons are an option, but if you’re in pain group classes might not give enough personal attention.
I don’t know the best course of action either, but I’d like to be flexible and open. I believe something is not working the way it is right now. I know what it feels like to be in a lot of pain, and poor.
Thanks for the discussion!
I really need to accept insurance. I am looking for some sort of company that will. Although I have trained in New York I live in San Diego a place that has many service men and women who can only bennifit from insurance. Not to mention people in pain need us. I would love to accept insurance!
I wish we could accept insurance! We can’t because “we” choose to remain unlicensed by the state. I’ve given up trying to change other Alexander Technique teachers’ minds about this. There’s a lot of fear, rigidity, and the unwillingness to change.
Hi, MArk.
Wich is exactly the problem about licenses?
Alexander Technique teachers, at least here in NYC, don’t want to be licensed.