Osteopathy can be of great benefit to many, as osteopathic treatment has a holistic nature. It is often a very effective treatment to help manage pain, improve movement and strengthen physical fitness. People with conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic pain, osteoporosis, and arthritis usually visit an osteopath for treatment sessions.
However, as it is not yet recognized by the medical order, Social Security does not currently support this practice. Thus, it is necessary to subscribe to a mutual insurance company in order to benefit from suitable cover for the reimbursement of osteopathy sessions.
What does osteopathy consist of?
Osteopathy is considered alternative medicine. It is a separate branch of medicine which uses drugs. Osteopathy emphasizes the interdependent oneness of all systems in the body, each working with the other to heal when disease occurs.
This practice dates back over 100 years. A key idea in this area is that many diseases result from or cause problems within the musculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, muscles, and bones. Osteopaths pay special attention to how all parts of your body work together in order to prevent or treat health problems. Osteopathic medicine is about your whole body, not just specific parts or symptoms. So if you come in for a consultation with, say, knee pain, practitioners are probably going to be looking at more than just your knee.
The operation of support
The reimbursement ceiling of your mutual health insurance determines the cost of osteopathy sessions. The choice of the mutual insurance company will therefore have an impact on the level of reimbursement of the sessions.. To make the right choice, it is recommended to use a bank comparator.
There are three different types of terms for refunds. First of all, there is the fixed price per act which fixes a number of sessions reimbursable by the mutual insurance company. There is also the annual flat rate allowing you to benefit from cover up to a fixed period. Finally, the flat rate by percentage taking into account the cost fixed in the health insurance.
Does social security cover these sessions?
As stated at the very beginning, osteopathy is not considered conventional medicine. However, only the practices approved by the medical order are supported by social security.
However, it is possible to obtain reimbursement if the practitioner is considered to be a sector 1 approved doctor. An osteopathy session can thus be reimbursed up to 70%.
Are all consultations covered by mutuals?
Some mutuals generally refuse to reimburse for alternative medicine sessions. Thus, it is strongly recommended to check with your mutual insurance company if you are eligible for such reimbursement.
The reimbursement of osteopathy sessions is however accepted by many mutuals, under certain conditions. First of all, the osteopath must be registered in the registers of osteopaths in France. The practitioner must also have a diploma in osteopathy.