Alternative practitioner

Alternative medicine services are one of the most emotionally impactful components of modern supplemental health insurance plans. While statutory health insurance generally does not reimburse non-medical treatments at all, supplemental health insurance covers these services as a standard part of the health budget. For employees who use alternative practitioners as a supplement or alternative to conventional medicine, this means significant financial relief for a type of service that would otherwise have to be paid for entirely out of pocket.

What is legally considered a service provided by a naturopath

Alternative practitioners in Germany are licensed by the state under the Alternative Practitioners Act (HeilprG). They are authorized to diagnose and treat illnesses, though with certain restrictions—such as not being able to prescribe prescription medications or perform certain procedures that are reserved for medical doctors. Licensed alternative practitioners work in their own practices with state certification, but without having completed medical school.

Typical areas of treatment covered by alternative practitioners:

• Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Homeopathy and Anthroposophic Medicine
• Naturopathy, Phytotherapy (Herbal Medicine)
• Bioresonance therapy, electroacupuncture
• Osteopathy and manual therapy (provided partly by alternative practitioners and partly by physical therapists)
• Kinesiology
• Detoxification and cleansing therapies
• Natural pain management therapies
• Stress Management and Psychosomatic Treatments

The Fee Schedule for Alternative Practitioners (GebüH)

The Fee Schedule for Alternative Practitioners (GebüH) is the basis for reimbursement by supplementary health insurance (bKV). The GebüH sets a fee rate for each type of treatment—similar to the GOÄ for physicians. Alternative practitioners may bill the standard rate or apply multiplier rates of up to 3.5 times the standard rate, depending on the complexity of the treatment.

Supplementary health insurance plans typically reimburse benefits up to a certain percentage. The most common provisions are:

• Up to 1.5 times the GebüH rate: Basic plans provide full coverage for simple treatments
• Up to 2.0 to 2.5 times the standard rate: Standard budget rates, covering most treatments
• Up to 3.5 times the standard rate (maximum rate): Premium plans, which also cover complex individual treatments

Anyone who sees a naturopath who regularly charges higher rates should check before treatment to find out the maximum rate covered by their supplementary health insurance. Otherwise, they may end up with an unexpected out-of-pocket expense.

Reimbursement Limits

There are also limits to the services provided by alternative practitioners. Typical exclusions:

• Cosmetic and lifestyle-related treatments not required for medical reasons
• Preventive measures without a documented indication
• Treatments provided by unlicensed alternative practitioners (important: check their status)
• Medications and supplements sold by the naturopath (usually billed separately or not covered by insurance)

If in doubt, it’s a good idea to check with your insurer before starting a course of expensive treatment. Most insurers review cost estimates in advance and provide confirmation of coverage.

Implications for targeting specific audiences

Alternative medicine services play a special role in employee communications: they reach a target audience that is often not addressed by traditional advertising for conventional medicine. Employees who value holistic health approaches, naturopathy, or alternative medicine often place disproportionately high value on a supplementary health insurance plan that covers these areas—and become particularly active users.

This demographic is overrepresented in certain industries and corporate cultures—such as creative and consulting firms, the education sector, and the healthcare industry. In such contexts, the alternative medicine component is a key factor in distinguishing between different insurance plans.

FAKTOR MENSCH : In our projects, we regularly observe that naturopathic services disproportionately increase the usage rate among certain demographics—particularly among employees aged 35 to 55 and among women. However, caution is needed when communicating this, as not all employees value naturopathic services. Some view them skeptically as pseudo-medicine. Our recommendation: Do not communicate naturopathic services as a core message, but rather as an “optional” component. List them in a general overview of benefits, but do not promote them as a primary selling point. This avoids polarizing the audience and reaches all relevant target groups equally.

Documentation Requirements

To receive reimbursement, employees must submit invoices that include the following minimum information:

• Name and address of the alternative practitioner, license number
• Patient's name and date of birth
• Date of treatment
• Reason for diagnosis or treatment
• Treatments performed, including GebüH codes and surcharge rates
• Total amount

Some supplementary health insurance plans also require a diagnosis code (ICD-10) or a brief explanation of the treatment. Reputable alternative practitioners issue such invoices as a matter of course; if receipts are handwritten and lack details, reimbursement may be delayed or denied.

Combination with other services

Under budget plans, naturopathic services are typically funded from the overall budget—meaning they share the budget with eyeglasses, dental cleanings, and other services. Employees who rely heavily on naturopathic care should take this into account when planning their budget. For budgets ranging from 600 to 900 euros, 4 to 6 naturopathic sessions per year are realistic.

When combined with osteopathy, physical therapy, or acupuncture (available as separate add-ons depending on the plan), this creates a holistic health package that goes far beyond conventional medicine.

Conclusion

Alternative medicine services are a key differentiator in modern supplemental health insurance plans, and they are particularly effective with health-conscious target groups. When selecting a plan, employers should pay attention to caps on premium increase rates and, in their communications, position this benefit as part of a comprehensive health offering—not as a unique selling point. Those who do this correctly will reach a user base that cannot be addressed with conventional benefits.