Acupuncture reimbursement 2026: quickly know where you stand

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At the beginning of January, this is a frequently asked question for us: Will acupuncture be reimbursed in 2026? The answer is often: yes, but through a supplementary package and the conditions vary per insurer.
Even if you can no longer adjust your insurance, this is still useful. With one quick check, you can prevent surprises and immediately know what your own contribution will be.

Check your policy in 1 minute
Open your insurer's app or your policy and search for 'acupuncture', 'alternative care', or 'complementary care'. You will usually see immediately whether reimbursement is possible, how much is reimbursed per treatment, and what the maximum is for 2026. Acupuncture often falls under a joint reimbursement for alternative care. It then comes from the same budget as other treatments.

Pay attention to the conditions
Also, pay attention to the conditions. Many insurers only reimburse if your practitioner is affiliated with a recognized professional organization. This is not only important for your reimbursement but also helps in choosing a practice where quality and professionalism are central. The Dutch Acupuncture Association (NVA) is the largest professional association for acupuncture in the Netherlands. As a result, the NVA is well-known to many health insurers, and affiliation with the NVA is mentioned in various policy conditions as a requirement for reimbursement within supplementary packages.

If you do not have reimbursement
If you do not have reimbursement this year or if your reimbursement is limited, acupuncture may still be worth considering. Many people see it as an investment in better functioning: more relaxation, better sleep, or better coping with complaints in daily life. You can start small with a few treatments and then evaluate whether it benefits you. Do you like it? Then put it on your list for the fall, so that when choosing your health insurance for 2027, you can take out a supplementary package that does reimburse acupuncture.

If you have already found a NVA acupuncturist in your area, feel free to ask any questions you still have.