WILLISTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that acupuncture reduces chronic back pain in older adults, but Medicare won’t pay for treatments from most providers, leaving some seniors unable to afford care.

Jane Hulstrunk has been getting acupuncture for more than 30 years to help relieve her chronic back pain.

When Hulstrunk learned Medicare was going to begin covering acupuncture treatments in 2020, she was ecstatic. But when she sent in a form to get her treatments covered, it was denied. “I’m very confused, even now by it,” Hulstrunk said.

For a person to be a licensed acupuncturist, they must get a master’s degree in acupuncture. But for treatments to be covered, that’s not enough. Medicare requires the licensed acupuncturist to also hav

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