Hypnosis

[Guest Carolynn]

A participant is questioning whether she can be reimbursed for Hypnosis, which she underwent for the purpose of becoming comfortable giving herself medically necessary daily injections.

I can't find Hypnosis mentioned at all in the EBIA guide, does anyone have an opinion? I believe she underwent hypnosis three times before she became able to give herself the injections.

Thanks,

Carolynn

[david rigby]

Relevant?

http://www.benefitslink.com/boards/index.p...=ST&f=3&t=17802

[GBurns]

One difference that should be noted is that in the previous thread, the hypnosis was the treatment. In this case the hypnosis is not the treatment but is an elective "mood" modifier, no different from the 2 martinis that I have before being willing to hear bad news from my cardiologist. The cardiologist is reimburseable and I wish that the martinis were.

[Guest Carolynn]

Thanks to both of you - I had seen the hypnosis thread about smoking cessation. I had similar thoughts as to GBurns, but could never have put it so eloquently!

[GBurns]

Carolynn,

Thanks for the comment (compliment?). I usually get other types of comments.

[jsb]

Wouldn't hypnosis in this case be treatment for anxiety? Is there any difference if a hypnotherapist does the treatment, or if it is done by a psychiatrist?

At lease it is not self-administered, as would be GB's tee martoonies.

[GBurns]

I agree that the hypnosis could be regarded as being for the treatment of anxiety, BUT only if that was the condition that was diagnosed, which I do not think that it was.

I do not think that it matters who administers it as long as they are licensed to provide such treatment.

While I do have to self-administer the two martini program, I am very willing to consider acceptable offers of help. The provider might be able to claim physical therapy (if we can find a sympathetic FSA TPA to accept a medical recommendation) or at least travelling.

In fact now that I think about it, I am going to see if I can get alcohol doses as a prescription from my Dr either as heart, hypertension or as a depressant with dosage administration by a licensed person. I think that bartenders have to be licensed in Florida.

[jsb]

Should not be difficult for the person to get a doctor's or therapist's note "documenting" the successful treatment of the anxiety condition through hypnosis. I'd be inclined to find a way to pay the claim. Subluxation of the mind....

[E as in ERISA]

What is the alternative to the hypnosis? That the plan would have to pay a third party to do the injections? That the person would have to be given anxiety drugs?

[GBurns]

My granddaughter does not like to take oral medication, neither does she like injections, does that mean that the Dr should be paid extra to hold her down while administering the injection and that it is reimburseable to employ someone to assist in getting her to open her mouth for the oral medication?

I think that this person "finickness" should not be catered to. What do they want the illness or the cure? Are we now going to do the same for the tens or hundreds of thousands of diabetics etc who cannot stand the sight of the needle or blood but have had to learn to put up with the nausea, the barfing, the gagging and their anxiety and fear???

There has been enough abuse in our utilization of medical care, with the resulting high costs and waste, let us not take it a step further. Tell this person ... Just take the medicine it is good for you.

[E as in ERISA]

The distinction here is that the person is getting treatment in order to enable them to be the one to administer the medical care themselves. Without the hypnosis, they might be in a condition that causes them to administer the injections incorrectly. And the results of putting the injection in the wrong place could be very costly.

[GBurns]

I disagree with you, the distinction is whether the hypnosis is for the treatment of the diagnosed medical condition which it is not, although it is for treatment related to that condition.

Think back to the IRS rulings on cayenne pepper, obesity, handicapped transportation vehicle etc.

The fact that you buy cayenne pepper does not make it deductable, you have to apportion the cost of the amount of cayenne pepper that is actually being used directly related to the medical condition, and apportion the cost of cayenne pepper that you would use in your normal cooking. In other words you can deduct only that which is directly used for the medical condition.

[Guest Carolynn]

Thanks to everyone for your opinions. I have been away from the boards for awhile, so I missed a few of the last comments until today.

My participant had already undergone hypnosis for her fear of needles, her question was whether I could reimburse her or not. She was fine with our decision that hypnosis was not reimbursable in this instance.

Thanks again,

Carolynn