Does health insurance cover chiropractic treatment for migraines?

The Dutch basic insurance does not cover chiropractic treatment for migraine as standard. Chiropractic treatments fall under supplementary insurance, where reimbursement varies per insurer and package. Most supplementary packages reimburse between €200 and €500 per year for chiropractic care, provided the practitioner is BIG-registered and meets your insurer’s requirements.

What does basic insurance cover for chiropractic treatment for migraine?

Dutch basic insurance covers no chiropractic treatments for migraine or other conditions. Chiropractic care does not fall under mandatory health insurance according to the Health Insurance Act. This means that all costs for chiropractic migraine treatments must be paid out of pocket, unless you have taken out supplementary insurance.

Basic insurance focuses on medically necessary care, such as GP visits, hospital admissions and prescribed medications. For migraine, other treatments are covered, such as consultations with the GP, neurological examination and prescribed migraine medication. Physiotherapy may also be covered under certain conditions through basic insurance.

If you want chiropractic treatments for your migraine to be reimbursed, you need supplementary health insurance. It is important to research this thoroughly in advance, as conditions and reimbursement amounts can vary greatly between insurers.

Which supplementary insurances cover chiropractic care for migraine treatment?

Most major Dutch health insurers offer supplementary packages that cover chiropractic care, with amounts ranging from €200 to €500 per year. Zilveren Kruis, CZ, VGZ, Menzis and Zorg en Zekerheid all have supplementary insurances that cover chiropractic treatments.

At Zilveren Kruis, for example, you can choose a supplementary package that reimburses €300 per year for chiropractic care. CZ offers various supplementary packages, where the basic supplementary package reimburses €250 and more comprehensive packages up to €500. VGZ has similar arrangements with reimbursement amounts between €200 and €400, depending on the chosen package.

Note that many insurers apply a deductible for supplementary insurances and that often a maximum number of treatments per year is reimbursed. Some insurers also require a referral from the GP before they reimburse chiropractic care, especially for specific conditions such as migraine.

What conditions must you meet for reimbursement of chiropractic care for migraine?

For reimbursement, the chiropractor must be BIG-registered and be a member of a recognised professional association, such as the Dutch Chiropractors Association (NCA). In addition, many insurers require a referral from the GP or medical specialist before they reimburse chiropractic treatments for migraine.

You often need to request permission in advance from your insurer by submitting a treatment plan. This plan contains information about the nature of your migraine complaints, the proposed treatment trajectory and the expected number of sessions. Some insurers apply a maximum of 9 to 12 treatments per year.

Always keep your receipts and claims carefully. Most insurers require detailed invoices with the correct treatment codes. With migraine, it is also important that the chiropractor can demonstrate that the treatment is aimed at reducing migraine triggers and headaches in migraine, and not only on general back complaints.

Also check whether a personal contribution applies and whether you must claim within a certain period. Many insurers apply a claim period of maximum one year after the treatment date.

How much does chiropractic care for migraine cost and what is reimbursed?

A chiropractic treatment costs on average €60 to €80 per session in the Netherlands. For migraine treatment you usually need 6 to 12 sessions, which amounts to total costs of €360 to €960. Most supplementary insurances reimburse €200 to €500 per year, so you have to pay part yourself.

The first consultation session is often more expensive (€80 to €100), because it includes an extensive intake and examination. Follow-up treatments usually cost between €60 and €75 per session. Some practices offer discount packages if you book multiple treatments in advance.

With supplementary insurance that reimburses €300, you pay €260 out of pocket for an average treatment course of 8 sessions (€560 total). It is therefore wise to request a treatment plan and cost overview in advance, so you know what to expect.

Keep in mind that not all types of migraine respond equally well to chiropractic treatment. Migraine with aura symptoms, for example, often has different triggers than tension headaches, which can affect the number of treatments needed and therefore the total costs.

How Ruggensteun helps with migraine and health insurance reimbursement

We fully support migraine patients with both treatment and the insurance process. Our team helps you apply for prior approval from your insurer and ensures all necessary documentation. We are BIG-registered and meet all conditions that insurers require.

Our approach for migraine includes:

• Comprehensive analysis of your specific migraine triggers
• Treatment focused on the nervous system and spinal alignment
• Practical migraine tips for prevention and self-care
• Help with completing insurance forms and claims
• Transparent cost overviews in advance

We work together with your insurer to achieve maximum reimbursement and offer flexible payment options. Our experience with different insurers ensures that your treatment runs smoothly, without administrative worries.

Want to know how chiropractic care can improve your migraine? Read more about our migraine treatments or contact us directly for a no-obligation consultation about your options. Discover how we can help you find relief for your migraine complaints.