Is Neurofeedback Covered by Insurance?

Is Neurofeedback Covered by Insurance?

Short answer: not by most standard health insurance plans. But there are several ways to reduce out-of-pocket costs — and the financial picture is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

I've run neurofeedback clinics since 2014, and navigating the insurance landscape is one of the most common conversations I have with new clients. Here's the reality.

Why Most Insurance Doesn't Cover Neurofeedback

Health insurance coverage decisions are driven by CPT codes — the billing codes that categorize medical procedures. Neurofeedback uses biofeedback CPT codes (90901, 90912, 90913), which many insurers classify as "experimental" or "investigational" for specific conditions like ADHD or anxiety.

This isn't because the evidence doesn't exist — meta-analyses show large effect sizes for neurofeedback in ADHD (Arns et al., 2009) and significant effects for anxiety and other conditions. The disconnect is between clinical evidence and insurance policy, which often lags research by years or decades.

The practical result: most PPO and HMO plans do not include neurofeedback as a covered benefit. There are exceptions — some plans cover biofeedback broadly, and some states have mandated coverage for specific conditions — but they're not the norm.

What IS Covered: Your Options

1. HSA (Health Savings Account) — Most Reliable Option

If you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with an HSA, neurofeedback is generally eligible as a qualified medical expense. This means you can pay with pre-tax dollars from your HSA account.

The math matters: Depending on your tax bracket, this effectively reduces the cost by 25-35%. On a $5,000 program, that's $1,250-1,750 in savings.

HSA funds roll over year to year, so if you've been building a balance, this is a straightforward way to fund neurofeedback.

2. FSA (Flexible Spending Account)

Similar to HSA, neurofeedback qualifies as an eligible expense for most FSA plans. The key difference: FSA funds typically expire at the end of the plan year (or with a limited grace period), so timing matters.

Strategy: If you're planning neurofeedback, set your FSA contribution for the upcoming year to cover the expected program cost. This locks in the pre-tax benefit.

3. Out-of-Network Reimbursement

If your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be able to get partial reimbursement for neurofeedback. Here's how it works:

1. You pay the neurofeedback provider directly
2. The provider issues a superbill — a detailed invoice with procedure codes, diagnosis codes, provider credentials, and session details
3. You submit the superbill to your insurance company
4. Your insurer reviews and potentially reimburses a portion based on your out-of-network benefit structure

Realistic expectations: Reimbursement rates vary widely. Some clients get 50-70% back; others get nothing. It depends entirely on your specific plan, the diagnosis codes used, and your insurer's policies on biofeedback.

At Peak Brain Institute, we provide superbills to all clients who request them. We can't guarantee reimbursement, but we make the process as straightforward as possible.

4. Medical Tax Deduction

Neurofeedback expenses may qualify for the medical expense tax deduction if your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). This is less immediately helpful than HSA/FSA but worth tracking if you have significant medical expenses in a given year.

Consult your tax advisor for specifics — this depends on your total medical spending and filing situation.

Does Medicare Cover Neurofeedback?

Medicare does not currently cover neurofeedback. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may offer broader biofeedback coverage, but this is plan-specific and uncommon.

Are Neurofeedback Sessions Tax Deductible?

Neurofeedback expenses are generally considered qualified medical expenses by the IRS. They may be deductible if:

• You itemize deductions (vs. standard deduction)
• Your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5% of AGI
• The neurofeedback is for a documented medical condition

Keep all receipts and superbills. Your tax professional can advise whether itemizing makes sense for your situation.

Is Neurofeedback Considered Medical Treatment?

This is a nuanced question. Neurofeedback is:

• FDA-registered as a biofeedback modality
• Classified under biofeedback CPT codes (90901, 90912, 90913)
• Provided by licensed healthcare professionals in many practices
• Supported by peer-reviewed research for multiple conditions

At Peak Brain Institute, we position neurofeedback as brain training and optimization — not medical treatment. We're a brain gym, not a medical clinic. Our clients come to train their brains the same way they'd train their bodies at a fitness center. This framing is accurate to what neurofeedback is: operant conditioning of brainwave patterns. It's training, not treatment.

That said, for insurance and tax purposes, neurofeedback performed by a qualified provider for a documented condition is generally treated as a medical expense.

How to Maximize Your Benefits: Step by Step

1. Check your HSA/FSA eligibility first. This is the most reliable path to reducing costs. Call your plan administrator and ask specifically about "biofeedback" or "neurofeedback."

2. Review your out-of-network benefits. Call the number on your insurance card and ask: "Does my plan cover biofeedback (CPT codes 90901, 90912, 90913) from an out-of-network provider?" Get the answer in writing if possible.

3. Ask about your deductible. If you have out-of-network benefits, understand your deductible and coinsurance rate. If you've already met your deductible for the year, timing neurofeedback now may maximize reimbursement.

4. Request superbills from your provider. Any reputable neurofeedback provider should be willing to provide superbills. If they can't or won't, that's a red flag about their clinical legitimacy.

5. Track everything. Keep receipts, superbills, and records of all communications with your insurer. If a claim is denied, you can appeal.

6. Consider payment plans. Many practices offer payment plans that spread the cost over the duration of your training program. At Peak Brain, we work with clients to make programs financially accessible.

The Bigger Financial Picture

Neurofeedback is an upfront investment — typically $5,000-10,000 for a complete program. But unlike medication (which costs $50-300/month indefinitely) or ongoing therapy ($150-250/week indefinitely), neurofeedback creates lasting changes. Most clients maintain improvements without ongoing sessions.

The question isn't just "does insurance cover it?" It's "what's the total cost of the alternatives over time?" For many people, a one-time neurofeedback investment is less expensive than years of medication or weekly therapy — with the added benefit of durability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare cover neurofeedback?

Medicare does not currently cover neurofeedback as a standard benefit. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may include biofeedback coverage, but this is uncommon and plan-specific. Check with your specific plan.

Are neurofeedback sessions tax deductible?

Neurofeedback expenses are generally considered qualified medical expenses by the IRS and may be deductible if you itemize deductions and your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Can I use HSA or FSA for neurofeedback?

Yes. Neurofeedback is generally eligible for both HSA and FSA reimbursement as a qualified medical expense. This effectively reduces your cost by 25-35% depending on your tax bracket. Check with your plan administrator for confirmation.

What does neurofeedback cost out of pocket?

Typical neurofeedback programs range from $5,000 to $10,000 for 25-100+ sessions including QEEG brain mapping, protocol design, training sessions, progress re-assessments, and clinical oversight. At Peak Brain Institute, programs start at $4,999 for 2 months (25-35 sessions). HSA/FSA payment can reduce effective cost by 25-35%. See our programs page for full pricing.

Is neurofeedback covered by insurance?

Most standard health insurance plans (PPO, HMO) do not cover neurofeedback. However, HSA and FSA accounts generally accept neurofeedback as a qualified medical expense. Some plans with out-of-network biofeedback benefits may provide partial reimbursement via superbill submission. Coverage varies significantly by plan and insurer.