Let insurers fund naturopathy again, says govt review led by Professor Michael Kidd
Pilates, shiatsu, tai chi, Western herbal medicine, yoga and Alexander technique also received ticks.
A long-delayed review of the ban on private health insurers funding 16 alternative therapies has recommended lifting the ban for seven of them.
The ban started on 1 April 2019, but just six days later, the then Coalition Government ordered a new review of the evidence, led by former RACGP president Professor Michael Kidd, who will become Australia’s Chief Medical Officer in June.
It finally handed in its report in February, recommending lifting the ban on naturopathy, Pilates, shiatsu, tai chi, Western herbal medicine, yoga and the Alexander technique.
The review found moderate-certainty evidence that supplements — part of its definition of naturopathy — could improve some outcomes for some conditions.
