Workers Comp Acupuncture in Marysville, WA
Marysville Acupuncture Services provides acupuncture care for injured workers under Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) workers’ compensation guidelines. Services are provided by referral and are limited to conditions currently recognized by L&I, including work-related low back pain and chronic migraine. Coverage requirements and authorization processes are different for each condition and must be verified prior to scheduling care.

Marysville Acupuncture Services treatment area - a peaceful healing space.
Eligibility for Acupuncture Treatment
Acupuncture treatment under Washington State Labor & Industries workers’ compensation is available only when all eligibility requirements are met.
This care may be appropriate for you if:
- You have an open Washington State workers’ compensation claim
- Acupuncture treatment is requested by your attending provider
- Treatment is requested for a condition currently recognized by L&I, including:
- Low back pain
- Chronic migraine
- Your claim manager authorizes the treatment if required
Important notes:
- Acupuncture treatment is provided by referral only
- Authorization, visit limits, and treatment focus are determined by L&I guidelines
- Coverage and eligibility must be verified prior to scheduling
If you are unsure whether your claim or condition qualifies, verification will be completed before initiating care.
Referral and Authorization Process
Acupuncture treatment for workers’ compensation claims follows a defined referral and authorization process.
How the process works:
- Referral is issued by the attending provider as part of the workers’ compensation claim
- Eligibility and authorization are verified according to Washington State Labor & Industries guidelines
- Referral is authorized by the claim manager if required
- Treatment focus and visit limits are based on applicable L&I policies
- Appointments are scheduled once referral details and authorization have been confirmed
Low Back Pain:
- Acupuncture for low back pain is covered by L&I when you have an open workers’ compensation claim for a work-related low back condition.
- Your attending provider must issue a referral for acupuncture as part of your claim.
- The referral should be documented in your claim file.
- No prior authorization is required.
- Up to 10 acupuncture treatments are covered per claim. No extensions or additional visits are covered.
- For more details, visit the L&I Acupuncture for Lumbar Conditions
page
Chronic Migraine:
- Acupuncture for chronic migraine is covered by L&I when you have an open workers’ compensation claim for a work-related chronic migraine diagnosis.
- Acupuncture is not authorized for other types of headache, including chronic tension-type headache or chronic daily headache.
- Your attending provider must issue a referral for acupuncture as part of your claim.
- Prior authorization is required. Before acupuncture treatment can begin, the referral must be submitted to your claim manager for authorization.
- Up to 24 acupuncture treatments may be authorized per calendar year. Additional visits may be authorized based on documented clinical improvement and claim manager approval.
- For more details, visit the L&I Acupuncture for Chronic Migraine
page
Important to know:
- Acupuncture treatment for workers’ compensation claims is not scheduled through our online booking system
- Verification of claim information, referral status, and authorization is required before care begins
- Coordination may involve the injured worker, the attending provider, and your claim manager to ensure compliance with guidelines
This process helps ensure that care is appropriate, authorized, and aligned with workers’ compensation requirements.
Getting Started: What to Do Next
If you would like to begin acupuncture treatment as part of your Washington State workers’ compensation claim, the next step is to confirm your referral and authorization details.
To get started:
- Confirm a referral has been issued by your attending provider
- If you are seeking treatment for chronic migraine, make sure your claim manager has authorized your referral
- Contact Marysville Acupuncture Services to verify referral information, claim details, and eligibility
Once your referral and authorization have been verified, appointments can be scheduled in accordance with authorized treatment guidelines.
For attending providers:
Attending providers and their staff are welcome to contact us with questions about our services or referring patients to Marysville Acupuncture Services.
You can also download our Attending Provider Acupuncture Referral Info Sheet (PDF) for details required to create a referral to our clinic.
Participation, Attendance, and Treatment Expectations
Acupuncture treatment under Washington State workers’ compensation is provided as part of an authorized treatment plan established by the attending provider and governed by Labor & Industries (L&I) guidelines. Participation in that plan—including attendance at scheduled visits—is a required component of your care:
- Scheduled appointments are part of the authorized treatment plan
- If an appointment must be missed, advance notice is required to maintain proper coordination of your care
- Repeated missed appointments or no-shows indicate non-participation and may result in discontinuation of your acupuncture treatments
- If attendance concerns arise, we may notify your attending provider and claim manager as required by workers’ compensation procedures
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions about acupuncture for workers' compensation claims. If you have additional questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
1. What conditions are covered by workers' compensation acupuncture?
Acupuncture is covered for work-related low back pain and chronic migraine under Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) workers' compensation guidelines.
2. Do I need a referral for acupuncture treatment?
Yes, acupuncture treatment for workers' compensation claims is available by referral only from your attending provider.
3. How do I qualify for acupuncture treatment under workers' compensation?
To qualify for acupuncture treatment, you must have an open workers' compensation claim and a referral from your attending provider. If you are seeking treatment for chronic migraine, you will also need prior authorization from your claim manager.
4. How do I start acupuncture treatment for my workers' compensation claim?
First, confirm that your attending provider has issued a referral. If you are seeking treatment for chronic migraine, confirm that your claim manager has authorized the referral as part of your treatment plan.
You can contact Marysville Acupuncture Services to verify your referral and prior authorization. Once eligibility has been confirmed, our staff will schedule your first appointment.
Download our Beginning Acupuncture for Your Work-Related Injury: Step-by-Step Checklist (PDF)
to help guide you through the steps for obtaining a referral and starting treatment with Marysville Acupuncture Services.
5. What happens if I miss an appointment?
Missed appointments or no-shows may result in discontinuation of your acupuncture treatment. It is important to contact us in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule.
6. Can I receive acupuncture treatment if my workers' compensation claim is denied?
No. Acupuncture treatment is only covered for accepted workers' compensation claims. If your claim is denied, you will need to appeal or reapply before acupuncture care can be provided.
7. How do I know if my claim is eligible for acupuncture?
If your workers' compensation claim is for work-related low back pain or chronic migraine, acupuncture treatment can be provided once you have the referral from your attending provider. For chronic migraine, prior authorization by your claim manager is also required.
8. How do I refer a patient to Marysville Acupuncture Services?
We have created the Attending Provider Acupuncture Referral Info Sheet (PDF) to give you all the information you need to refer a patient for treatment at Marysville Acupuncture Services.
About Dr. Alexander: Qualifications and Experience
Dr. Alexander is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in advanced pain management with over 16 years of experience treating the patients of Snohomish County.

Marysville Acupuncture Services clinic exterior - easy to find with convenient parking!
Key qualifications include:
- Licensed Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Provider (AEMP) in Washington State
- Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM) with a specialty in Advanced Pain Management
- Board Certified Diplomate of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine by the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM)
- Extensive experience treating pain conditions, including low back pain and chronic migraine
Patient Resources
Below are helpful resources to guide you through the process of obtaining acupuncture treatment under your workers' compensation claim. These resources will provide you with everything you need to get started.
1. Beginning Acupuncture for Your Work-Related Injury: Step-by-Step Checklist
This checklist will walk you through the steps to obtain a referral and start acupuncture treatment with Marysville Acupuncture Services. It includes simple instructions to ensure you are fully prepared for your first appointment.
Download the Beginning Acupuncture for Your Work-Related Injury: Step-by-Step Checklist (PDF)
2. Attending Provider Acupuncture Referral Info Sheet
Download this sheet to share with your attending provider. It includes all the information they need to refer you to Marysville Acupuncture Services, including your treatment options under workers' compensation, contact details, and L&I-specific benefits.
Download the Attending Provider Acupuncture Referral Info Sheet (PDF)
Last updated: 04/01/2026
