The article examines the prevalence, costs, and patterns of use of unconventional medical therapies in the United States. A national telephone survey of 1539 adults found that one-third of respondents used at least one unconventional therapy in the past year, with a third of these users seeking treatment from providers of such therapies. On average, these users made 19 visits to providers, with each visit costing $27.60. The use of unconventional therapy was more common among non-black persons aged 25 to 49 with higher education and income levels. Most users sought treatment for chronic conditions rather than life-threatening ones. Despite this, 72% of respondents did not inform their primary care physicians about their use of unconventional therapy. Extrapolating to the U.S. population, the study estimated that in 1990, Americans made 425 million visits to providers of unconventional therapy, costing approximately $13.7 billion out-of-pocket, which is comparable to the $12.8 billion spent out-of-pocket on all hospitalizations. The findings highlight the significant presence of unconventional medicine in the U.S. healthcare system and suggest that medical doctors should inquire about patients' use of these therapies during consultations.The article examines the prevalence, costs, and patterns of use of unconventional medical therapies in the United States. A national telephone survey of 1539 adults found that one-third of respondents used at least one unconventional therapy in the past year, with a third of these users seeking treatment from providers of such therapies. On average, these users made 19 visits to providers, with each visit costing $27.60. The use of unconventional therapy was more common among non-black persons aged 25 to 49 with higher education and income levels. Most users sought treatment for chronic conditions rather than life-threatening ones. Despite this, 72% of respondents did not inform their primary care physicians about their use of unconventional therapy. Extrapolating to the U.S. population, the study estimated that in 1990, Americans made 425 million visits to providers of unconventional therapy, costing approximately $13.7 billion out-of-pocket, which is comparable to the $12.8 billion spent out-of-pocket on all hospitalizations. The findings highlight the significant presence of unconventional medicine in the U.S. healthcare system and suggest that medical doctors should inquire about patients' use of these therapies during consultations.