More on the insurance debate

[Justine]

Hi All-
I brought the debate to the community acupuncture network. You can
see what many people (MA and non-MA) have shared as far as their
thoughts on the topic go. I thought it was valuable sharing it with
them.
You can read about it here: http://www.communityacupuncturenetwork.org/blog/great-insurance-debate
or just by going to the main page where it's a new blog for your
viewing.
Justine

[josl...@hotmail.com]

Great idea to get more feedback. It may be useful to separate out
whether we are talking about MA insurance coverage or the entire
country as MA insurance laws are specific. There is a post from
someone at Community Acupuncture Network who stated that they didn't
know a single person who was happy about mandatory health insurance in
MA. Now you do. I am thrilled to have health insurance after working
as an adjunct faculty for the state for 10 years with no insurance
coverage at all.

If you haven't met anyone who is happy about the new system, you
simply aren't talking with folks who are living within 300% of the
poverty line. Most of these people have a zero premium and they are
exactly the people who the system targets as they tend to have
significant health issues which are left untreated until they become
substantially more difficult to treat. I know the system has its
problems but it is helping the poorest members of our communities. And
again, if acupuncture were covered, it would give these folks the
opportunity to be treated. There are plenty of reasons why insurance
coverage for acupuncture is problematic. But it is important to
realize that many lower income residents would have access to our
services if acupuncture were covered.

[Hudson Doyle]

I see this forum has laid idle for a while...regrettably so if you ask
me.
To keep it moving...
Harvard Pilgrim HMO will start reimbursing acupuncture services
beginning Jan 1. 20 visits per year, up to $86 per visit. That an
HMO will now reimburse for acupuncture is big news. Others may soon
follow.
Also, I recently attended a Caritas Christi St. Elizabeth's Physician
cocktail party and spoke to probably 10-15 MD's about acupuncture.
Many of whom asked if insurance is covering it or not--a determining
factor in their decision to refer people to acupuncture. I replied
that it constitutes about %50 of my practice, that more and more
insurance companies have been adding acupuncture coverage, and that
Harvard Pilgrim HMO, for e.g., now does. After hearing that, a few
happily asked for my card. Like it or not, insurance coverage is a
major factor in getting connected to mainstream referral channels.
For those who are not running busy/full practices (i.e. most
acupuncturists I suspect), insurance can be a way many people will be
able to come to see you for acupuncture.
I spoke with Gordan Novak (head of the pain center and apparently
positive towards acupuncture) and he said that in his discussion with
management, they ask if it will make them money or not. Because
insurance does not reliably cover it, they do not estimate it will
make them money, and so are not interested in providing it at the
hospital.... Something we already knew.
Nevertheless, insurance coverage for acupuncture is growing, whether
you like it or not. I think it is in our interest to at least be
ready for, if not proactive in, its progressive arrival.
Hudson