Insurance debate: Arguments for
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Hudson Doyle
Jul 29, 2008, 7:23:43 PM7/29/08
to MA Acupuncture Insurance
Insurance debate: Arguments for
1. If acupuncture is to become main-stream medicine, insurance
coverage would materially endorse its legitimacy and recognize its
value within our health care system.
2. I believe that if acupuncture is to succeed and flourish in the
evolution of our medical system, then access to acupuncture has to
expand beyond those who can afford to pay out of pocket on top of
their insurance premiums. With credit dwindling and inflation
growing, less money is available for health costs not covered by one’s
insurance policy.
3. Insurance coverage would greatly expand the market for
acupuncture. Both in terms of the locations in which it can be
practiced and the numbers of those who would utilize acupuncture.
People will be far more willing to try acupuncture if their insurance
plan covers it; furthermore, they will be more likely to follow
through with a treatment plan if the financial restriction is reduced.
4. Greater access will expand the market and better allow us to
‘compete’ and demonstrate to the public what we can do vs. other
medical interventions.
5. Insurance reimbursement for Lic Ac’s will expand the job market for
acupuncturists. Medium to large clinic settings as well as hospitals
will be more inclined to hire acupuncturists if they can make money by
integrating our services with the rest of their reimbursable
procedures. Consider places like universities or university athletic
teams, pain clinics, fertility clinics, rehab centers, GP offices,
etc., etc.
6. Mandating that all insurance plans cover acupuncture does not
compel any individual acupuncturist to accept insurance. People are
more apt to go to someone who accepts insurance—of course, wouldn’t
you?—but that is the case now anyway.
7. For those with established cash based clinics that are already
successful, there is little reason to switch. For those who are
starting out or are in need of a more patients, expanding the market
with insurance reimbursement provides an opportunity for growth that
is currently suppressed.
1. If acupuncture is to become main-stream medicine, insurance
coverage would materially endorse its legitimacy and recognize its
value within our health care system.
2. I believe that if acupuncture is to succeed and flourish in the
evolution of our medical system, then access to acupuncture has to
expand beyond those who can afford to pay out of pocket on top of
their insurance premiums. With credit dwindling and inflation
growing, less money is available for health costs not covered by one’s
insurance policy.
3. Insurance coverage would greatly expand the market for
acupuncture. Both in terms of the locations in which it can be
practiced and the numbers of those who would utilize acupuncture.
People will be far more willing to try acupuncture if their insurance
plan covers it; furthermore, they will be more likely to follow
through with a treatment plan if the financial restriction is reduced.
4. Greater access will expand the market and better allow us to
‘compete’ and demonstrate to the public what we can do vs. other
medical interventions.
5. Insurance reimbursement for Lic Ac’s will expand the job market for
acupuncturists. Medium to large clinic settings as well as hospitals
will be more inclined to hire acupuncturists if they can make money by
integrating our services with the rest of their reimbursable
procedures. Consider places like universities or university athletic
teams, pain clinics, fertility clinics, rehab centers, GP offices,
etc., etc.
6. Mandating that all insurance plans cover acupuncture does not
compel any individual acupuncturist to accept insurance. People are
more apt to go to someone who accepts insurance—of course, wouldn’t
you?—but that is the case now anyway.
7. For those with established cash based clinics that are already
successful, there is little reason to switch. For those who are
starting out or are in need of a more patients, expanding the market
with insurance reimbursement provides an opportunity for growth that
is currently suppressed.
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