RE: demographics/ Florida licensing

[Guest guest]

>I wish they wouldn't call it acupuncture.

 

I agree with you, Attilio. We have a similar problem here with MDs and

Chiropractors claiming to do acupuncture with less than 200 hours of

training. Of course the insurers pay them without question. For us, with

more than extensive training, licenses, clinical training, etc.... Well you

know.... They don't want to pay us or even take us seriously.

 

Not only can they claim to do acupuncture, but they call themselves

acupuncturists. I have spoken to potential patients who claim that

acupuncture doesn't work for them, only to find they had it done by a

chiropractor or MD. Those who did not shut me down have become patients, but

it did take some work.

 

I would like to see us TCM folks take action so they would not be able to

practice without proper training.

 

I had an incident with BC/BS (one of our biggest health insurance companies)

where their insured filed a claim for treatment and it was denied. My

patient looked through his handbook and found citations showing they did pay

for acupuncture when performed by a " qualified " practitioner. My patient

cited from their handbook and resubmitted the claim. BC/BS wrote back that

MD's qualify and since I do not have a Doctorate, I am not qualified for

reimbursement by them. Apparently, my masters degree in oriental medicine,

my years of training, my national certifications, my state licensure, and my

experience doesn't make me qualified. 200 hours of training if your an MD

does.

 

My patient is a very determined gent, who again resubmitted the claim. He

attached copies of my certifications and diplomas and again explained to

them that I was indeed qualified. He finally got them to pay. BC/BS said

they would pay on just this one claim, however, I believe this does sets

them up as paying for us! YEAH!!!!!!

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese MedicineOn Behalf Of

Attilio D'Alberto

Saturday, October 29, 2005 11:59 AM

Chinese Medicine

RE: Re: demographics/ UK licensing

 

 

For insurance purposes, you need to be a member of a TCM association, and

then a TCM qualification. However, some clinics practice without neither.

For BUPA referrals you need to be a MD and most of those have only been on

weekend acupuncture courses. I wish they wouldn't call it acupuncture.

 

Warm regards,

 

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

B.Sc. (Hons) T.C.M., M.A.T.C.M.

Company Director

The Earth Health Clinic

0208 367 8378

enquiries

<http://www.theearthhealthclinic.com/> www.theearthhealthclinic.com

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of

gabriellemathieu

29 October 2005 16:28

Chinese Medicine

Re: demographics/ UK licensing

 

 

I am astounded there aren't licensing requirements. Surely for

insurance purposes (isn't there a plan called BUPA which will cover

costs) one has to be accredited through some agency?

Attilio, I can post off list to any who reply, if this is getting too

focused on a non-TCM issue.

Your call.

Regards,

Gabrielle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://babel.altavista.com/

 

 

and adjust

accordingly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Yes, I've heard some nightmare stories about MDs, physiotherapists and

chiropractors. For example, a chiropractor asked an acupuncturist what to do

with the needles after treatment! Personally, I don't mind who practices

acupuncture so long as they've done the adequate amount of training, if not,

they should be ran out of town.

 

And talking of chiropractors, did you know Acupuncture Today is run by

chiropractors? Why do we support them, me included? Perhaps, because there's

not much choice. Its up to us acupuncturists to take hold of our field and

run it ourselves. How long have I been saying that for? Well, I for one will

be filling the gap soon enough!

 

Warm regards,

 

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

B.Sc. (Hons) T.C.M., M.A.T.C.M.

Company Director

The Earth Health Clinic

0208 367 8378

enquiries

<http://www.theearthhealthclinic.com/> www.theearthhealthclinic.com

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of Acudoc

29 October 2005 18:18

Chinese Medicine

RE: Re: demographics/ Florida licensing

 

 

>I wish they wouldn't call it acupuncture.

 

I agree with you, Attilio. We have a similar problem here with MDs and

Chiropractors claiming to do acupuncture with less than 200 hours of

training. Of course the insurers pay them without question. For us, with

more than extensive training, licenses, clinical training, etc.... Well you

know.... They don't want to pay us or even take us seriously.

 

Not only can they claim to do acupuncture, but they call themselves

acupuncturists. I have spoken to potential patients who claim that

acupuncture doesn't work for them, only to find they had it done by a

chiropractor or MD. Those who did not shut me down have become patients, but

it did take some work.

 

I would like to see us TCM folks take action so they would not be able to

practice without proper training.

 

I had an incident with BC/BS (one of our biggest health insurance companies)

where their insured filed a claim for treatment and it was denied. My

patient looked through his handbook and found citations showing they did pay

for acupuncture when performed by a " qualified " practitioner. My patient

cited from their handbook and resubmitted the claim. BC/BS wrote back that

MD's qualify and since I do not have a Doctorate, I am not qualified for

reimbursement by them. Apparently, my masters degree in oriental medicine,

my years of training, my national certifications, my state licensure, and my

experience doesn't make me qualified. 200 hours of training if your an MD

does.

 

My patient is a very determined gent, who again resubmitted the claim. He

attached copies of my certifications and diplomas and again explained to

them that I was indeed qualified. He finally got them to pay. BC/BS said

they would pay on just this one claim, however, I believe this does sets

them up as paying for us! YEAH!!!!!!

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese MedicineOn Behalf Of

Attilio D'Alberto

Saturday, October 29, 2005 11:59 AM

Chinese Medicine

RE: Re: demographics/ UK licensing

 

 

For insurance purposes, you need to be a member of a TCM association, and

then a TCM qualification. However, some clinics practice without neither.

For BUPA referrals you need to be a MD and most of those have only been on

weekend acupuncture courses. I wish they wouldn't call it acupuncture.

 

Warm regards,

 

Attilio D'Alberto

Doctor of (Beijing, China)

B.Sc. (Hons) T.C.M., M.A.T.C.M.

Company Director

The Earth Health Clinic

0208 367 8378

enquiries

<http://www.theearthhealthclinic.com/> www.theearthhealthclinic.com

 

 

Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine On Behalf Of

gabriellemathieu

29 October 2005 16:28

Chinese Medicine

Re: demographics/ UK licensing

 

 

I am astounded there aren't licensing requirements. Surely for

insurance purposes (isn't there a plan called BUPA which will cover

costs) one has to be accredited through some agency?

Attilio, I can post off list to any who reply, if this is getting too

focused on a non-TCM issue.

Your call.

Regards,

Gabrielle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://babel.altavista.com/

 

 

and adjust

accordingly.