Medicare, money, Richard..

[Guest guest]

Richard,

 

Chinese Medicine , acudoc11@a...

wrote:

> Nadia

>

> It is perfectly fine for each practitioner not to want to access

medicare

> when it is available.

>

> When you finally arrive at treating patients please offer a new

perspective

> at that time. I suspect it will be quite different.

 

Now this line hit a chord with me. I'd like to address it. I may not

be qualified to speak for the whole profession, which you will find I

did not do in my message, but I certainly have enough information and

experience to voice my own opinion. Do you even feel me unqualified

to do that? Since you do not know the extent of my experience, how

can you make a judgement like that? It is not only through running

your own clinic that you experience the trials and tribulations of

insurance billing. I conceed, however that you may be right. I may

just eat my words.

 

>The enormous value of being THE statutory primary provider of

acupuncture for

>medicare sets the 'bar' for all health care providers/carriers and

self

>insureds.... in providing AP/OM services.

 

>Who told you the figure of $20 for a medicare reimbursement for an

>acupuncture treatment? MDs receive much mroe than that so why would

anyone

>entertain

>such a theory for acupuncturists services? I have heard similar

propaganda and it

>has always been rediculous.

 

There is no acupuncture reimbursement at this time for Medicare, is

my understanding. Barb did mention the $25 figure, and while typing I

did not have the exact figure in front of me since hotmail is a

difficult beast, but $20 or $25, $27.50, $30, still does not appeal

to me. You may be right that I will change my mind while in practice,

but although I have not opened my own practice as of yet, it is my

right to not want to have anything to do with it. Worker's Comp

offers significantly more and I still want nothing to do with it.

Like I said, I fully admit I may eat my words. And you will be the

first to know if I do. :>

 

I never mentioned anywhere, nor even implied that I intended to bar

the way for others. To each their own. We need people willing and

enthusiastic about Medicare in this profession and I don't deny that

it will be a step forward for us to be included. It would be huge

from the stand point of a government concession that acupuncture

works. Perhaps too I was basing my opinion on the reimbursement for

Medi-Cal, which yes is a completely different system, but the

reimbursement in California is $16-17 dollars at this time (p. 266

Points for Profit, by Marilyn Allen, Honora Wolfe, and Eric Strand).

 

We do not need to fight one another on this. I was simply stating my

own opinion. Whether or not you want to listen is your perogative. I

have never claimed to know or have experienced more than I have. I

certainly conceed that those of you already in practice have a unique

perspective I currently lack. My point was only that I see a

different avenue for myself in treating low-income patients. Just one

more idea to add to the pot.

 

When Medicare reimbursement comes around, we can discuss this

further. I know that we all feel passionately about our opinions and

I wouldn't want it any other way. I value your perspective regardless.

 

>In the meantime....the fact that acupuncturists in the US are

considered

>second class providers....this won't change unless the legislatures

and/or the

>courts change this status quo.

 

>When acupuncturists become the statutory providers of acupuncture

and

>oriental medicine for medicare recipients and federal employees it

is certainly

>your

>right to opt out but please don't inhibit others from accessing

their rights.

 

Once again, believe me, I'll not only not get in your way, I'll fight

for your right to do so.

 

 

>As to educating the public and the law makers.....the profession

should be

>requiring those in leadership roles to make this a primary priority.

 

>If read correctly.....there was a US poll taken and lobbying

representation

>on the federal level was the number one priority. Why has this not

taken place

>and how can the profession ensure it happening?

 

By being vocal to the point of annoying, I suspect. By joining

together in solidarity despite our varied opinions and philosophies.

By committing our own precious time and money to the extent that we

are able to this end. Nobody is going to do it for us.

 

With high regards,

Nadia