Fwd: CSOMA: SB899 Update Report -We need help!

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SB899 Update Report - ACOEM Research Project

 

 

by Connie Taylor, L.Ac., DiplAc.

CSOMA Director, Insurance Chair

 

May 21, 2004

 

Greetings CSOMA Members and Colleagues:

We need your help!

 

A significant number of injured workers are being denied the care they

need and deserve because of the recent passage of SB899. This piece of

legislation includes the guidelines for treatment set up by the

American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Acupuncturists who treat injured workers are increasingly being denied

authorization for treatment based on these guidelines, which state that

acupuncture is ineffective or lacking sufficient evidence of efficacy

for virtually all musculoskeletal injuries. These denials are

forthcoming, not just on new injuries but also for patients who have

long since closed their cases and were granted " future medical " per

their Compromise and Release. Although you may not treat injured

workers, this will eventually affect you as insurance companies will

take notice of these guidelines and use them as a reason to deny

acupuncture treatment, based on lack of scientific evidence of

efficacy.

 

We have 9 days to gather research, check it for appropriateness, and

get it to a professional researcher so that we can rebut the ACOEM

guidelines. We have already formed a group of dedicated acupuncturists

who are helping to write guidelines for treatment that are appropriate

for our profession.

 

How Can You Help?

• If you possess, or are willing to search for, " scientific,

evidence-based, nationally recognized, peer-reviewed research " for any

of the following body parts, we would appreciate your immediate support

and involvement.

â—¦ Neck/Upper Back

â—¦ Shoulder

â—¦ Elbow

â—¦ Forearm, Wrist, Hand

â—¦ Low Back

â—¦ Knee

â—¦ Ankle and Foot

Please email this research to CSOMA at advocacy and we

will submit it to the appropriate people to compile.

• If you have written what you believe to be a " good " letter to a

claims adjustor or utilization and review doctor appealing the denial,

please email it to the address already provided, or fax it to CSOMA at

(916) 455-0356.

 

Finally, we need your financial support to fund this monumental effort.

There are many of us that have given so much in time and money to keep

our profession viable. Won't you help as well? Your contribution in any

amount should be made payable to CSOMA Acu-Pac, or if you prefer by

credit card, please contact the CSOMA office at (800) 477-4564.

 

# # # # #

 

 

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CSOMA

2710 X Street, Suite 2A

Sacramento, CA 95818

916-455-0347

800-477-4564

Fax: 916-455-0356

rchristensen | www.csomaonline.org