From the Chair of the American Society of Acupuncturists

Dear Colleagues:

Winston Churchill once said, “To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often.”

Given this month’s events, it is clear our world not only needs us to change, but it is begging us to strive harder toward perfection. 

Cultural Competence

As protests spread nation- and world-wide following the death of George Floyd, we are all examining our unrealized biases and trying to better understand the depths of systemic racism.  Recognizing the need to thoughtfully present this very complex topic in a well-considered manner, the ASA and NCCAOM have been diligently exploring the best pathways to develop a cultural competence program specifically for our profession. While some are demanding immediacy, we demand quality which requires process.  When we formulate a program that we can be proud of, we will happily share more details.

Medicare Opt-Out

Another big call to change stems from the CMS decision to include acupuncture for low back pain:  Are L.Ac.’s ready to take their rightful place in the federal medical system and reap the benefits of being a recognized part of mainstream medicine? For those of you who joined the 6/24 Medicare town hall, we have since discovered that opt-out is automatic when a group becomes identified as a Medicare Practitioner.  This new material was presented at the beginning of the 7/1 town hall (a recording of 7/1 is HERE).  If ASA were to pursue Medicare inclusion, this is the designation we would request.  This means individual practitioners would be able choose to opt-out and still treat Seniors as well as charge cash at the practitioner’s discretion. 

Inside this newsletter, please read the NCCAOM lobbyist’s statement explaining opt-out as well as the Revised Medicare Educational Brief with additions highlighted in yellow.  Because this new information will likely change many ASA member practitioners opinions, the old survey link has been disabled and ASA state members have been sent a new survey.  

If you are an ASA state member, please complete a new Medicare survey and voice the long-term change you want to see in our profession.  The ASA state delegates will be voting on your state’s behalf on July 23rd to decide if the ASA will pursue Medicare inclusion.

New Business Models

Our last biggest change comes with going back to work under new conditions. Many of us are being challenged to pivot to new business models to survive and thrive. The July 1st ASA/NCCAOM town hall  our final episode for the season, will share the results of the COVID-19 Workforce Survey.  The impact of COVID-19 has prompted lots of deep professional soul searching and feelings of unease.  But always remember, we are the masters of coaxing pernicious forces into balance.  We are the experts of providing alternative solutions to conventional problems.  And we are the champions of removing stagnation, freeing up potential and promoting a more vigorous life force.

So, colleagues, let’s embrace our innate ability to cultivate worthwhile and life promoting change.  And let’s not only change.  Let’s move this profession toward perfection, together!

Best,

Olivia Hsu Friedman DACM, LAc
Chair, American Society of Acupuncturists

The ASA along with other groups collaborated with the research team to ensure that the questions reflect East Asian Medicine (EAM) approaches to treatments. It only takes 3-5 minutes to complete the survey for each patient!

1. The purpose is to gather data that demonstrates that EAM practitioners are indeed working during the COVID-19 pandemic; and that EAM therapies are being used to support patients with COVID-19 symptoms.

2. Health services data like this may be useful (now, and in future) to lobby legislators/regulators to consider whether EAM practitioners should be deemed essential healthcare workers.

3. Fill it out NOW during Phase 1 / Round 1 of the pandemic in case data is needed to support professional advocacy for possible future Phases / Rounds of shutdown.

This is a global project! Please support our EAM practitioners all over the world by participating as we are all in similar situations professionally.

Dear Colorado acupuncture community:

This newsletter is jam packed with important and useful information. Please take the time to read all of it. Keep your eyes on your inbox for follow up calls for action.

Dr. Liz Lovefury, DAOM, LAc.
President, Acupuncture Association of Colorado

Triwest News from ASA

The ASA confirmed Triwest are STOPPING recoupment efforts.  We were told to allow 45 days for all recoupment issues to be straightened out.  At this time they are using an April start date for Medicare rates.  More to follow as we are addressing other issues with Triwest.

From The ASA Insurance Committee

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In addition to the information sent out in the last newsletter regarding signing up with Tivity to be a VA provider, Elizabeth McBride from Tivity sent the following info.  TriWest will be responsible for training webinars for credentialed providers and acupuncturists will need to register for an account with Availity. 

REGISTER HERE

To access the CCN Provider Handbook and quick reference guides, go to Availity at www.availity.com.  You will need to log in to your account If you do not have one, you can register for free. Navigate to the TriWest Payer Space and either take the CCN training by clicking on the “TriWest Learning Center” or access the CCN Provider Handbook and quick reference guides.
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The CDC put out a request for comments regarding the management of acute and chronic pain.

From the CDC:

Public comment will help CDC's understanding of stakeholders' values and preferences regarding pain management and will complement CDC's ongoing work assessing the need for updating or expanding the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain

Tuesday Wasserman, the AAC Board member who is the ASA representative for the AAC has created a research based extensive response. You can read it here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dEwtXIhA8J1Lq-esQDrSxeRn0Ov8DWKoCaKbwCJtw2Y/edit

Donations

Water Mama Acupuncture is offering auriculo-acupressure kits for those supporting protests or otherwise supporting actively dismantling systemic racism, prosecution for police murders and brutality, and making sure that ALL Americans receive justice and fair treatment - #blacklivesmatter. If this describes you, send a message via watermama.org (@watermamaacupuncture on Facebook ) with your email address (for access to video instructions) and your mailing address to send the ear seeds kit. 

If anyone wants to add to the number of kits available, Water Mama is accepting donations of ear pellets, envelopes, and money to purchase stamps and more ear pellets. Please contact Dr. Rhonda Coleman, DAOM, Owner, Water Mama Acupuncture directly through the above links.

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Did you Know?

AAC members are entitled to various discounts such as 5% off Lhasa OMS products.

For more info and to see more AAC discounts, please visit: https://acucol.com/Member-Benefits
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URGENT ACTION NEEDED! Protect Patient Access in Colorado!

HB20-1085 Action Alert Email

As a reminder to the email that went out last week, urgent action is needed regarding upcoming House Bill 20-1085. Current policies create barriers for patients seeking alternative treatment. In most cases, it's easier and less expensive for physicians to prescribe opioids and for patients to receive opioids. House Bill 20-1085 remedies this by ensuring that all health benefit plans provide coverage for at least six alternative therapy visits at a co-pay amount not to exceed the regular amount charged for a primary care visit.

ACTION NEEDED!

Please contact the Governor’s office (and ask your patients to as well!) to let him know you want him to sign the bill into law!

Email Governor Polis: governorpolis@state.co.us
Call Governor Polis: 303-866-2885

Please note: We recommend all members also look up their legislators and send to them, as pressure from grassroots + legislators = PRICELESS.

Here is a sample letter and script for you to use:

Governor Polis,

As a Colorado constituent, I am contacting you to request your support in signing HB 20-1085 into law, which provides access for Coloradans to skilled rehabilitative services as an alternative to opioid use.

Over 500 (drugabuse.gov) Coloradans are losing their lives annually to opioids, with a frequent starting point for opioid use being musculoskeletal pain. When a physician visit to obtain an opioid is cheaper than addressing the underlying pain, we have a significant problem. This bill works to address this issue by mirroring copays with primary care to expand access to those in need.

Complimentary care providers, including Acupuncturists, are able to provide a skilled alternative to opioids. Further data shows increasing access to these providers prevents opioid use.

HB 20-1085, with bipartisan support from the Colorado House and Senate, increases patient access to these skilled rehabilitative services by ensuring all health plans provide a minimum of six visits of unrestricted coverage.

Your support of this very important legislation is greatly appreciated,

Respectfully,
(your name)
(your county)
(your zip code)