REPORT FROM INSURANCE TASK FORCE:  JOIN INSURANCE DISCUSSION GROUP 

 

  
The task force has begun looking at what other states have done regarding insurance legislation and investigating what resources/organizations exist that could support a legislative campaign in this state.  The group agreed that an important first step is to reach out to the MA acupuncture and Oriental medicine community to begin to discuss insurance reimbursement for acupuncture.  We need to educate ourselves about the issues involved and listen to the concerns people have.  Putting together a good bill and getting it through the legislature is going to require both input from a number of people and significant grassroots support from practitioners and patients.

Three different methods of outreach are planned:

1) Google discussion group - AOMSM has created a Google group to foster a forum for the discussion of acupuncture insurance coverage in Massachusetts.
To join the MA acupuncture insurance Google group, go to: http://groups.google.com/group/ma-acupuncture-insurance

And click "Join this group".  You must have a Google account to do this.  If you don't have a Google account, you will need to create one.
The insurance discussion group is set up now and you can join today.  Contact Hudson Doyle at cmshudson@gmail.com with questions.

2)  Survey - In September, all Massachusetts acupuncturists will be invited to take an online survey on their attitudes toward and experience with insurance.  Results from the survey will be tabulated and publicized.

3) Town Meeting - The plan is to have one or two town meetings in October to report on the survey results and plan next steps.

To join the task force, contact Ellen Highfield at eshighfield@comcast.net. There is lots to do!!