| Join the Insurance Discussion Group CLICK HERE |
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Once there, click "Join this group".
Make sure you have created a google account if you don't already have one. | |
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Greetings ,
It has been a busy couple of months since our last AOMSM Update. We have been working on starting a conversation in the AOM community about expanding insurance coverage for acupuncture and attending the national AAAOM meeting in Chicago, which will be reported on in our next newsletter. As the days grow shorter and the colder weather approaches we hope that you and your families are doing well. And as always, we value your comments, opinions and involvement. We'd love to hear from you! |
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TAKE ONLINE SURVEY
The AOMSM Insurance Task Force has developed a survey to gather information about attitudes of acupuncturists in Massachusetts toward the possibility of expanding insurance coverage as an option for acupuncturists in the state. We hope to gather opinions from as many people as possible who are licensed to practice acupuncture in the state of Massachusetts, and to achieve as wide a representation as possible.
The survey is available to take online at Acupuncture Survey . (Just click on this link and it will take you to the survey.) It will be up until November 30 and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Why has this issue come up now? Massachusetts is the first state to require all residents to have health insurance. Patients face growing financial challenges, making it harder to pay out of pocket. If acupuncture was covered by more insurance policies, it would increase the pool of potential patients and give more people access to this type of health care. It would also lift a major barrier to acupuncturists working in hospitals and other integrative settings. Expanded insurance coverage could expand opportunities and lead to the further integration of acupuncture and Oriental medicine into the heath care system. The question has therefore arisen: Is it time for the acupuncture community to revisit pursuing expanded insurance coverage, and to explore the options and implications of such coverage?
Expanding insurance coverage would not require any individual acupuncturist to participate in the insurance system if they don't want to; it would open up the option for those who wanted to.
Results from the survey will be compiled and made available in a future issue of AOMSM UDATE and at www.aomsm.org . We are also planning to hold a public forum on insurance later in the year.
Please take the time to communicate your thoughts and opinions on this issue by participating in the survey.
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INSURANCE GOOGLE GROUP CONTINUES
If you haven't already joined the google discussion group on insurance coverage for acupuncture, you can join by going to http://groups.google.com/group/ma-acupuncture-insurance . Click on "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. |
APPEAL FOR JOE BURSTEIN
Joe Burstein is a member of AOMSM and a NESA '76 graduate who needs your help. Joe was diagnosed with gastro-esophageal juncture cancer in December 2007. He has recently closed his practice to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatment and will be going to Germany for
hyperthermia treatment. His wife, Billie, died of breast cancer in February 2008. They have two sons.
His friends are setting up a website www.FriendsOfJoeBurstein.com which will have information about ways to help Joe. The website should be up and running shortly. Please check out the site and do what you can to support Joe and his family.
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BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN MEDICINE MOVES TO WAKEFIELD
The Board of Registration in Medicine and the Committee on Acupuncture have moved to Wakefield. Their new address is 200 Harvard Mills Square, Suite 330, Wakefield, MA 01880 and their new main telephone number is 781-876-8200.
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CLARIFICATION As the organization representing acupuncturists and Oriental medicine practitioners in Massachusetts, one of the responsibilities of AOMSM is to bring issues before our members that have the potential to impact the
profession. When a number of acupuncturists expressed interest in exploring expanding insurance coverage for acupuncture, AOMSM stepped in to participate and formed a task force. There is no "AOMSM agenda" about expanding insurance coverage for acupuncture, however. Individual board members have their personal opinions and they run the gamut. As a board, we have agreed not to take a position on the insurance issue in order to encourage all our colleagues to get involved in the dialogue that has been initiated and make it as broadly representative as possible. Get on the google group and express your thoughts. Take the survey and be counted. Insurance is something that every acupuncturist has to deal with in their practice, to a greater or lesser degree. Expanding insurance coverage could open important doors to acupuncturists and give the public greater access to Oriental medicine. On the other hand, as we all know, many physicians voice dissatisfaction with the insurance system and wish they could opt out. We have a choice how we proceed. Get involved. Help create the future of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Massachusetts. This is what it is about.
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Classifieds
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Welcome to the AOMSM Classifieds:
Your source for opportunities, jobs, and items for sale within the acupuncture and Oriental medicine community.
To submit a posting please send an email to:
classifieds@aomsm.org
Submissions may be edited for space considerations.
Listings do not necessarily represent an endorsement by AOMSM of organizations, services, or individuals. Readers should contact sponsors of listings for further information.
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Lonny Jarrett announces his Clinical Integration course beginning in September of 2008.
The course consists of 12 weekends over 2 years and is approved for 168 CEUs which include 5 hours of ethics. Information can be seen on line at: http://www.spiritpathpress.com/classes/clinical_integration.php , by calling 413-698-8011, or writing Lonny at acutkd@aol.com. There is a 5% discount for AOMSM members. This class will lay the foundation for a lifetime of clinical depth in the practice of Chinese medicine.
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Treatment room available in group practice - Davis Square, Somerville.
Great space for another acupuncturist or other health professional.
Room is available 1-3 days a week and is part of AmethystCenter, a successful holistic health practice. Practice includes chiropractic, massage, cranial sacral therapy, and naturopathy. Environment is quiet and therapeutic. Fee ranges from $150 - $400 depending on number of days.
Looking for committed practitioners. Please call or email for more information: 617-331-6324
padelsberger@gmail.com
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The treatment of structure/women/scar disorders with Kiiko Matsumoto: a series of Sunday workshop will be held on 12/7 from 9:00 to 5:30.
Required reading: Kiiko Matsumoto: Clinical Strategies: In the Spirit of Master Nagano, Vol. 1&2, esp. vol 2. The book is available by 617-630-9738 or Kiiko Matsumoto, 8 Centre Street, Natick, MA 01760.
7.5 CEU's per day.
Workshop Location: 1647 Washington Street, W.Newton, MA
Cost: $140 per day and Students $130 per day
Contact: Eugenia Lai at monkeykingsdaughter@gmail.com /781-246-3064 or Jessica Sollee at jmsflame@yahoo.com, 617-335-2148, for more information and to register
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New Health Center Opening in Franklin, MA.
Allied Chiropractic and SportsRehabCenter will be opening a new Health and Wellness Center in Franklin, MA November 1.
Our core dedication is to providing the highest level of healthcare to the community in an environment where our practitioners can all be supported. We are looking for an acupuncturist to join our group of chiropractors, massage therapists and other health care providers.
Candidates must have a dedication to excellence as well as being comfortable working in a group environment. If interested, please contact Dr. Cohen at don@doctorcohen.com . ___________________________________________________
Our email newsletter goes out to over 600 acupuncturists, so send us your classifieds for inclusion in our next newsletter !
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November 2008
