Archive for September, 2008
Saturday, September 27th, 2008
Does my insurance cover acupuncture?
This is now my number one question asked, when a new patient calls.
Five years ago this question was second only to: Does it hurt?
Today the community of prospective patients has conquered their needle-phobia and are now looking to ease the pain in their wallets. In truth I don’t blame them with a nose diving economy and ever growing insurance premiums, we should all make the most of our insurance coverage.
I can also say that many things have changed in the insurance game in the last few years and that it is much more likely to have acupuncture benefits on your policy now.
How do I know if I have acupuncture benefits?
The simplest way to find out is to give me (or the acupuncturist of your choice) a call with your insurance card in hand. All we need are a few basic pieces of information, your ID number on the front of the card usually (sometimes this has numbers and letters) , your name, date of birth, and the provider relations number on the back of the card. Once we get through the automated phone system and get to talk to someone, ( I normally do this around lunch as it may take some time) we just ask if you have benefits.
If you want to call here are important questions you should ask your company:
- Do I have in network or out of network benefits? In-network benefits means you must go to a practitioner who is a provider for your policy. In some cases there are relatively few acupuncturists in a given area and those practitioner might be Certified Acupuncturists (meaning although they are other health care professionals, they get about a tenth of the training as a licensed acupuncturist) *** I should note that although it has taken some time, some of the bigger providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield are taking Licensed Acupuncturist. I am a provider for them! Out-of-network benefits indicate that your insurance will cover and practitioner, provided that the practitioner wishes to take the insurance. Out of network benefits normally are on the higher end policies, but are more common for patients who’s policies cover acupuncture.
- Are there any limits to treatment? It would be much simpler if acupuncture coverage was a yes or no answer, sadly it is not. After you find out that you have coverage you need to ask if there are any limitations. Limitations that may be included on your policy can include everything from a monetary cap (ie: $1000 per year), a number of visits per calendar year, can exclude certain conditions (they may cover back pain, but not smoking cessation), and may even limit your benefits to seeing certified acupuncturists (yes, it is a touchy subject with me). In most cases, if you have benefits, the insurance representative will list any such limitations. If they tell you something that you don’t understand, please ask them to explain. I’ve called many, many times and have spoken to someone who was either reading the wrong information or clearly didn’t know what they were talking about(If that happens I suggest hanging up and trying again, I know it’s as fun as it sounds).
- What am I responsible for? Yes, even with benefits and coverage you might very well have to pay something out of your pocket. In-network patients will be subject to a Co-pay, which may run between $15-30; in some cases I’ve seen it be $40 which is ridiculous. Out-of-network patients may be responsible for a percentage of the treatment, your insurance may cover 70% leaving you with the remainder, which may be negotiable with your acupuncturist (it can’t hurt to ask). In some cases there may be a deductible, this can be a big or small number depending on you policy, but may also have been eaten up by other health care practitioners, if it is later in the year. Most patients with out-of-network benefits will have some deductible, and I have heard of some in-network policies that have had deductibles, but it is much more less common.
So, what do you do if you found out that you don’t have acupuncture benefits?
If you get your health care through an employer, ask your benefits representative, or HR what you need to do to get them. In some cases you can just alter you policy with your current company, in other cases you may have to wait for open enrollment and change to a different company. If your company doesn’t offer acupuncture benefits demand it. The more people at your office that ask, the more likely they will be to add it.
If you get your benefits on your own ask what policies cover acupuncture and ask about your costs and limitations. You may have to get a new company or you may be able to add the benefit without much hassle.
Here is a list of companies in the Baltimore area who may have Acupuncture Benefits:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Benefits program
Carefirst Blue Cross PPO
Carefirst Blue Choice PPO
Johns Hopkins Employee Health Benefit (especially the PPO)
Great West (now a division of Cigna)
Some Cigna policies (I’ve had problems dealing with them before)
United Health Care PPO
Atnea (usually the high end policies)
Please remember that if you don’t see your company listed or don’t know if you have benefits on your plan, just contact me, tom@ancientartsacupuncture.com , and I’ll gladly check for you.
Saturday, September 27th, 2008
Does my insurance cover acupuncture?
This is now my number one question asked, when a new patient calls.
Five years ago this question was second only to: Does it hurt?
Today the community of prospective patients has conquered their needle-phobia and are now looking to ease the pain in their wallets. In truth I don’t blame them with a nose diving economy and ever growing insurance premiums, we should all make the most of our insurance coverage.
I can also say that many things have changed in the insurance game in the last few years and that it is much more likely to have acupuncture benefits on your policy now.
How do I know if I have acupuncture benefits?
The simplest way to find out is to give me (or the acupuncturist of your choice) a call with your insurance card in hand. All we need are a few basic pieces of information, your ID number on the front of the card usually (sometimes this has numbers and letters) , your name, date of birth, and the provider relations number on the back of the card. Once we get through the automated phone system and get to talk to someone, ( I normally do this around lunch as it may take some time) we just ask if you have benefits.
If you want to call here are important questions you should ask your company:
- Do I have in network or out of network benefits? In-network benefits means you must go to a practitioner who is a provider for your policy. In some cases there are relatively few acupuncturists in a given area and those practitioner might be Certified Acupuncturists (meaning although they are other health care professionals, they get about a tenth of the training as a licensed acupuncturist) *** I should note that although it has taken some time, some of the bigger providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield are taking Licensed Acupuncturist. I am a provider for them! Out-of-network benefits indicate that your insurance will cover and practitioner, provided that the practitioner wishes to take the insurance. Out of network benefits normally are on the higher end policies, but are more common for patients who’s policies cover acupuncture.
- Are there any limits to treatment? It would be much simpler if acupuncture coverage was a yes or no answer, sadly it is not. After you find out that you have coverage you need to ask if there are any limitations. Limitations that may be included on your policy can include everything from a monetary cap (ie: $1000 per year), a number of visits per calendar year, can exclude certain conditions (they may cover back pain, but not smoking cessation), and may even limit your benefits to seeing certified acupuncturists (yes, it is a touchy subject with me). In most cases, if you have benefits, the insurance representative will list any such limitations. If they tell you something that you don’t understand, please ask them to explain. I’ve called many, many times and have spoken to someone who was either reading the wrong information or clearly didn’t know what they were talking about(If that happens I suggest hanging up and trying again, I know it’s as fun as it sounds).
- What am I responsible for? Yes, even with benefits and coverage you might very well have to pay something out of your pocket. In-network patients will be subject to a Co-pay, which may run between $15-30; in some cases I’ve seen it be $40 which is ridiculous. Out-of-network patients may be responsible for a percentage of the treatment, your insurance may cover 70% leaving you with the remainder, which may be negotiable with your acupuncturist (it can’t hurt to ask). In some cases there may be a deductible, this can be a big or small number depending on you policy, but may also have been eaten up by other health care practitioners, if it is later in the year. Most patients with out-of-network benefits will have some deductible, and I have heard of some in-network policies that have had deductibles, but it is much more less common.
So, what do you do if you found out that you don’t have acupuncture benefits?
If you get your health care through an employer, ask your benefits representative, or HR what you need to do to get them. In some cases you can just alter you policy with your current company, in other cases you may have to wait for open enrollment and change to a different company. If your company doesn’t offer acupuncture benefits demand it. The more people at your office that ask, the more likely they will be to add it.
If you get your benefits on your own ask what policies cover acupuncture and ask about your costs and limitations. You may have to get a new company or you may be able to add the benefit without much hassle.
Here is a list of companies in the Baltimore area who may have Acupuncture Benefits:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Benefits program
Carefirst Blue Cross PPO
Carefirst Blue Choice PPO
Johns Hopkins Employee Health Benefit (especially the PPO)
Great West (now a division of Cigna)
Some Cigna policies (I’ve had problems dealing with them before)
United Health Care PPO
Atnea (usually the high end policies)
Please remember that if you don’t see your company listed or don’t know if you have benefits on your plan, just contact me, tom@ancientartsacupuncture.com , and I’ll gladly check for you.
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Well, hopefully no rain on two very important days for Maryland Organizations!
On October 4th there will be Dogfest, a day of fun for Dogs, their companions and animal lovers everywhere put on by the Humane Society of Baltimore County. We will have our booth there and be setup to give out information about acupuncture and oriental medicine for both pets and the people that love them. If you are there swing by and check us out. It will be held at Shawan Downs in Cockeysville, for directions please looks here. If you get a chance bring your dogs, friends and family over to the booth and join our raffle for a free acupuncture treatment, a free animal acupuncture treatment and possibly more. We are going to charge a dollar a ticket and all proceeds will go to the Humane society.
Also on the 4th of October, we (meaning Janice Campbell L.Ac. and Michelle Shaw C.M.T., sorry I’ll be at the Dogfest) will also be at the Step Out for Diabetes at the M&T Stadium. The will be doing short acupuncture and massage treatments for walkers at the event. So get out there, raise money walk and then relax.
I have one more event I’d like to promote on the Fourth, The Pets On Wheels Dog-a-thon. Unfortunately modern physics still hasn’t found a way to get me in three places at once and I had already double booked the date, but I wish I could have been here as well. This even will be at Oregon Ridge Park and be another short walk to raise money for Pets On Wheels a great organization that sets up pet visits for lonely and sick people. It’s truly amazing how much animals can help heal us as well.
The next event I’d like to talk about is BARCSTOBERFEST, held in Patterson Park on Sat. Oct. 18th. This event is being held to support BARCS a privately run shelter in Baltimore City. We will definitely be at this event. Come down and check out our booth, get some information, and see some dogs dress up for Halloween. We did this event last year and it was really a fun day.
If for some reason you cannot make any of these events please, please, please click on their websites and donate. Many of the people that help run these events spend countless volunteer hours working to make these events successful and just a few dollars may help a dog, cat or human in need.
No Comments
Category Barcs, Barcstoberfest, Cat, Dog, Dog-a-thon, Dogfest, Fall Events, Horse, Oriental Medicine, acupuncture, animal acupuncture, baltimore | Tags:
Thursday, September 11th, 2008
Well, hopefully no rain on two very important days for Maryland Organizations!
On October 4th there will be Dogfest, a day of fun for Dogs, their companions and animal lovers everywhere put on by the Humane Society of Baltimore County. We will have our booth there and be setup to give out information about acupuncture and oriental medicine for both pets and the people that love them. If you are there swing by and check us out. It will be held at Shawan Downs in Cockeysville, for directions please looks here. If you get a chance bring your dogs, friends and family over to the booth and join our raffle for a free acupuncture treatment, a free animal acupuncture treatment and possibly more. We are going to charge a dollar a ticket and all proceeds will go to the Humane society.
Also on the 4th of October, we (meaning Janice Campbell L.Ac. and Michelle Shaw C.M.T., sorry I’ll be at the Dogfest) will also be at the Step Out for Diabetes at the M&T Stadium. The will be doing short acupuncture and massage treatments for walkers at the event. So get out there, raise money walk and then relax.
I have one more event I’d like to promote on the Fourth, The Pets On Wheels Dog-a-thon. Unfortunately modern physics still hasn’t found a way to get me in three places at once and I had already double booked the date, but I wish I could have been here as well. This even will be at Oregon Ridge Park and be another short walk to raise money for Pets On Wheels a great organization that sets up pet visits for lonely and sick people. It’s truly amazing how much animals can help heal us as well.
The next event I’d like to talk about is BARCSTOBERFEST, held in Patterson Park on Sat. Oct. 18th. This event is being held to support BARCS a privately run shelter in Baltimore City. We will definitely be at this event. Come down and check out our booth, get some information, and see some dogs dress up for Halloween. We did this event last year and it was really a fun day.
If for some reason you cannot make any of these events please, please, please click on their websites and donate. Many of the people that help run these events spend countless volunteer hours working to make these events successful and just a few dollars may help a dog, cat or human in need.
No Comments
Category Barcs, Barcstoberfest, Cat, Dog, Dog-a-thon, Dogfest, Fall Events, Horse, Oriental Medicine, acupuncture, animal acupuncture, baltimore | Tags:
Thursday, September 4th, 2008
Many people have been asking me about community acupuncture and about the difference between community and private treatments. The main difference is the fact that there are a group (we will talk about why we choose the word community in a little) of patients being treated at the same time in the same room. This has several advantages for both the patients and the practitioner.
The biggest patient advantage can be seen in their wallets. While I cannot accept insurance for this style of treatment, the out of pocket expense is a whopping $20 per session (in some cases smaller than your co-pay). Originally this style of treatment is designed to allow patients who otherwise wouldn’t have the means to get continued treatment due to the financial commitment. By no means does it cheapen the the quality of the acupuncture, in fact I have some of my long term patients use community acupuncture treatments to get additional benefits during the week. Patients can come in for necessary care more often and I even have several patients who come in just because they like acupuncture and get an hour a week to relax.
Another great benefit is that prospective patients can come in and “sample” acupuncture without having to pay for a full on private treatment, which can run anywhere from $50 to $200 in Baltimore. This has actually helped many of my patients ease their way into my office and put them on the road to health.
While the all mighty dollar may be a patients first reason for choosing community acupuncture over private treatments, good old belonephobia is probably a close second. That’s right, the second we hear the word needle many of us turn a whiter shade of pale. Why would needle-phobia be cured by community acupuncture? Simply put, strength in numbers. In this atmosphere a new patient can come in with a friend, or in many cases at my clinic, book up the whole hour with a group of friends trying something new. Once the horror movie scene of a man in a white lab coat creeping up with a novelty size syringe is put to rest and patients see how small and painless it actually is, the whole room seems to let out a deep relaxed exhale. This is usually the time when the once scared patient says something like, ” Was that it?” I have many patients who now come in by themselves that had to hold the hand of one or two of their friends the first treatment.
This next reason is something that might make some people really want to try community style and others opt for more private treatments. In the community setting there seems to be a bit more motion and liveliness. Usually patients are chatting with others and asking me questions. It’s a great way for me to tell groups of patients information about health, acupuncture or just chat about the day. Then this really amazing thing happens. Usually about fifteen minutes into setting the last patient’s needles, the room goes silent. There isn’t anyone hushing anyone else, no glances that you would see in a library, just a mutually agreed silence. The room feels different, heavier and enveloping. It seems like everyone in the room has synchronized their breathing and that the treatment room itself has a distinct pulse. This group of people who may or may not know each other has become a single community. I’m wondering if the first person to call these group treatments “community acupuncture” was picking up on the same vibe. With more observation of this phenomenon, I’m sure it will become an interesting article in the North American Journal of Oriental Medicine.
This leads me to another question: Well if it’s so great why not exclusively treat community style?
Well, that answer is a little more complicated.
Lets start with the easy reasons. My room is not big enough to fit a large number of patients. My community treatments normally have 3-4 people in them and at most a snug 6 patients. My current small office cannot hold more people comfortably, and until our next move (which hopefully will be in the next 6 months) six is my limit. Right now I have my patients on some very fancy folding recliners, which are comfortable and easy to store, but I’d also like to have the option of having my patients on tables. The recliners really only allow limited access to the back and I have patients who need to sit up while I work on their low back.
Another reason is hands-on time. Some patients really what the full hour devoted to them, or sometimes I really need the full hour to work on a more complex patient. Dancing between six patients is fun, but when one patient needs a little more or could benefit from a more labor intensive technique I cannot equally split time between everyone. This is why I do a short screen for patients before they come in to decide whether community or private treatments would be best.
Another reason is insurance. Yes, even when you try and do a nice thing, they get you. I have many active insurance patients and unfortunately insurance companies DO NOT RECOGNIZE community acupuncture. If I tried to bill the insurance company for community acupuncture I would get lost in tons of red tape and would be spending more time trying to get paid for each treatment than actually performing the treatments. As I pointed out before the cost is smaller than some patients co-pays. That being said if a patient does have insurance benefits and wants to use them it needs to be in a private treatment setting.
Finally, some patients may just prefer the single treatments. They get to relax in a room that is theirs for an hour, but removed from their world. No other people chatting and I’m quietly sitting nearby if they need me. This allows them to get the most out of the treatments and many patients, after having community treatment, will choose private sessions.
I like these as well because patients are less guarded and can talk more openly about their problems, which makes addressing them easier. No one wishes to air their dirty laundry or have a good cry in a room of strangers.
I do have many patients that will
do “tune-ups” or bring friends in for my community sessions, but will come in for private treatments whenever they feel they need it.
Oddly, I carry a bigger private patient load than my community, and it’s fine by me. I hope to be able to provide as many people as possible with the best possible acupuncture, however they wish to be treated. Now if I could only get my animal patients in for community treatments! 
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008
Many people have been asking me about community acupuncture and about the difference between community and private treatments. The main difference is the fact that there are a group (we will talk about why we choose the word community in a little) of patients being treated at the same time in the same room. This has several advantages for both the patients and the practitioner.
The biggest patient advantage can be seen in their wallets. While I cannot accept insurance for this style of treatment, the out of pocket expense is a whopping $20 per session (in some cases smaller than your co-pay). Originally this style of treatment is designed to allow patients who otherwise wouldn’t have the means to get continued treatment due to the financial commitment. By no means does it cheapen the the quality of the acupuncture, in fact I have some of my long term patients use community acupuncture treatments to get additional benefits during the week. Patients can come in for necessary care more often and I even have several patients who come in just because they like acupuncture and get an hour a week to relax.
Another great benefit is that prospective patients can come in and “sample” acupuncture without having to pay for a full on private treatment, which can run anywhere from $50 to $200 in Baltimore. This has actually helped many of my patients ease their way into my office and put them on the road to health.
While the all mighty dollar may be a patients first reason for choosing community acupuncture over private treatments, good old belonephobia is probably a close second. That’s right, the second we hear the word needle many of us turn a whiter shade of pale. Why would needle-phobia be cured by community acupuncture? Simply put, strength in numbers. In this atmosphere a new patient can come in with a friend, or in many cases at my clinic, book up the whole hour with a group of friends trying something new. Once the horror movie scene of a man in a white lab coat creeping up with a novelty size syringe is put to rest and patients see how small and painless it actually is, the whole room seems to let out a deep relaxed exhale. This is usually the time when the once scared patient says something like, ” Was that it?” I have many patients who now come in by themselves that had to hold the hand of one or two of their friends the first treatment.
This next reason is something that might make some people really want to try community style and others opt for more private treatments. In the community setting there seems to be a bit more motion and liveliness. Usually patients are chatting with others and asking me questions. It’s a great way for me to tell groups of patients information about health, acupuncture or just chat about the day. Then this really amazing thing happens. Usually about fifteen minutes into setting the last patient’s needles, the room goes silent. There isn’t anyone hushing anyone else, no glances that you would see in a library, just a mutually agreed silence. The room feels different, heavier and enveloping. It seems like everyone in the room has synchronized their breathing and that the treatment room itself has a distinct pulse. This group of people who may or may not know each other has become a single community. I’m wondering if the first person to call these group treatments “community acupuncture” was picking up on the same vibe. With more observation of this phenomenon, I’m sure it will become an interesting article in the North American Journal of Oriental Medicine.
This leads me to another question: Well if it’s so great why not exclusively treat community style?
Well, that answer is a little more complicated.
Lets start with the easy reasons. My room is not big enough to fit a large number of patients. My community treatments normally have 3-4 people in them and at most a snug 6 patients. My current small office cannot hold more people comfortably, and until our next move (which hopefully will be in the next 6 months) six is my limit. Right now I have my patients on some very fancy folding recliners, which are comfortable and easy to store, but I’d also like to have the option of having my patients on tables. The recliners really only allow limited access to the back and I have patients who need to sit up while I work on their low back.
Another reason is hands-on time. Some patients really what the full hour devoted to them, or sometimes I really need the full hour to work on a more complex patient. Dancing between six patients is fun, but when one patient needs a little more or could benefit from a more labor intensive technique I cannot equally split time between everyone. This is why I do a short screen for patients before they come in to decide whether community or private treatments would be best.
Another reason is insurance. Yes, even when you try and do a nice thing, they get you. I have many active insurance patients and unfortunately insurance companies DO NOT RECOGNIZE community acupuncture. If I tried to bill the insurance company for community acupuncture I would get lost in tons of red tape and would be spending more time trying to get paid for each treatment than actually performing the treatments. As I pointed out before the cost is smaller than some patients co-pays. That being said if a patient does have insurance benefits and wants to use them it needs to be in a private treatment setting.
Finally, some patients may just prefer the single treatments. They get to relax in a room that is theirs for an hour, but removed from their world. No other people chatting and I’m quietly sitting nearby if they need me. This allows them to get the most out of the treatments and many patients, after having community treatment, will choose private sessions.
I like these as well because patients are less guarded and can talk more openly about their problems, which makes addressing them easier. No one wishes to air their dirty laundry or have a good cry in a room of strangers.
I do have many patients that will do “tune-ups” or bring friends in for my community sessions, but will come in for private treatments whenever they feel they need it.
Oddly, I carry a bigger private patient load than my community, and it’s fine by me. I hope to be able to provide as many people as possible with the best possible acupuncture, however they wish to be treated. Now if I could only get my animal patients in for community treatments!
