AIDS TREATMENT NEWS #224, JUNE 2, 1995
John S. James
These seven conditions are: weight loss; diarrhea/loose stools; abdominal pain; nausea; headaches; enlarged lymph nodes; and neuropathy.
Note: The American College of Traditional and Chinese Medicine can be reached at 415/282-9603.
Reimbursement Issues
After many years of refusing to pay for "alternative" care such as traditional Chinese medicine, the trend today is toward coverage by insurers and other third-party payers. The reason is that alternative care usually costs much less than Western medicine, and companies can save money by paying for it.
In San Francisco, acupuncture was covered under the health plan for city employees for several years, but was discontinued last year due to a budget shortage. It has now been restored effective July 1. But the San Francisco plan has only covered acupuncture; other parts of traditional Chinese medicine, such as herbal treatment, have had to be paid by the individual. There is now a movement to expand coverage for San Francisco employees, and for others; San Francisco supervisor Angela Alioto has been very supportive.
The state of California has licensed acupuncturists for many years. (The law also allows medical doctors to practice acupuncture, regardless of whether they have been licensed or trained to do so.) California law requires health insurance companies which have their home office in California, and which are not HMOs or PPOs, to cover acupuncture treatment. Many of these companies, however, have ignored the law and refused to do so.
For information on how you can help to expand health-care coverage for traditional Chinese medicine in San Francisco and in California, call George Wedemeyer at 415/661-2080.
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