Acupuncture Poll

Editorial Staff

The Acupuncture Poll question for November 2002 was:

"What percentage of your practice consists of cash-paying patients who are not covered by insurance?"

Results:

These results are based upon 179 responses. As this is a voluntary, non-scientific survey, caution should be used in generalizing the results. Here is a sample of the comments made by those who took the survey and how they voted:

0-25%: I treat auto accident and HMO patients only, working in a large multispecialty clinic, and see an average of 80-90 patients a week. My referrals from the MDs in our clinic are increasing every week due to the growing interest in acupuncture/herbal medicine in the elderly population.

26-50%: Less than half of patients can't get any reimbursement for acupuncture mostly due to Medicare guidelines. Patients with coverage are more likely to continue care after initial symptoms are resolved.

For more information on the Acupuncture Poll, contact Acupuncture Today at editorial@acupuncturetoday.com.

February 2003