Whether you accept it, avoid it or live somewhere in between, insurance coverage has become a defining issue for our profession. Patients increasingly expect to use their benefits, practitioners want to be compensated fairly for their time and expertise, and the system itself remains – at best – fragmented. The encouraging news is that coverage has expanded in meaningful ways. The challenging news is that reimbursement, across the board, remains inadequate.
Acupuncture Poll
The Acupuncture Poll question for October 2004 was:
How many patients do you refer out to medical doctors or chiropractors each month?
Results:
These results are based upon 230 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. Some comments have been edited for brevity.
Between 6 and 10: I get more referrals back from medical doctors and osteopaths as well as chiropractors - 13 this month so far.
Between 6 and 10: I typically get more referrals from chiropractors or medical doctors, since most of my patients have already tried anything else besides Oriental medicine first.
Less than 5: I don't refer many people to medical doctors. However, I frequently make referrals to a specific chiropractors who has a physical therapy orientation; also, to a psychologist I like, and to other acupuncturists with specific specialties.
To vote in the current Acupuncture Poll, or to review comments and responses to previous poll questions, visit acupuncturetoday.com/acupuncturepoll.