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 December 2004 was:
What percentage of your patients are referred to you from medical doctors or chiropractors?
Results:
These results are based upon 283 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.
0%-25%: In New Jersey, patients need a diagnosis or referral ... while all of my patients have a diagnosis, very, very few come to my office with a referral.
26%-50%: The percentage increases every year.
26%-50%: I find MDs and DCs are accepting of acupuncture, especially when allopathy has failed the patient.
To vote in the current Acupuncture Poll, or to review comments and responses to previous poll questions, visit acupuncturetoday.com/acupuncturepoll.