A PROVIDER EXPERIENCE
Michelle Jekelis, Whole Health Centers, Colorado
SERVICE(S)
Acupuncture. After Section 2706 went into effect (Jan 1, 2014)
THE STORY:
We have two patients, each covered by a different insurer, both of which provide acupuncture benefits. But both companies are denying all acupuncture claims. One has said that that acupuncture is only covered if performed by an MD. When we directed them to Section 2706 of the Affordable Care Act they would not respond. The other company said the same thing when we referred them to Section 2706 of the ACA; they said the restrictions are employer/plan-specific and have nothing to do with them. This is frustrating for us, but mostly for our patients. They spend a great deal of money on their health insurance, and because of this they are having difficulty coming in for their treatments due to the added expense.
We have reached out to these insurance companies multiple times as have our patients regarding Section 2706 since January 2015 and have made no headway. We even have a member of the board of the Colorado Acupuncture Association on our staff and she has not been able to make any progress either. We will continue to be persistent and would encourage providers and patients to do the same to make sure this important legislation is enforced.
Submitted: April 14, 2015
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