Let’s start a conversation about changes from the new health insurance law and what they mean for you and accessing Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Naturopathic Medicine and Massage Therapy.  So far, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has expanded private insurance coverage to over 8 million previously uninsured Americans and it has expanded Medicaid to more than 15 million Americans.  These changes have enabled many people to receive health care when they previously could not.  It has also been a source of frustration and confusion for both the newly and previously insured, especially if you use us as your Primary Care.
What we’re hearing in our storefront clinics from newly insured patients is that they may not have coverage for our services and if they don’t, they don’t want to spend money out-of-pocket in addition to monthly premium fees.  Now that they have an additional monthly bill, specifically to help cover their health care costs, it is frustrating to then have to pay cash for our services without ever utilizing their insurance.  This is certainly understandable.
However, over the past 6 months since the ACA’s mandate took effect, some of these same patients have realized that they are spending $30-60 per office visit (in addition to monthly premiums) with their MD or specialist; equal to or more than our cash rates.  Furthermore, visits tend to last anywhere from 5-15 minutes and these patients walk away without feeling like they have a relationship with their Doctor, or an advocate for their health care goals.
 

So what are your options?

It’s important to know your health and wellness goals.  What are your goals?  Longevity?  Pain Management?  Positive Attitude?  Prevention?  Chronic Illness Management?  Whatever your personal goal is, we can help you look at your options and figure out what the most affordable, most effective and safest choices you have available.  Both our sliding scale and our clinical model encourage the least amount of care and adjunct products (supplements, herbs, injections, etc) for the greatest result; all based on what your goals are.

Next Part: The ACA and Insurance Coverage for Integrative Health Services