Revolutionizing Veteran Care with Acupuncture

Acupuncture is revitalizing the lives of veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. This therapeutic method, recognized for its ability to alleviate pain and PTSD among other conditions, has found a new home within the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, even extending its reach into the emergency department.

Veterans testify to the transformative power of acupuncture, highlighting its physical and mental benefits, and marking a significant step forward in holistic veteran care.

The resurgence of acupuncture within the VA system is backed by a growing body of research affirming its efficacy in treating various ailments, including chronic pain and PTSD. The incorporation of acupuncture reflects a broader shift towards embracing complementary and integrative health therapies, driven by evidence of their effectiveness, demand from veterans, and a national push towards non-pharmacological pain management options.

This shift is part of a concerted effort to offer alternatives to opioid pain management, with acupuncture playing a crucial role in this new healthcare paradigm.

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Massachusetts Introduces Bill to Integrate Acupuncture More Effectively into Healthcare

Massachusetts Bill S722, currently in committee, aims to create a specialized commission, under the wing of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, dedicated to exploring and enhancing the role of acupuncture into healthcare.

The commission will draw on the expertise of diverse health sector representatives, including the invaluable insights of two licensed acupuncturists, to delve into how acupuncture can be more effectively woven into the fabric of Massachusetts' healthcare offerings.

A key focus will be on developing frameworks for insurance reimbursement and the integration of acupuncture into alternative payment models.

The bill paves the way for acupuncture to be recognized under all health insurance policies and contracts, whether individual or group.

This includes coverage for treatments targeting pain management and combating substance abuse, marking a significant stride toward acknowledging the profound benefits of these ancient practices. It's also specified that only professionals holding licenses as acupuncturists or medical doctors will be eligible for reimbursement for providing acupuncture services.

A similar bill, HF1405, is going through the legislative process in Minnesota. The bill’s sponsors include three Democrats and one Republican, all of whom are invested in helping acupuncture services become more accessible and affordable to those in need of them.

These bills reflects a step forward for holistic health modalities being integrated into our healthcare system.

How People Are Paying for Acupuncture Treatments (2022 Study)

Results from a 2022 study¹ on the landscape of acupuncture-as-healthcare funding in the U.S. revealed what we probably already expected to be true:

📈 Increased Coverage: Insurance coverage for acupuncture visits has increased.
💸 Out-of-Pocket Costs: Most acupuncture expenses are still paid out of pocket, with more than half of acupuncture patients having zero insurance coverage for acupuncture as a treatment modality.

In spite of the many studies supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture, particularly for pain management (which Medicare even reimburses for), insurers’ excuse for the lack of coverage is “an inconsistent evidence base,” according to Candon et al.

Sources:

¹Candon, M., Nielsen, A., & Dusek, J. A. (2022). Trends in Insurance Coverage for Acupuncture, 2010-2019. JAMA network open, 5(1), e2142509. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.42509