WASHINGTON, July 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) and the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) are pleased to support H.R. 4803, the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act that U.S. Representative Judy Chu (D-California) introduced on July 29, 2021. H.R. 4803 would authorize the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to recognize qualified acupuncturists as healthcare providers. Medicare recognition would enable qualified acupuncturists to provide covered services to Medicare beneficiaries—over 60-million Americans.
Acupuncturists currently cannot provide services to Medicare beneficiaries without supervision, even though their training and scope of practice enable them to practice independently. This disrupts the acupuncture service-delivery model, as they cannot receive direct reimbursement for the services they provide to Medicare beneficiaries, who in turn, cannot readily access their services.
Research demonstrates that acupuncture is effective in providing high quality, personalized care that helps individuals manage pain—without opioids and invasive procedures—and embrace preventive and wellness care options.
“As the national acupuncture professional trade association, the ASA applauds Representative Judy Chu, and her work to include qualified acupuncturists as providers under Medicare.” Olivia Hsu Friedman, DACM, L.Ac., ASA Chair.
Obtaining Medicare provider status for acupuncturists is a priority for the ASA and the NCCAOM. This recognition would enable qualified acupuncturists to improve the health and quality of life of individuals and their families. “As the national Board-certification body for acupuncturists, the NCCAOM attests to the competence, experience, and skill sets required of NCCAOM Board Certified Acupuncturists to ensure safe, high quality, effective patient care.” Mina Larson, M.S., MBA, CAE, NCCAOM CEO.
The Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act would provide access to cost-effective, evidence-based, high-quality care, for over 60-million beneficiaries. The ASA and the NCCAOM look forward to engaging members of Congress and the profession in this effort.
Media Contact: Sabrina Suarez: 714-606-6934
About the ASA
The Mission of the American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) is to promote the highest standards of professional practice for acupuncture and EAM in the United States, to benefit public health. Through strengthening the profession at the state level while promoting collaboration nationally and internationally, the ASA provides its members, the public, legislators, and regulators resources for ensuring the best expression of this ancient and modern medicine.
About the NCCAOM
The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)® is a non-profit 501©(6) organization established in 1982. The NCCAOM is the only national organization that validates entry-level competency in the practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine through professional certification. The NCCAOM certification or a passing score on the NCCAOM certification examinations are documentation of competency for licensure as an acupuncturist by 45 states and the District of Columbia, which represents 98 percent of the states that regulate acupuncture. The National Commission for Certification Agencies accredits all NCCAOM-certification programs. To learn more about the NCCAOM, or about acupuncture and national-board certification, visit www.nccaom.org.To find an NCCAOM board-certified practitioner in your area, click on Find a Practitioner at www.nccaom.org.