"NCCAOM Promotes National Acupuncture Recognition
August, 2008: The NCCAOM is working with the CCAOM, AAAOM, FAOMRA,
ACAOM, and the NAF to have "acupuncturist" listed as a distinct
profession by the US Dept. of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Currently, "acupuncture" is only listed as a treatment modality
technique under the professions of nursing and chiropractic.
Other than this listing for chiropractors and registered nurses, there is no other recognition for acupuncture in the bureau's listings. This clerical oversight hampers the progress of acupuncture in the US. Inclusion of "acupuncturist" as a distinct profession will facilitate improvements with insurance reimbursements and possibly the institution of Medicare coverage. This will also help to create legal protections for the profession regarding the use of medicinal herbs.
The NIH (National Institutes of Health) will also provide direct funding for grant research once the listing is created. As it stands today, the NIH cannot provide direct funding due to this oversight. The work of the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), CCAOM (Council of Colleges for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), AAAOM (American Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), FAOMRA (Federation of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Regulatory Agencies), ACAOM (Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), and the NAF (National Acupuncture Foundation) may also assist with the creation of a federal loan forgiveness program for licensed acupuncturists."
It would be great if acupuncture was more widely covered by health insurance.
Other than this listing for chiropractors and registered nurses, there is no other recognition for acupuncture in the bureau's listings. This clerical oversight hampers the progress of acupuncture in the US. Inclusion of "acupuncturist" as a distinct profession will facilitate improvements with insurance reimbursements and possibly the institution of Medicare coverage. This will also help to create legal protections for the profession regarding the use of medicinal herbs.
The NIH (National Institutes of Health) will also provide direct funding for grant research once the listing is created. As it stands today, the NIH cannot provide direct funding due to this oversight. The work of the NCCAOM (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), CCAOM (Council of Colleges for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), AAAOM (American Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), FAOMRA (Federation of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Regulatory Agencies), ACAOM (Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), and the NAF (National Acupuncture Foundation) may also assist with the creation of a federal loan forgiveness program for licensed acupuncturists."
It would be great if acupuncture was more widely covered by health insurance.
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