"Senators Seek Coverage for Alternative Therapies."

[Pearlan Feeney-Grater]

As we all prepare for the Convention, I read today that an "Influential group of US Senators believe the time has come to embrace an array of alternative therapies." Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa who is a long time supporter of non traditional medicine is at the forefront of the effort to win insurance coverage (The Boston Globe page 1 today!) Now, though they mention Acupuncture, Naturopathic Physicians, Chiropractors , Massage Therapy and Mind/Body Techniques, Hypnotism is not one of the therapies mentioned .... To mention or not to mention needs to be thought about. I think the time is ripe for reaping the benefit of all our efforts but we need to think about how this will effect us. To PRESS or not To Press!

[Seth-Deborah Roth]

Some concerns regarding insurance coverage for hypnosis.

#1- Licensing hypnosis -such as only psychologists and psychiatrists and social workers as now is for Medicare (which is government regulated). You cannot bill Medicare unless you are a Medicare official supplier which means licensing.

#2- Insurance companies are reimbursing LESS AND LESS every year NOT more. The reductions are only more to come.

#3- Usually for most long term clients what do we see them for 5,6, or 7 times for pain management, IBS, etc. Most people do afford our services . We always have the group sessions alternative for low cost alternatives for those who need it or if you want to get into a payment plan. What will you do when the government tells you to lower your rate from $100 an hour (just a round figure for this discussion) to $50 an hour?? Or ...we the insurance company say we will only let you charge $60 an hour if you are a PPO member of our plan. This is only too real, so please be aware of what being covered by insurance truly means !!! The acupuncturist across the hall from me is working twice as many hours to make less than I do.

#4- I can tell you that after attending a "Guided Imagery " organizational meeting recently, they do not want any other people other than medical licensed people doing Guided Imagery and they want you to have an accredition in "Guided Imagery"