What are some ways that can make TCM more attractive to Insurance companies? I will discuss some of things members of national and state professional organizations are saying. Again, the state organization that I belong to in Florida is FSOMA; I can’t say enough good things about the leadership of this organization.
We all agree that the biggest hurdle TCM is facing with insurers is in demonstrating the true effectiveness behind its modalities, particularly Acupuncture. Since Acupuncture is the modality that insurers are most comfortable in covering, we need to highlight the advantages to it.
The consensus determined by our group(s) is that there are two facets in resolving this issue. For one, we need to present the research of the clinical efficacy behind Acupuncture in “Western” terminology. That is, terminology that your typical Western trained clinician can appreciate. There are several research projects and papers that are helping to satisfy this need. Obviously, much more research is needed.
However, we are atleast past the starting point. Most if these studies have demonstrated the efficiency of Acupuncture in treating disorders such as Pain and Stress/Anxiety. Some of these studies have even demonstrated how Acupuncture achieves better results in treating such disorders in comparison to their Western counterparts, such as Physical Therapy.
The current research has also demonstrated how Acupuncture, in particular, produces less side effects than taking medications prescribed by Western clinicians. I should note that this advantage of side effects also pertains to Acupuncture in comparison to actual Western “hands-on” modalities. Again, the most referenced Western modalities are with Physical Therapy.
Where we are lacking is in presenting these advantages to the insurers. In comparison to the Western medical organizations, we are just a needle in a haystack to these insurers. They know where their bread and butter comes from and its not us.
Now, I don’t want to leave you with the impression that we have not improved in this area. We have. However, we know that we have a long road ahead of us.