Since the announcement of acupuncture coverage under Medicare for chronic low back pain in January of 2020, there has been a push from acupuncturists and Medicare beneficiaries alike to get licensed acupuncturists approved as Medicare providers. Currently, licensed acupuncturists are not approved Medicare providers, and cannot perform acupuncture without the supervision of an Medical Doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic medicine (DO). While the federal recognition of the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for chronic low back pain is a big step in the right direction, it is also not yet comprehensively helpful to Medicare beneficiaries, as they are not covered to receive treatment by licensed acupuncturists; experts in their field.
What is the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act?
Leaders at the Forefront of the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act
The first groups to put their support in gaining provider status with Medicare was the NCCAOM and the American Society of Acupuncturists. Beginning in 2021, the NCCAOM and American Society of Acupuncturists teamed up to launch the Medicare initiative to obtain Medicare recognition for licensed acupuncturists. They proposed the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act to increase access to acupuncture within the healthcare sector as well as ensuring that acupuncturists can be recognized as providers within their own specialty; making a difference as well for Medicare beneficiaries.
The other important figures involved in getting this bill approved are congresswoman Judy Chu of California (the primary sponsor of the bill), and Brian Fitzpatrick (original cosponsor) of Pennsylvania. Representative Judy Chu was elected into the US House of Representatives in 2009 becoming the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress in history, and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee as well as several other committees. Her service on the House Ways and Means committee is why she is a valuable person to have support the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act as this committee has jurisdiction over Medicare amongst other important issues like taxes and Social Security. Additionally, she is a member of the subcommittees on health which allows her management over healthcare reform.
Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, former FBI special agent and federal prosecutor, was elected into the US House of Representatives in 2017. Like Chu, Brian Fitzpatrick is also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and is also a co-chair on the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force which works to fight the opioid crisis amongst other important issues. His participation and push for beneficial healthcare within congress also makes him a great candidate to be in support of the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act.
Although the pursuit for this bill began in 2021, it was unable to make it to a vote before the legislative season ended, and the bill was just recently re-introduced by U.S. representatives Judy Chu and Brian Fitzpatrick on May 9,2023. Since being introduced to congress, there have been 5 other congressmen who have become cosponsors; Scott Peters, Jimmy Panetta, Ted Lieu, Eleanor Norton, and Chellie Pingree.
What Can the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act Do for Medicare Beneficiaries?
Although Medicare has federally recognized the efficacy of acupuncture treatment, this did not include coverage for licensed acupuncturists to provide the service. Currently, licensed acupuncturists do not have Medicare provider status, and therefore cannot provide acupuncture service without supervision. The inability for Medicare beneficiaries to receive treatment by licensed acupuncturists is inefficient and cumbersome. Instead of finding themselves faced with plentiful opportunities for non-pharmaceutical treatment options, these patients are confronted with obstacles, confusion, and limited access to treatment by expert acupuncture practitioners.
Acupuncturists are not the only ones who would benefit from the passing of the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Bill, and it is easy to see why. This bill will benefit licensed acupuncturists across the US allowing them to administer safe and effective acupuncture treatment to Medicare beneficiaries, without the need for supervision. By giving acupuncturists the ability to render treatment, Medicare beneficiaries will be exposed to more holistic treatment options, thereby reducing the likelihood of turning to pharmaceuticals for pain management.
The opioid crisis has become a looming healthcare concern in the last several years, especially since the pandemic, and more so amongst individuals with Medicare. There are about 60 million, (projected to be around 80 million within the next 7 years) Americans who have Medicare and/or Medicaid, and passing this bill will aid in the ever-growing opioid crisis while also decreasing healthcare costs, by creating long-term beneficial outcomes.
How can we help and/or Support the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act?
There are already a multitude of acupuncturists who are advocating for and supporting the efforts of getting this bill approved in congress. On May 15th, the NCCAOM, ASA, and over 100 acupuncturists travelled to Washington, D.C. to meet with congressional offices in support of the act. If you are interested in supporting this bill, the NCCAOM and ASA have an advocacy platform where acupuncturists and patients alike can message their US Representatives by email or via Twitter to show their support and advocate for the passing of the act.
You can text 53886 on your cell phone, and type any of the following:
- “Acupuncture” – Acupuncture Campaign
- “Student” – Student Campaign
- “Acupuncture Patient” – Patient Campaign
- “Senior Citizen” – Senior Citizen Campaign
- “Acupuncture Ally” – Ally Campaign