Dear Friends, <br>Background: Very simply,
insurance companies only reimburse for procedures for which
there is a defined code. No code, no coverage or
reimbursement. Under the present system there are no codes for
Complementary and Alternative <br>Medicine (CAM) procedures,
including midwifery procedures. However, a New Mexico
company named Alternative Link
(<a href=http://www.alternativelink.com/
target=new>http://www.alternativelink.com/</a>) has <br>created standardized
codes for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine and nursing (including
midwifery), and is in the process of trying to get the
Federal Government to adopt this set of codes, so that
insurance can cover these important health care options.
The midwifery codes have been developed with input
from many midwives across the country, including
direct entry midwives from MANA. <br><br>From Connie
Koshewa &lt;connie@...&gt; at Alternative
Link: <br>Your comments during this process can make
the difference between a lack of access to insurance
coverage for CAM and nursing or mandated billing support
for licensed alternative medicine and independent
nursing services. <br>The Department of Health and Human
Services has named standard coding for conventional
medicine claims. However, there are no named procedure
codes to describe complementary and alternative
medicine or nursing services. Alternative Link has the
only developed code set before the Department of
Health and Human Services that support CAM and nursing
services. The only <br>coding source that describes
conventional medical treatments is CPT, owned and developed by
the American Medical Association. By October of 2002,
all insurance carriers, Medicare and Medicaid will
only accept claims coded with <br>standard code sets.
The Department of Health and Human Services
recognizes that the named code sets do not meet the needs of
all health care providers. <br><br>Mail Comments to:
<br>The Honorable Tommy Thompson <br>Office of the
Secretary <br>Department of Health and Human Services
<br>200 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201
<br><br>Phone 202-690-7000 <br>Fax 202-690-7203 <br>Web site
<a href=http://www.hhs.gov target=new>http://www.hhs.gov</a> <br><br>Public
Comments (from Consumers):
<br>State why you use or would use the services of
complementary and alternative medicine providers (CAM). State
what access you currently have for these services
under your insurance plan, if you have one. Be sure to
focus on how these services are paid for and if you
have access to reimbursement from your insurance
carrier. <br><br>Comments from licensed CAM and nurse
providers: <br><br>1. State why the American Medical
Association's CPT coding system has <br>not met the needs of
your profession. <br><br>2. State why Alternative
Link's ABC coding system would allow you to bill for
services to insurance companies. <br> 3. List any other
business problems that are solved using the ABC codes
<br><br>Please call toll free if you would like additional
information: 877-621-5465