CSOMA Year in Review 2020
Watch CSOMA’s Year in Review!
Acupuncture Advocacy Town Hall
On November 10, 2020, CSOMA hosted its Acupuncture Advocacy Town Hall with the ASA and NCCAOM, along with lobbyist David Quackenbush.
Review the three main agenda items here: CSOMA Advocacy Agenda 2021
Learn about THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING AN ADVOCATE – an interview with David Quackenbush featured in the latest issue of JAIM.
Please share these resources with your colleagues and with supporters of acupuncture medicine.
Thanks to all who attended and participated in this important event!
Public Comment on Medicare Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule
CSOMA has submitted a Public Comment regarding proposed changes in the 2021 CMS Fee schedule for CPT codes 97810-97814.
In summary, the proposed changes devalue acupuncture treatments to the point where it may not be financially feasible for Licensed Acupuncturists to serve Medicare beneficiaries and other insurance patients.
Page 286 of the Federal Register lists the proposed rule changes, stating:
“…That the RVUs for the acupuncture codes were based on a pair of crosswalks to two recently reviewed codes in the Dry Needling family…Due to the similar clinical nature of these services and their nearly identical work times, we believe that it is more accurate to propose cross walking CPT codes 97810 through 97814 to the work RVUs of the Dry Needling codes, which were finalized last year, as opposed to proposing work RVUs from 2004, which were never reviewed by CMS.”
The CMS is accepting public comments until October 5, 2020, by 5:00 PM. We encourage ALL practitioners and supporters of acupuncture to submit a public comment. Acupuncturists who do not accept insurance should also be encouraged to comment because this change will have an impact on our profession.
TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT
Please visit the ASA’s Public Comment on CY 2021 Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and follow the instructions for submitting public comment on this important issue.
CSOMA’s Public Comment on CY 2021 Payment Policies under PFS
CSOMA Hires Sacramento Lobbyist David Quackenbush
SAN FRANCISCO, August 26, 2020 – CSOMA is pleased to announce the hiring of Sacramento Lobbyist David Quackenbush to begin lobbying efforts immediately.
CSOMA’s Public Policy and Executive Committees chose Mr. Quackenbush for his experience with non-profit corporations and his unique skill set to push for legislative equality for the acupuncture profession in California and nationally.
Sarah Hart, LAc, CSOMA Board Director and Public Policy Committee Co-Chair, was instrumental in bringing Quackenbush on board. “Our committee gets a lot done,” she stated, “and Mr. Quackenbush is going to give us the presence we need in Sacramento to make a bigger impact.”
David Quackenbush brings 20 years of advocacy work in the nonprofit health sector. He is also a Governor appointee serving both the Governor Brown and Governor Schwarzenegger administrations.
“Legislative change is a process,” stated Quackenbush. “Having a consistent presence in Sacramento is key to building collaborative partnerships to integrate this important medicine into the health care delivery system creating access for the diverse communities throughout California. CSOMA is prepared to work together with all stakeholders to make progress and that makes us a good match.”
“Significant growth in CSOMA’s membership is essential to supporting policy work with Mr. Quackenbush,” remarked CSOMA president Dr. Nell Smircina, DAOM, LAc. “We need that vision and skillset, and we also need the sheer membership numbers to show that our profession is engaged and working in unison,” she continued. “‘Together we are stronger’ has never been more true. This will be a test of sorts to see how committed and unified our profession really is.”
About David Quackenbush
David Quackenbush is a lobbyist and consultant with over 20 years of a successful track record advocating for health care insurance coverage and access for low-income communities throughout California including health care reform and state and local public and private insurance programs. David has led multiple companies through reorganizations resulting in expanded resources and staff capacity to fulfill their missions. In 2013, David launched his own consulting group, Quackenbush & Company, to assist organizations to maximize participation and success in the newly reformed managed health care delivery system through the Affordable Care Act and Medi-Cal expansion.
David’s clients are passionate, mission-driven health care providers that strive for equitable access to primary care services for all individuals and families. David is a lifelong resident of Sacramento, California.
About CSOMA
CSOMA is a professional association of licensed acupuncturists and supporters of acupuncture, dedicated to the preservation, advancement and integration of the art, science, and practice of all branches of acupuncture medicine into the modern healthcare model, in a caring and ethical manner, thereby enhancing the health and well-being of the general public.
For more information about CSOMA, please contact Ra Adcock, Executive Director, at ra@csomaonline.org or visit us at csomaonline.org.
###
Webinars
Be sure to REGISTER for the course by clicking “Save My Spot”
CSOMA Board of Directors Votes Unanimously to Change Corporate Name
SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2020 – CSOMA is changing its corporate name to remove the term “Oriental.”
The California State Oriental Medical Association (CSOMA) is pleased to announce that their Board of Directors voted unanimously at a 7/19/20 meeting to change the corporation’s name to remove the word “Oriental.”
CSOMA President Dr. Nell Smircina, DAOM, LAc, states, “This is a critical time where members are looking to our Board of Directors for leadership, and with that, the ability to grow and evolve. Particularly in times of change we all need to say, ‘What can I personally do?’ This was something tangible we could do.”
President Obama signed HR4238 into law in 2016, which eliminates the term “Oriental” from federal law text. CSOMA Executive Director Dr. Ra Adcock, DACM, LAc, shared, “Since that time, CSOMA took initial steps to remove the term ‘Oriental’ from our members communications, public policy texts, publications and more.”
In 2017, CSOMA rebranded its 20 year-old publication from the California Journal of Oriental Medicine (CJOM) to the Journal of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (JAIM). Dr. Adcock added, “We’re excited to rename the corporation, in its entirety, to better respect and represent the diverse group of practitioners, students and corporate partners that create our fast-growing membership.”
CSOMA’s Board of Directors anticipate a 3-6 month timeline for the completion of the change.
About:
CSOMA is a professional association of licensed acupuncturists and supporters of acupuncture, dedicated to the preservation, advancement and integration of the art, science, and practice of all branches of acupuncture medicine into the modern healthcare model, in a caring and ethical manner, thereby enhancing the health and well-being of the general public.
For more information about CSOMA, please contact Ra Adcock, Executive Director, at ra@csomaonline.org or visit us at csomaonline.org.
###
View the PDF
CSOMA Requests CDPH to List Acupuncturists as Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers
SAN FRANCISCO, July 21, 2020 – CSOMA sent an open letter to Dr. Sonia Angell, Director & State Public Health Officer of the California Department of Public Health. The letter requests that the CDPH lists Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.’s) as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers,” noting that Licensed Acupuncturists provide necessary care for pain, PTSD, anxiety, and stress relief. The letter emphasizes the critical role licensed acupuncturists play in combatting the opioid epidemic by providing non-pharmacological pain relief to Californians, while following CDC infection control guidelines. Read the letter here (PDF).
Athletic Bill AB1592 CAB Letter
June 20th, 2020
Assemblymember Rob Bonta
1303 Tenth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember Rob Bonta,
The California State Oriental Medical Association (CSOMA), is writing to inform you of our concerns and objections to the Athletic Trainers Bill (AB 1592 & AB 1665), as amended in assembly January 14, 2020.
Our first objection is to the omission of the practice of Acupuncture in section 2697.14 which outlines the exclusions of practice to Athletic Trainers in the state of California. We believe this permits the proposed Athletic Training Practice Act to permit, at a later date and through future amendment, the practice of Acupuncture by Athletic Trainers of California under the guise of “Dry Needling” techniques.
Our second objection is in regards to the wording of section 2697.12 (a) which outlines the Scope of Practice for Athletic Trainers. Within these sections 2697.12(a)(3) and 2697.12(a)(4) states that an Athletic Trainer can provide “immediate care of an injury ” and “rehabilitation and reconditioning from an injury sustained or exacerbated while participating in athletic activity…. ”
CSOMA believes that along with the previous stated omission of the Practice of Acupuncture in the exclusion section of the Bill AB1592, 2697.12a Scope of Practice section will permit Athletic Trainers to practice Acupuncture directly on patients without referral to a Licensed Acupuncturist.
Our third objection regards the section of the proposed amended bill 2697.12 (d)
(d) An athletic trainer shall not provide, offer to provide, or represent that they are qualified to provide any treatment that they are not qualified to perform by their professional education or advanced post professional study or does not fall within the scope of practice of athletic training.
CSOMA strongly believes that this section does not go far enough to protect the safe practice of Acupuncture in California. With the aforementioned exclusion of the Practice of Acupuncture in the section 2697.14, we believe this current wording will permit the future practice of Acupuncture by Athletic Trainers.
CSOMA strongly objects to AB 1592 as currently written and amended on January 14, 2020, as it represents a potential public safety danger to Californians by persons practicing Acupuncture (aka Dry Needling), which are grossly under-trained to administer Acupuncture safely and effectively. As you know, Licensed Acupuncturists are required to spend up to 950 hours of direct and supervised training under accredited educational programs for the safe and effective administration of Acupuncture to patients.
CSOMA is requesting that you strongly consider objecting the current wording and omissions contained within AB 1592 and AB1665 on the basis of the lack of protections to the public safety in regard to the Licensed Practice of Acupuncture in California. In addition, CSOMA is requesting that “Acupuncture” be included under section 2697.14 which outlines the exclusions of practice to Athletic Trainers in the state of California.
Thank you again for your important work at this critical time.
Nell Smircina
CSOMA President
president@csomaonline.org
Ra Adcock
CSOMA Executive Director
ra@csomaonline.org
Best Practice Guidelines for Reopening Acupuncture Clinics
The CCAOM recently issued best practice guidelines for reopening acupuncture offices, stating “because of the asymptomatic shedding of SARS-CoV-2 virus, these precautions are considered universal and should become normalized clinic procedures.” View the guidelines here
Additionally,
- CSOMA is working with partner associations to provide continued guidelines for best practices in the state of California.
- Please stay up-to-date with your city, county and state mandates for business practices during this time to ensure that you remain in legal compliance as a business.
- Consult your malpractice carrier to stay in compliance; MIEC offers COVID-19 Resources for acupuncturists here
Thank you Gavin Newsom
Maintaining a strong connection with California government is vital to our profession. We recently showed our appreciation with a Thank You letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, and offered continued support. View the PDF
Act Now: COVID Relief Legislation
Now is a crucial time for our community to weigh in and urge Congress to include our requests in the next coronavirus relief legislative package. ACT NOW To Meet Needs of Integrative Health Professionals:
Complete the Word template and email or snail-mail your representative. Instructions included.
Takeaway Points: COVID-19 Acupuncture Town Hall
The American Society of Acupuncturists prepared this summary of the COVID-19 Acupuncture Town Hall webinar that took place on March 24, 2020.
Includes a summary of each speaker session, Q&A and resource links.