Advocacy & Legislation, Public Policy, Public Statements
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
Advocacy & Legislation, Public Policy
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

Advocacy & Legislation, Public Policy
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.
Action Alert Template
Advocacy & Legislation
The American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) held its annual meeting March 16-18, 2018 in Denver, Colorado.
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Advocacy & Legislation
On Monday, February 26, 2018, the California Acupuncture Board faced its Joint Sunset Review Hearing by the Senate Committee on Business, Professions & Economic Development and the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions. The public event was held at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
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Advocacy & Legislation
February 27th marked the third meeting of California Acupuncture Stakeholders, orchestrated by Assemblymember Evan Low at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
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Advocacy & Legislation
February 2nd and 4th marked a historical day for the acupuncture profession in California.
CSOMA President, Tiffany Tuftee and Board of Director Representative, Bruce Gustafson were in attendance to discuss unification of the profession. Assemblymember Evan Low and his colleagues helped organize the meeting to open the dialogue about why it is important to unite our profession in California. The takeaway message from our meeting:
To be heard on legislative initiatives that move our profession forward, we must have a clear and consistent message from the acupuncture profession as a whole.
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CSOMA Committee Updates
February 2nd and 4th marked a historical day for the acupuncture profession in California.
CSOMA President, Tiffany Tuftee and Board of Director Representative, Bruce Gustafson were in attendance to discuss unification of the profession. Assemblymember Evan Low and his colleagues helped organize the meeting to open the dialogue about why it is important to unite our profession in California. The takeaway message from our meeting:
To be heard on legislative initiatives that move our profession forward, we must have a clear and consistent message from the acupuncture profession as a whole.
(more…)
Advocacy & Legislation
In preparation for the upcoming 2018 Sunset Review of the California Acupuncture Board (CAB), Assemblymember Evan Low will be holding three Acupuncture Association Stakeholder Meetings in both Southern and Northern California as well as in Sacramento over the next two months. Assemblymember Low chairs the Committee on Business and Professions, which oversees the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and the California Acupuncture Board (CAB).
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CSOMA Committee Updates
CSOMA Committee updates for November 2017.
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Advocacy & Legislation
Congresswoman Judy Chu speaks up for acupuncture!
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