bob@cadovax.UUCP (Bob "Kat" Kaplan) (03/14/85)
Does anybody know if services provided by holistic or "alternative" healers (i.e., non-M.D.s) are covered by health insurance carriers? My carrier specifies that the services must be performed by a "legally qualified physician." It's unclear to me whether or not this includes homeopaths, iridologists, herbalists, etc. If anyone has dealt with this situation, I'd be interested in hearing about it. -- Bob Kaplan "Where is it written that we must destroy ourselves?"
carter@gatech.UUCP (Carter Bullard) (03/18/85)
> Does anybody know if services provided by holistic or "alternative" > healers (i.e., non-M.D.s) are covered by health insurance carriers? > > My carrier specifies that the services must be performed by a "legally > qualified physician." It's unclear to me whether or not this includes > homeopaths, iridologists, herbalists, etc. In Georgia, legally qualified physician refers to a licensed practioner. That is someone who has passed a state qualifing exam. This includes chiorpracters, homeopaths, osteopaths and some psychopaths( that was a joke). California probably is the same. Do they license herbalists in California? -- Carter Bullard ICS, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta GA 30332 CSNet:Carter @ Gatech ARPA:Carter.Gatech @ CSNet-relay.arpa uucp:...!{akgua,allegra,amd,ihnp4,hplabs,seismo,ut-ngp}!gatech!carter
jmi@ihuxo.UUCP (j. irving) (03/27/85)
> Does anybody know if services provided by holistic or "alternative" > healers (i.e., non-M.D.s) are covered by health insurance carriers? > > My carrier specifies that the services must be performed by a "legally > qualified physician." It's unclear to me whether or not this includes > homeopaths, iridologists, herbalists, etc. > > If anyone has dealt with this situation, I'd be interested in hearing > about it. > -- > Bob Kaplan > > "Where is it written that we must destroy ourselves?" The first item to check is the definitions section of any available booklet from your employer and see what a "qualified physician" is. There should be a clarification of what this is. If you don't have a booklet, your employer is required to provide one for you. Get it and read it! Most major insurance companies define a physician as a physician who is legally licensed to practice medicine in the state of their practice. In California, an MD, DO (osteopathic physician) and a DC (Chiropractor) are all legally licensed to practice medicine. While there are states that will allow other physicians (ie homeopaths) they are not actually licensed and can be excluded from coverage. The only states I can find that currently license a holistic provider are Utah which licenses Oriental Medical Providers (ie accupuncturists, herbal ists) and there are two different types of licenses they can obtain. The only state currently licensing naprapaths is Nevada (effective 1/1/74) The best way to be sure is to send a written inquiry to your insurance company and request a written response - be sure to include your account and identification numbers with your inquiry. If you want the law changed, contact your congressman! GOOD LUCK!!
wmartin@brl-tgr.ARPA (Will Martin ) (04/02/85)
I have the federal employee's group health insurance with Aetna (one of the major national plans). They cover chiropractors on a year-by-year, state-by-state basis. For example, in 1984, Missouri was considered "underserved" by physicians, and therefor Aetna will pay claims for bills from chiropractors for that year for Missouri residents. This was not true for 1983, and I believe it is not true for 1985 -- the finding will vary from year to year. I don't know if this only refers to chiropractors or to other forms of alternative treatment too. Will USENET: seismo!brl-bmd!wmartin or ARPA/MILNET: wmartin@almsa-1.ARPA