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Are you dealing with pain?

Are you dealing with pain? Maybe you have conditions like plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or other joint and back issues? I've had success treating various pain problems using acupuncture and herbal remedies.

Let's talk about some herbal formulas designed to address different joint and back ailments. There are formulas for gout, neuropathy, muscle injuries, spasms, and more. One formula tackles cold-type arthritis and fibromyalgia, while another deals with heat-related joint problems like swelling and inflammation. Sometimes, I combine formulas for complex issues like bone spurs and plantar fasciitis to ensure complete relief.

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FSOMA Attends ASA Conference and Fly In

FSOMA Attends ASA Conference and Fly In

The American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) held their annual conference in Washington DC April 5-8.  The meeting began with a national council meeting with representatives from 34 states and DC.  ASA is supported by state associations who gather to share ideas and challenges of the acupuncture profession nationally.  Representing FSOMA at the conference were: President Galina Roofener, Membership Chairman Dickie Walls, and Cynthiaann Hayes-Hurst, Advocacy Chairman.   

Discussion was centered around efforts to support HR4803, the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act.  This bill will allow licensed acupuncturists to be authorized providers of Medicare benefits.  There are many reasons why this is important for our profession.  Recognition by Medicare will:

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Use of Acupuncture More Than Doubles

BREAKING NEWS

Use of Acupuncture More Than Doubles

Editorial Staff  |  DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE

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Contract Questions Answered by Healthcare Law Attorney

Member Questions to Healthcare Law Attorney, Chase Howard:

Employment contracts, from both an employer and employee perspective

  • I don’t know what the question is here, but it's something we can help with. Generally, employers will hold more leverage and want greater protections. Employees should consider termination rights, post-termination restrictions (non-compete and non-solicit), how compensation is paid and when, whether there are fees reimbursed for expenses, and the process for that. An employer might also want to consider the same terms but from their perspective. For example, what rights do they have to quickly terminate and avoid a big severance, and what type of enforcement rights do they have when the employee breaches a contract.

Renegotiating contracts with insurance plans, and how to find the right person within the insurance company to do that

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Does Acupuncture Provided Within a Managed Care Setting Meet Patient Expectations and Quality Outcomes?

A 2-Year Retrospective Study of 89,000 Managed Network Patients

SOURCE: American Specialty Health Incorporated Health Services Department

This study underscores the importance of expanding access to acupuncture for a broader range of patients, emphasizing its potential to positively impact healthcare outcomes. With high patient satisfaction rates and notable improvements in pain management and overall well-being, acupuncture presents a promising avenue for enhancing and improving patient care. 

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A Comprehensive Guide to Establishing and Managing an Acupuncture Practice

Originally presented in webinar format by David Bibbey, LAc. The webinar is available to all FSOMA members here. Log into your membership account to gain access.

Starting and managing an acupuncture practice involves more than just clinical skills. Acupuncturists must navigate various administrative and regulatory requirements. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the steps required to set up an acupuncture practice; including: obtaining a business license, managing tangible property taxes, and understanding the complexities of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.

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Business Basics: Opening Your First Acupuncture Clinic

Originally presented in webinar format by David Bibbey, LAc. The webinar is available to all FSOMA members here. Log into your membership account to gain access.

Business Basics: Opening Your First Acupuncture Clinic

Congratulations on completing your academic journey in acupuncture! Now, it's time to turn your knowledge into a thriving practice. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the crucial steps involved in opening your first acupuncture clinic.

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Acupuncture Coverage in Florida's Medicare Part C Advantage Plans and Statewide Medicaid Managed Care

Originally presented in webinar format by David Bibbey, LAc. The webinar is available to all FSOMA members here. Log into your membership account to gain access.

In recent years, acupuncture has gained recognition and acceptance as an effective complementary therapy for various medical conditions. Many patients are seeking acupuncture treatments to manage pain, improve overall health, and enhance their well-being. This article will explore the availability of acupuncture coverage under Medicare and Medicaid, shedding light on how these government programs can significantly impact the accessibility of acupuncture services for patients.

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Mastering the Art of Submitting Articles to Your Local Newspaper

Originally presented in webinar format by David Bibbey, LAc. The webinar is available to all FSOMA members here. Log into your membership account to gain access.

In today's digital age, where information is readily available at our fingertips, local newspapers remain a powerful platform for community engagement. As a healthcare practitioner, sharing your expertise through newspaper articles can be a game-changer for your practice and community outreach. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps of crafting compelling articles for submission to your local newspaper.

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Ensuring ADA Compliance and Web Accessibility: A Comprehensive Guide for Businesses and Healthcare Providers

In today's digital landscape, websites play a pivotal role in connecting businesses and healthcare providers with their target audiences. However, the digital realm is not always inclusive, often presenting barriers for individuals with disabilities. This comprehensive guide addresses two essential components that bridge the gap of inclusivity: ADA compliance for businesses and web accessibility for healthcare providers. Let's delve into the significance of these aspects, the guidelines to adhere to, the potential legal ramifications, and the actionable steps required to create an all-encompassing online presence.

Introduction: Bridging the Inclusivity Gap

As technology evolves, the importance of ensuring that websites are accessible to everyone becomes increasingly evident. This guide amalgamates the realms of ADA compliance and web accessibility to provide a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and practices needed to establish an inclusive digital environment.

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Optimizing the patient experience for your acupuncture practice: dos and don’ts

In today's climate of heightened expectations in healthcare, patients are seeking seamless experiences that begin before they even step foot in your practice. 

But how can you begin to virtually develop a strong rapport with a potential patient and guide them along their healthcare journey? It starts with a concise, consistent, and current online presence. 

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How to Develop a Business Budget

This article was created from Building Better Business webinar: Business Budgeting 101

Edited by: Dr. Rachel Siditsky, AP, FSOMA Editor

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National Autism Awareness Month

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and this is an opportunity to showcase the ways in which Chinese medicine helps to serve different populations. When working with autism spectrum patients many can struggle with speech, touch, and sensory processing. As practitioners, we have many tools to help navigate these aspects of working with autism spectrum patients while providing a comfortable and safe environment in our offices.

Speech/Communication:

Autism spectrum patients may find it difficult to process information quickly to respond to lengthy questioning. Perhaps they may be able to process the questioning and information but find it challenging to communicate appropriate/accurate responses in real time. The beauty of Chinese medicine is the ability to treat someone without requiring them to dive deep into conversation or answer questions to check off the symptom/presentation needed to write a formal diagnosis, which may be the case in a western medical setting. If a patient struggles with verbal communication or they are nonverbal but read or write and consent to treatment, there are tools at our disposal to use for intake. This includes pulse diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, facial reading, and channel palpation. These tools all provide great diagnostic insight of the patient's current pathology. Utilizing pulse and tongue diagnosis has been a great way to form a diagnosis and treatment plan without requiring an autism spectrum patient to verbally communicate in depth responses if they prefer not to or are unable to. As a practitioner treating autism spectrum patients, I will still communicate with the patient what I am going to do and ensure an appropriate form of consent prior to placing my hands on their wrist for pulse diagnosis or any kind of physical touch, just as I would for all my patients. Physical cues for consent could be the patient rolling up their sleeves/bottom of pant leg, extending their arms out on the table or a head nod. The patient may also have a notebook where they write responses and consent to treatment.

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5W’s of Working with Veterans

Have you ever wanted to work with Veterans or First Responders? This article offers a glimpse” of what is possible within the scope of our practice, providing practical, safe and repeatable positive outcomes for those who serve us so well.

Who: Those in the military have served our country; first responders such as local law enforcement or sheriff’s office as well as the fire department also serve our society. Their commitment and sacrifice to maintain the freedoms we all hold dear deserves our dedication. Over the last 4 years, my work has evolved to assist those who have served, providing a multidisciplinary approach for those who desire direction and help for their mind, body, soul, and spirit.  

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Cervical Cancer + Chinese Medicine

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in the United State. According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC), more than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer annually.  

Chinese Medicine has been found to offer relief to people experiencing side effects of cancer treatment.  Some of the most common side effects of cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, pain, and loss of appetite. 

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The "Surprise Act"

The “Surprise Act” is a new Federal consumer protection law that protects patients from costly out-of-network billing charges related to emergency and urgent care treatment expenses.  Effective Jan 1, 2022, the federal law protects patients from “balance billing” practices that allow hospitals, outpatient facilities and transportation companies to bill patients for amounts not paid by insurers for covered and non-covered service by out-of-network providers.  

WHAT IS BALANCE BILLING?

"When a provider bills you for the difference between the provider’s charge and the allowed amount. For example, if the provider’s charge is $100 and the allowed amount is $70, the provider may bill you for the remaining $30. A preferred provider may not balance bill you for covered services."1

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Treating Chronic Open-Angle Glaucoma with Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine & Functional Medicine

Over the last 25 years, I have specialized in TCM Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Acupuncture.  I have made quite a few significant clinical observations through diagnostic testing, treatment, and direct feedback from my patients.  In my clinical practice, I incorporate TCM ophthalmology and Functional Medical Ophthalmology.  

Functional medicine uses methods to measure how weak (yin) or stressed (yang) the body’s organs, glands, and systems may be.  Among these include blood sugar, adrenals, thyroid, pituitary, oxidative stress, inflammation hydration, ATP-energy production, and contributing metabolic-hormonal issues.  Both TCM and Functional Medicine look to uncover patterns of disharmony.  The idea is to uncover deeper patterns and underlying pathologies that contribute to the patients’ symptoms and conventional biomedical diagnosis of glaucoma.

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President Biden signed a far-reaching Executive Order on July 9, 2021

Written by Chase Howard, Esq. from the Florida Healthcare Law Firm

On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed a far-reaching Executive Order that could have a significant impact on the acupuncture industry.  Under the Executive Order, President Biden:

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