Besides the other numerous benefits to FSOMA membership listed at FSOMA.org, including the soon-to-be-upgraded website which will facilitate patient referrals directly to you, consider this.

Our basic right to practice acupuncture has been created and sustained over the past 40 years by the Florida State Oriental Medical Association (FSOMA). Before FSOMA, we were only able to practice under the supervision of MD’s or DO’s, and at that we were only allowed to stick in needles and use moxa. Nothing else. We had no legal right to diagnose. No rights to do massage, recommend herbs and supplements, use e-stim, light therapy, essential oils, or treat with any other of the many modalities we now regularly employ. We had no right to call ourselves Acupuncture Physicians or even bill insurance companies independent of our MD overlords. Believe me. I know. That’s how it was when I came to Florida in 1982, until a courageous and determined group of FSOMA members gathered the political support in Florida’s Legislature to create laws and rules in our favor.

Greetings esteemed colleagues and members of the Florida State Oriental Medical Association.

It is with great humility and immense gratitude that I speak before you today as your newly elected president. This is a position I do not take lightly, and I am both excited and deeply committed to the work we will do together in the coming years. We are about to embark on a journey—one rooted in the profound traditions of Oriental medicine, yet propelled forward by a spirit of innovation, unity, and purpose.

As the year winds down, many of your patients have Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) with funds they might not know they can use for acupuncture—and these funds often expire on December 31st! A well-executed “Use it or Lose it” campaign is not only a great way to encourage patients to take advantage of their benefits but also a powerful tool to boost your end-of-year bookings.

Here’s everything you need to know about why this campaign is important and how to get the most out of it.

By: Jeffery Grossman 

You’ve already done the hardest part: getting new patients in the door, building their trust, and helping them experience the benefits of acupuncture. But once they’ve had that first appointment, how do you ensure they stay engaged and continue with treatment? Patient retention is the lowest-hanging fruit for any practitioner because these are patients who already know, like, and trust you. Why let all that go to waste?

The idea of using a cloud-based clinic management software can seem daunting — maybe you’ve been using pen and paper, don’t feel comfortable with technology, or have had a negative experience with online security or reliability in the past.

But as the world becomes increasingly digital, having a clinic management software and EMR (electronic medical record) tool that allows you to manage patient charts, scheduling, and payments from anywhere with an internet connection can make a big difference for your acupuncture practice.

A letter on behalf of FSOMA

On September 24, 2024 the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (ACAHM) published a Call for Public Comment on its website regarding entry-level doctoral degree completion tracks. The Commission proposes ending the doctoral completion track option. Entry-level doctoral degree completion tracks would no longer be an option for ACAHM-accredited programs after January 1, 2030. 

In recent months, we’ve heard some questions about why FSOMA has been focusing on insurance issues when many APs don’t take insurance. FSOMA certainly recognizes that many practitioners do not take insurance and absolutely supports those practices. However, in accordance with our mission and purpose, FSOMA is committed to delivering necessary updates to advance the practice of ALL Florida acupuncturists. Insurance is currently one of the hottest topics with the most confusion among our members, which drives this topic to the forefront of our attention, resulting in increased publicity. 

Recently, acupuncturists who accept insurance have been running into significant roadblocks, similar to many other medical providers, who find it challenging to get adequate reimbursement. The most current issue is that some of the major policies have started denying Evaluation and Management (E&M) CPT codes and, in some cases, recouping them back. The main reason for this denial is a lack of awareness from the Acupuncturists about recent changes from time-based E/M to Medical Decision Making (MDM) based documentation and coding according to the 2021 Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) guidelines. 

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:

BREAKING NEWS

Use of Acupuncture More Than Doubles

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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