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Letter from Newly Elected FSOMA President for 2025, Stuart Shipe

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.

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Call for Public Comment: Entry-level doctoral degree

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. 

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I do not bill insurance; why must I follow CMS documentation guidelines?

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. 

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Florida Saves Acupuncture Physician Title

Mission Accomplished!
Florida Saves Acupuncture Physician Title

When previous bills intended to restrict the use of the words “physician” or “doctor” in professional titles were introduced in Florida, they gained little traction or support. What made Senate Bill 230 different was not its language or timing, but instead the legislative leadership backing the Bill. Unlike previous efforts, in 2024, Florida’s State Senate leadership shared that SB 230 was a cornerstone in their healthcare reform agenda. Sponsorship of SB 230 was entrusted to the Health Policy Committee chairperson in the Senate, and a medical doctor elected to the leadership of the State House of Representatives. This gave gravitas and political life to an issue that had previously been floundering.

The Senate and House versions of SB 230 essentially would have banned anyone but medical doctors and osteopathic physicians from using the words “physician” in their advertisements and daily interactions with patients. Exceptions were made for chiropractic physicians, who are authorized in their practice to identify themselves as chiropractic physicians; as well as dentists and podiatrists, whose specialty recognitions and licenses can include the terms doctor, physician, and surgeon.1


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From the President - 2024 Conference Journal

From the President

Galina V. Roofener AP

Dear FSOMA Members, 
The FSOMA, as a 501(c)6, not-for-profit professional association, has been serving Florida Licensed Acupuncturists since 1994. During our long history, FSOMA has had tremendous success in gaining respect and acceptance for our profession at the State and National levels.

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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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Some Good Advice from SCORE on Business Planning

I've copied this post from a SCORE blog post found hereSCORE is a great organization supporting small businesses. 
Ellen

5 Tips To Nail Your Small Business Plan

How To Write a Business Plan

You would never start a road trip without a map planned destination. So why would you start a new enterprise without a solid business plan? 

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Asian American & Pacific Islander Month - Home of our Medicine

May 2021 provided the most visible celebration of Asian Americans' & Pacific Islanders' (AAPI) history, culture, and global influence.  By highlighting personal examples of courage and tenacity I was better able to learn about the lives of millions who came this country with little more than optimism and ambition.  Asian/Pacific immigrants, like those from Eastern/Western Europe and around the globe, most often chose to leave their birthplace to escape poverty, famine, and persecution only to face similar conditions in their new homeland. 

The stories of Asian/Pacific Americans who overcame biases rooted in ignorance and intolerance continue to inspire those who follow seeking similar opportunities for a brighter path in America.  Learning some of the heartwarming and heartbreaking stories of people who exceeded contemporary and societal expectations to fulfill their dreams is a reminder that the human spirit will triumph when given a chance.        

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