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IN MEMORIAM Mary Simmons
It is with much sadness to learn of the recent passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Ms. Mary Simmons. Mary was one of the original staff members of the Florida College of Integrative Medicine and played a pivotal role throughout her career in our school’s history, growth and development. In her various positions over the past 25-plus years, including Director of Financial Aid, Director of Student Services and Director of Alumni Relations, she was often the first and last person to see a great number of our graduates during their tenures at FCIM and was instrumental in many of our students’ successful completion of their studies.
Mary brought diligence, fortitude and a unique personal touch to her work and forged close, lifelong friendships with many of us here at FCIM. Her substantial contribution to FCIM and the acupuncture/TCM field at-large will continue to bear fruits for many years to come and live on the hearts and minds of everyone in the FCIM family.
Please join us in remembering Ms. Mary Simmons for all the light and joy she brought to our lives and may her achievements inspire us all.
NEW RULE FROM BOA ON PRO BONO SERVICE
Continuing Education Requirement FAC 64B1-7.0015 : effective 10/04/2022
(e) Pro Bono Services:
1.Up to 7 hours, per biennium, of continuing education credit may be fulfilled by the performance of pro bono services to the indigent or to underserved populations or in areas of critical need within the state where the licensee practices.
2. For credit for pro-bono services a licensee must apply for prior approval in order to receive credit. In the request for approval, licensees shall disclose the type, nature and extent of services to be rendered, the facility where the services will be rendered, the number of patients expected to be served, and a statement indicating that the patients to be served are indigent.
3. Service must be provided on a pro bono basis through an organization offering humanitarian missions to:
a. Domestic and/or international victims in an emergency situation or disaster area;
b. Low income population (no greater than 150% of the federal poverty level), as based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines as published in Vol. 87 Fed. Reg. 3316-16 (Jan. 21, 2022), incorporated by reference, a copy of which may be obtained from http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14752; or
c. United States military personnel.
4. Unless otherwise provided through Board order, no licensee who is subject to a disciplinary action that requires additional continuing education as a penalty, shall be permitted to use pro bono medical services as a method of meeting the additional continuing education requirements.
Winners Announced for Acu Awareness Month
 Dr. Robert Drill Kienitz II, DAOM, DTCM died on June 23, 2022 from heart failure. He was 66. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona on December 06, 1955. He resided and practiced Traditional Chinese Medicine in Vero Beach, Florida for six years. Previously, he lived and practiced TCM in Wilmington and Carolina Beach, North Carolina and in Mesa, Arizona. He was a graduate of the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1996
He is survived by his wife, Cindy Powell Kienitz and their son Sean: son Austin Aldrich (Tiffany); and grandson Triumph. He is also survived by his four siblings, Lucy Spence, Erin Hegedus, Rebecca Lepore, and William Kienitz. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert Drill Kienitz I and Aline Cannon Kienitz.
Those that would like to make a donation in Robert’s honor may do so at the Nature Conservancy and Playing for Change Foundation.
A celebration of life will be held privately with his immediate family. Arrangements are under the direction of Millennium Cremation Service. Condolences may be shared online at https://millenniumcremationservice.com
 We are saddened by the passing of Dr. SaTerra Vishnu, DOM, AP of Mount Dora, Florida on July 22, 2022. He graduated from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in 1986, interned at the Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx in alcohol and drug rehab (NADA) and took advanced studies in the Peoples Republic of China at the Guangzhou College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He was an expert in microsystems like NADA, Soji (Korean Hand therapy) and BioElectrical Diagnostics and German Homotoxicology.
Dr Vishnu was passionate about helping veterans with our medicine and developed evaluation techniques using Heart Rate Variability to show clinically the immediate benefits of acupuncture.
Memorial will be held Saturday 7/31 at 4pm
FSOMA has proudly been exhibiting annually at the Workers Compensation Institute Conference in Orlando for over 5 years. It is a national conference with heavy participation from the local area or Orlando and throughout Florida. As a FSOMA member, it is a great opportunity to volunteer your time, interact with Workers' Compensation community and educate them about the benefits of acupuncture. We are requesting volunteers for Monday August 22nd and Tuesday August 23rd 2022.
You will be taking a brief intake and giving mini acupuncture treatments to attendees who include adjusters, lawyers,and medical personal who work in the Workers Comp system. A knowledge of Auricular, Korean Hand Therapy, Dr. Tan or Master Tung treatments would be a plus.
We ask that you commit to a 5 hour time slot on Monday
or 3 hours slots on Tuesday
Monday 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 12noon
12 noon - 3:00 p.m.
If you are interested in volunteering, please simply fill out and submit this form. FSOMA will contact you upon receipt and review of your application to inform you with further details and provide you training and orientation via webinar.
Register here to attend next FSOMA BOD meeting, online June 20, 2022 at 7pm
New Member Benefits: Free Social Media images showcasing research to promote the benefits of Acupuncture & Asian Medicine. Visit Your Benefits to learn more.
Judy Chu's Acupuncture for our Seniors Medicare bill needs more sponsors.
You can help!
or
100 Day Moxa Challenge - for Long Covid Symptoms
 A California LAc is now teaching qigong and acupressure at Mt Zion Staff Wellness Center.
Ra Adcock, Executive Director of CSOMA reports on Instagram "I’m excited to be teaching qigong and acupressure in the new Mount Zion Staff Wellness Program. Building UCSF’s integrative medicine tools one campus at a time… alway starting with programs that nourish and enrich the hardworking and dedicated staff, knowing how the movement opens organically from there."
From PubMed - Acupuncture therapy as an Evidence-Based Nonpharmacologic Strategy for Comprehensive Acute Pain Care: the Academic Consortium Pain Task Force White Paper Update
Conclusion: The majority of reviews find acupuncture therapy to be an efficacious strategy for acute pain with potential to avoid and/or reduce opioid reliance. Future multi-center trials are needed to clarify the dosage and generalizability of acupuncture for acute pain in the ED. With an extremely low risk profile, acupuncture therapy is an important strategy in comprehensive acute pain care.
 In Memoriam Dr Su Liang Ku. On Wednesday, May 25, 2022, Dr. Su Liang “Alan” Ku (80) of Pinellas Park, FL passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family who with him fought a courageous battle against cancer. Alan, a beloved husband, father, and brother, is survived by his wife of 18 years, Kelly Ku of Pinellas Park, FL; his son Charles (Marlene) Ku of Tampa, FL; his daughter Sara (Brandt Witt) Ku of Washington, DC; and two stepchildren. He is also survived by his brother Tai Sun (Kyin Show Wai) Ku of Maymyo, Myanmar; his brother David (Carole) Khoo of Boyds, MD; and his sister Winnie (James) Ramsey of Rockville, MD. Also surviving are his several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Born in Maymyo, Myanmar, February 1, 1942, Alan was born to Mr. Wan Chin Khok and Mrs. Kim Kuei Tan, who were originally from Hubei, China. He was the seventh of ten children in his family. Growing up in Myanmar, he assisted with his family’s dentistry practice and studied acupuncture and traditional chinese medicine (TCM) with Fujian University.
In 1972, Alan immigrated to the United States, where he became a pioneer of acupuncture and TCM. While Alan first practiced in Maryland, in 1977, he relocated to Florida, where at the peak of his career, he operated three clinics and the Florida Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a school providing masters-level education in TCM. Throughout his career, he contributed to the growth of acupuncture and TCM in the US, helping to establish educational and practice standards while serving on the Florida Board of Acupuncture and the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM). He also published journal articles and improved the health and well-being of tens of thousands of individuals, many of whom became life-long patients. Beyond TCM, he was an active member and leader in the local community, particularly in the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans and the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair.
In his personal life, Alan most enjoyed traveling the world, eating flavorful food, observing beautiful natural scenery, and honing his passion and skills in photography. He greatly valued education throughout his life and was self taught in many of his pursuits and interests, including photography; Chinese poetry, history, and literature; and playing the flute, accordion, and violin.
Funeral service will be held at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at 9:00 am followed by a viewing at 10:00 am. Masks are required. Interment will take place at Parklawn Memorial Park, 12899 Veirs Mill Rd, Rockville, MD at 11:00 am.
New Member Benefits: Free Social Media images showcasing research to promote the benefits of Acupuncture & Asian Medicine. Visit Your Benefits to learn more.
Mary Catherine Hoffman, 74, of Sun City Center, FL, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. A native of Port Huron, MI, she had resided here since 1990 coming from Fairfax, VA. She was an Acupuncture Physician and a member of FSOMA (Florida State Oriental Medical Association). She is survived by her daughters, Michele Weissman and Margot Townsend and granddaughter, Emma Rose Das. Services are pending.
Cathy was a NCCAOM National Board Certified and Florida licensed Acupuncture Physician, Diplomate of Oriental Medicine and Registered Nurse with over 40 years of healthcare experience. She was earned a Masters in acupuncture at East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota, FL and a Masters in Nursing from the University of Tampa. She completed post-graduate certification in “Classical Five-Element Acupuncture” at the Institute of Taoist Education & Acupuncture in Louisville, Colorado.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Catherine Hoffman
Data on Insurance Utilization for acupuncture over past decade
FSOMA now has member savings on a full range of insurance policies available including now a Group Health plan
2021 IRS deductible for FSOMA membership fee is 73.5% of what you paid.
Eulogy for Dr Thomas Michael McCormack
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my dear friend, colleague, and personal care-giver, Dr. Thomas Michael McCormack, Acupuncture Physician, who died April 5, 2022 at his home in Sarasota after a long illness. Click Here for the Full Eulogy
One of the most important translations of this century - Click Here to Watch
FSOMA now has member savings on a full range of insurance policies available including now a Group Health plan Click Here for More
National News - Arizona
On March 22, 2022, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed into law Senate Bill 1080. The first major acupuncture-related legislation in 22 years.
SB1080 passed with a unanimous vote out of the Senate and House Committees on Health and Human Resources and unanimous off the Senate and House floor.
SB1080 defines acupuncture as a form of medicine, allows for physical examination, the utilization of labs and imaging studies, the prescribing of herbs, laser, nutritional substances, and injection.
Finally, it allows for the training and hiring of an acupuncture assistant who may remove needles and work under the direct supervision of an Acupuncturists.
Learn more by visiting: amaaz.org/2022/03/28/expanded-scope-signed-3-22-2022
Announced on March 30, 2022
No 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. While the Florida version does not affect acupuncture, the Federal law does.
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. For a definition of "Balance Billing" click here
Click Here to Register for a Webinar on the No Surprise Act - you will be sent the recordings and handout
CMS Form 1490S – What you need to know…Fact checking
FSOMA is aware of social media messaging that describes acupuncturists completing and providing a CMS Patient's Request for Medical Payment (Form 1490S) for patients who receive acupuncture services. The Association’s Board has asked the Florida Health Care Law Firm to provide guidance and feedback on the question of acupuncturists accepting and treating patients insured under original Medicare and the appropriateness of using CMS Form 1490S.
The question presented to the attorneys is whether an acupuncturist may provide original Medicare patients with a CMS Form 1490S and a superbill for the purpose of allowing those patients to submit the Form 1490S directly to Medicare for acupuncture service fee reimbursements.
12/15/21 University Hospitals' Connor Whole Health turns to acupuncture to successfully treat long COVID symptoms.
Data shows that more than 1 in 3 people end up with long COVID, as a multitude of symptoms like fatigue and brain fog stick around three to six months after illness.
 New York Review covers Classical Chinese Medicine by Liu Lihong.
FSOMA first reviewed this book in the Spring Journal. Click Here to read our review from a practitioner's point of view.
The New York Review is titled Chinese Medicine in the COVID Wards and is a pretty interesting read. It goes into the story of how Dr Lihong was able to start using acupuncture for COVID in Wuhan and goes into a lot of the history of Chinese medicine in China. There has been a struggle there for western medicine facilities and MDs to accept the value of TCM.
You can save money on this book by going here and buying it from Far East Summit, a popular vendor at FSOMA Conferences.
Dec 1, 2021 - Lynne Carol Sheppard, AP, DOM, 72, of Belleview, Florida passed away November 26, 2021, at Estelle’s Hospice House, Ocala, Florida surrounded by friends. She is survived by her brother Richard Terry, her sister Leslie Terry and Leslie’s daughter, Laura Backus and Laura’s daughters, Madeline and Charlotte. Lynne was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of the late Richard Sheppard and Patricia Terry.
Lynne was an Acupuncture Physician and Doctor of Oriental Medicine. After graduating from Florida School of Acupuncture (now Dragon Rises) in Gainesville, Florida, in 1997, she opened the Whole Health Institute in Belleview, Florida successfully caring for her patients until her retirement in 2021. She has resided in Marion County, Florida since 1976, and early on, was a successful horse trainer/riding instructor. She was a founding member of STRIDE (a local dressage club) along with her best friends, Jill and Dan Tallman. After seeing what acupuncture and homeopathy could do for her animals, (with animals there is no placebo effect), she realized it was time for a career change and decided to help people with the same amazing medicine and results. Even though Lynne changed her career path from animals to people, she never gave up her love of working with animals and continued to support animal rescue shelters across the state. She worked with Great Dane Rescue of Florida for many years and supported the big cat rescue whenever possible. Lynne will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of calling her Physician and friend. A celebration of life will be held for Lynne in the near future.
“And if I go,
While you’re still here…
Know that I live on, vibrating to a different measure—
Behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me, so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
Both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart
…I will be there.”
(-Colleen Hitchcock)
Training for the Fly In from Judy Chu's Office
AcuCongress Training Session 3: DISTRICTS
Watch the replay now:
Founder of Chinese Auricular Acupuncture Passes Away
Dr. Li-Chun Huang, MD. World-renowned doctor in Auricular Medicine Passed away on October 21, 2021 in Alabama, United States at the age of 84. She was revered worldwide for her auricular acupuncture system. The acupuncture profession mourns her passing.
She published over 20 books on Auricular Medicine which were translated into both English and Spanish.
Click Here for a YouTube video of her and Dr. William S. Huang, O.M.D.
Insurance Billing Coding Update
You have to add a 0 to ICD-10 code M54.5 to get paid now. Every year, CMS publishes updates to the ICD-10 manual. This August, CMS published its latest round of ICD-10 changes (which it does yearly) It has deleted ICD-10 code M54.5, low back pain, effective October 1, 2021.
That means providers cannot use M54.5 to specify a diagnosis on or after October 1 — and existing patients with the M54.5 diagnosis will need to be updated to a valid ICD-10 code. This is one of the most billed codes for pain.
These are the codes replacing it
M54.50 Low back pain, unspecified
M54.51 Vertebrogenic low back pain – that is pain specifically from the vertebrae or spine
M54.59 Other low back pain
New Blog Post on Networking
Click Here
September 28, 2021
Lillian Pearl Bridges has passed away on September 26, 2021, Sunday morning at 12:22 am, surrounded by her sons and so much love. - Kelsey Lesefko, Lillian's Daughter-In-Law
Lillian Pearl Bridges was the world’s leading authority on Face Reading and Diagnosis. She is credited for bringing this body of ancient knowledge back to the field of Chinese Medicine and introducing it to Western Medicine and Business. She has nearly 30 years of experience in speaking and teaching to Complimentary and Allopathic Doctors, Acupuncturists and other Natural Health Practitioners, CEO’s and Executive Management Teams. She had developed a Golden Path Program to help her ...
To show additional support, you can purchase Lilian's books here:
New ADA Compliance Resource Page added for members
Important Updates for Health Care Providers Regarding Expiration of Emergency Orders
July 1, 2021
The American Herbal Products Association is holding a webinar on their process to standardize terminology for Hemp Products
Disappointing News
Governor DeSantis vetoes the Bodily Injury Bill
FYI BOA on Human Trafficking Classes
Query - Do students need to take the Human Trafficking class now before licensing or within a certain time frame of being licensed?
Response from Kama Monroe, JD - Board Executive Director - Nope. The human trafficking class was a one-time requirement for licensed acupuncturists and had to be taken by January 1, 2021. People licensed after January 1, 2021, are not subject to this requirement.
An update from Nevada on SB335 which we talked about in FSOMA News Brief 13. The bill has been sitting in the Senate Finance committee for weeks now and there doesn’t seem to be any momentum for it to move on to the second house, so we are pretty sure that it is going to die in the finance committee. It turned out to show a huge deficit for the first two years at minimum, so we have heard through back channels that the Governor would be unlikely to sign it even if it somehow managed to pass in the Assembly. So, for right now, it looks like we are well positioned to keep our board intact for the time being..
In late December 2020 in Ohio, language was added at the last minute to bill HB442 about occupational licenses that removed the Oriental Medicine License from regulation by the Medical Board and was signed into law by the governor. The Ohio Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is proposing legislation to correct this erroneous action.
Per MQA The Federal Government has opened several vaccination sites for the purpose of providing vaccinations to healthcare professionals. If you are a health care provider who needs a shot or know a colleague that needs one, these locations are open.
No Appointment necessary Most of the sites open 7a-7p and giving 3000 vaccinations per day
Gateway Mall
5200 Norwood Ave
Jacksonville, FL 32208
Valencia College - West Campus
1800 Kirkman Rd
Orlando, FL 32811
Tampa Greyhound Track
755 E. Waters Ave
Tampa, FL 33604
Miami-Dade Community College
11380 NW 27th Ave,
Miami, FL 33167
Healthcare personnel now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
Per Executive Order 21-47
Struggling with anxiety or depression?
Substance abuse threatening your license?
Go to the Wellbeing Resource Page for help.
Know Before You Go
Demand for the COVID-19 vaccine is far in excess of the supply the state has received so far. It is anticipated that additional supplies will be coming soon.
Florida has many sites that are providing COVID-19 vaccines, but supplies are limited and appointments may not be available at many of these sites. The state is prioritizing:
- Persons 65 years of age and older
- Health care personnel with direct patient contact
- Residents and staff of long term care facilities
- Persons deemed to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by hospital providers
Please be aware that some locations are only serving very specific populations, such as frontline health care workers.
Appointments may be required and vaccine availability will vary from day to day and week to week as we work to provide vaccines to the most vulnerable first.
https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/vaccines/vaccine-locator/
FSOMA requests Clarification on FL Shots and Acupuncture Physician Participation. Click Here to view the letter.
Notes on Ethics and the La
When faced with an ethical issue, whether in regards to your own practice or other practitioner’s practice, its okay to seek guidance in a confidential manner. Many providers are faced with ethical dilemmas and typically will overlook them as not to ruffle feathers, but at times reporting the dilemma might be required. For example, if a provider learns that another provider is acting below the acceptable standard of care, before filing a complaint with the Department of Health, first determine if you have first hand knowledge of the alleged acts. If not, you might not have to take any action. If a patient with first hand knowledge is asking for advice, then advising that patient to seek guidance from the Dept. of Health is likely your only required act. On the other hand, if the practitioner has first hand knowledge of another practitioner’s failure to practice within the accepted standard of care, then not only is it the right thing to do by reporting it, but also a legal requirement under Florida Law.
71% of your FSOMA dues in 2020 are tax deductible
Hemp and Supplement Licensing - If you have more than 12 linear feet of public retail space dedicated to supplements you must get a Retail Food Establishment Permit from the Department of Agriculture. Supplements stored in the employee section are not included. Click Here for More and to Apply.
Click Here to view the AHCA phone call on COVID-19. Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Rivkees provided details regarding availability and distribution information for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations.
Click Here to view the Fl Vaccination plan
Looks like L.Ac fall under Phase II and the timeline is dependent on dozens of variables, like vaccine availability, which vaccine is available, storage conditions, dispensing point, consumer willingness to receive vaccinations, vaccination waste levels, and new potential approved vacc’s being available, etc.
Update from FBI on Scam Phone Calls tp Healthcare Providers
This is a scam likely perpetrated by foreign criminal groups.
My research indicates that these scams (posing as a medical board official), with some variations on the theme, have been documented nationwide since the beginning of the year. On October 13, 2020, the FBI issued the attached bulletin concerning these scams.
Please let your members know that they should not respond to these individuals. If they already have, and suffered a loss, they should report the incident to their local law enforcement agency.
We at FDLE appreciate you bringing this situation to our attention
Click Here for Handout
Healthcare Professionals must take Human Trafficking by Jan 1, 2021. Click here for an upcoming class
Sept 15, 2020 Acupuncture Clinics are open statewide. Best practices include following the FDOH and CDC guidelines found on their respective websites. The weekly COVID-19 tele-meeting with Dr. Rivkees will be moved to meet once every two weeks on Tuesday’s at 5:30pm starting September 15, 2020. FSOMA encourages those with questions for the FDOH about practice requirements during COVID-19 to follow the process described for submitting requests to the FDOH in advance. The tele-meeting will no longer include an interactive option to ask questions live, nor will the call be recorded. At this time, there is no new information effecting Acupuncture practice to report. Please stay safe.
Dry Needling Update - Unfortunately the PTs were able to change their statute this year allowing them to practice dry needling. They had powerful friends in the legislature which made it impossible to block the bill but with the help of Senators Gayle Harrell and Ben Albritton we were able to ensure a higher level of training requirements, and protective language for the acupuncture profession
Palm Beach County orders have changed!! Acupuncturist may open - click here to view orderFSOMA is very aware that Palm Beach County has ordered “acupuncture venues” to close. We have once again been lumped together with “tatoo parlors, body piercing parlors, tanning and massage parlors”. https://discover.pbcgov.org/PDF/COVID19/PBC-EO-15.pdf
FSOMA is working through the county government to correct this as soon as possible. Even though we have been given a verbal statement from the general counsel of Florida that acupuncturists may perform services as long as they are medical services, the county orders are in effect.
Veterans’ Affairs Community Care Network
Galina Roofener shared these to links regarding icd11
https://icd.who.int
https://icd.who.int/docs/ICD-11%20Implementation%20or%20Transition%20Guide_v105.pdf
CDC Guidelines on Disinfecting Your Office
Update on Newest Changes to PPP Loan Forgiveness Rules
Update on FDA & Homeopathic Medicine
Safety Alerts on AIT Injectables
Newly Added on COVID page - The Treatment of COVID-19 with Chinese Medicine
New Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Signed into Law
5-19 FL DOH Answers Questions About Acupuncture and PPE
Here is an order from DOH extending temporary Telemedicine rules
Update on Pinellas County Local State of Emergency - the Governor's orders still apply!
DeSantis to reopen Florida incrementally
Clarification on Governor's Order
In accordance with Executive Order 20-72, healthcare practitioners' offices in the State of Florida are prohibited from providing any medically unnecessary, non-urgent, non-emergency procedures or surgeries which, if delayed, does not place a patient's immediate health, safety, or wellbeing at risk, or will, if delayed, not contribute to the worsening of a serious or life-threatening medical condition. Accordingly, all healthcare practitioners licensed in the State of Florida, including dentists, shall immediately cease performing these elective services.
Some APs report sending their landlord a note with a copy of the Governor's Executive Order saying they have been closed due to executive order and asking if they will have any special allowances during this crisis. You can request a forebearance or deferal on payments due, along with a pan for how you will eventually pay the rent or mortgage balance.
CHARMHealth is offering Free Telemedicine Account
They have taken steps to ensure that ALL current and NEW Telehealth customers will have unlimited and free access to Telehealth till July 2020.
In other words, Charm Health will waive Telehealth costs for all customers-- you will not pay extra for using Telehealth.
Governor Desantis Order as of 12 noon 3/23/2020
In accordance with Executive Order 20-72, healthcare practitioners' offices in the State of Florida are prohibited from providing any medically unnecessary, non-urgent, non-emergency procedures or surgeries which, if delayed, does not place a patient's immediate health, safety, or wellbeing at risk, or will, if delayed, not contribute to the worsening of a serious or life-threatening medical condition. Accordingly, all healthcare practitioners licensed in the State of Florida, including dentists, shall immediately cease performing these elective services.
While some specific examples of which procedures should be postponed are contained within Executive Order 20-72, licensed health care practitioners are tasked with exercising reasonable and appropriate professional judgment in evaluating their patients’ specific circumstances, overall health, and the medical necessity of any procedures performed. Therefore, the Executive Order explicitly leaves discretion on proceeding with procedures to the medical professional, based on his or her expertise and the specific factual situation of each patient. Only the medical professional can make that determination.
You must follow CDC Guidellines if you continue to provide in person treatment.
Acupuncture for Veterans - How to Get Involved and Get Paid for it
Webinar on Serving Veterans
Telemedicine Class
Information you can use today
Click here for a great class
CMS Update on Supervision Requirements for Medicare Acupuncture Coverage
FSOMA Statement on COVID-19
Coronavirus: Why You Must Act Now
Statistics on past pandemics and the strategy that works
From the ASA
Information Sheet on Corona Virus
Self Care is Important
2 US Goernmentt sites with information on Coronvirus
Information for HealthCare Professionals
What to do if you are Sick With Coronavirus
Did you see this? They are treating Coronavirus COVID-19 with TCM in China - click here
Be sure and check the Member Benefits page for information about the savings on disability plans.
23% of your FSOMA dues are tax deductible for 2019
Click here for a helpful article on tax preparation.
Looking for Classes on Medical Record Keeping?
Here are 2 great ones from FSOMA Business Members
Supporting the businesses that support us
Amy Sear - Practical Documentation offers 20% off to FSOMA members
Mori West - Examination & Bullet Proof Documentation offers $20 off on webinars
2020 FSOMACon
Medicare Approves Acupuncture for Low Back Pain
Click Here for the Memo
 FSOMA Members
10% Off Site Wide
Must be a member of the New Redwing Books mailing list.
No minimums
Click Here to Download the Exemption for CBD Sales
Click Here for information you need to know about selling CBD products in your clinic.
New laws effective 01/01/2020
Florida requires Licensed Acupuncturists offices to be Biomedical Waste Generators. The details vary by county. Here's more information.
Here is the link to find your county health department contact.
A route to “Reinstatement” is available from the NCCAOM. Information is available on the NCCAOM website athttps://www.nccaom.org/certification/reinstatement/. If you have more questions, you can email the Certification staff at [email protected].
FSOMA is pleased to share good news. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its Proposal Decision for including acupuncture benefits, SPECIFICALLY to treat chronic low back pain (cLBP), which meets CMS guidelines, in those people eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Please read the CMS Decision for full details – at least read the first few pages. 99% of the answers to your questions will be found there.
CMS has no direct way to include Licensed Acupuncturists under the list of approved Medicare providers. That requires separate action taken in Congress to open the Social Security Act and update the law. Congresswoman Judy Chu, of California has sponsored a bill during each session of Congress, for the past several years, to include Acupuncturists as Medicare providers; and she has done the same again this year. Her bill needs a lot of support and Florida could do more to help her find bill co-sponsors. \
CMS’s purpose in this decision is to provide acupuncture benefits and care to those who are Medicare/Medicaid eligible and in need of treatment for cLBP pain. This decision was made in a way that provides the most care to those in most need. It does not favor one provider type over another and since Acupuncturists are not currently Medicare providers, eligible acupuncturists must work under the direct supervision of MD, DO or NP. This most likely means that any Licensed Acupuncturist providing treatment for cLBP under Medicare will be either working in a physicians office or will have hired a MD, DO, or NP to supervise treatment of those patients in the L.Ac’s office. Other options likely exist, but these two seem most plausible.
So, no – as an acupuncturist you may not start treating Medicare patients and submitting claims to CMS with the expectation of being paid. That will not happen until Congress amends the existing law to recognize L.Ac’s as independent Medicare providers. Yesterday’s decision is a long-time coming – it’s not everything Acupuncturists want, so there is more we can do to elevate the profession.
Be well informed and passionate about this profession’s opportunities going forward. Pitch-in where you can…many hands make lighter work.
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-finalizes-decision-cover-acupuncture-chronic-low-back-pain-medicare-beneficiaries
https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/nca-decision-memo.aspx?NCAId=295
Save the Date
New laws effective 01/01/2020
Click Here to Download the Exemption for CBD Sales
Florida requires Licensed Acupuncturists offices to be Biomedical Waste Generators. The details vary by county. Here's more information.
Here is the link to find your county health department contact.
A route to “Reinstatement” is available from the NCCAOM. Information is available on the NCCAOM website athttps://www.nccaom.org/certification/reinstatement/. If you have more questions, you can email the Certification staff at [email protected].
Facial Acupuncture Certificate Class in January being offered in Ft Lauderdale and Tampa
If you Know a Veteran or Treat Veterans, please share this important information with them.
According to Humana Military Tricare - Hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol, or CBD oil is forbidden for use by any service members in any military branch. They may result in both a positive result in a drug test AND in legal action against the military member.
With the exception of Epidiolex, a medication used to control epileptic seizures, all other ingested products derived from cannabis are banned for any military service member.
Here's an article from military.com
Human Trafficking Classes
Harvey Kaltsas is offering a Human Trafficking class that meets the Florida State requirements.
He is offering FSOMA members a $5 rebate off the class.
Here's how to get the rebater
- Register for the class and pay for it. You can view it for free and pay to take the test.
- Send an e-mail to [email protected] letting him know you are a FSOMA member. Please copy in [email protected]g
From the FDA - Viatrexx Bio Incorporated Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Sterile Injectables Due to a Lack of Sterility Assurance
64B-9.008 Telehealth Practitioner Survey Procedures is no longer required
Welcome Our New Affiliate
Use Code FSOMAFREEGIFT to get free shipping and a FREE Magnetic Energy Bracelet
FSOMA Members can save 10%, click here for more
Healthy Line Products
Infrared Therapy Devices
Save Money, Support FSOMA
View All Our Affiliates Here
Hepatitis A Information
The Department of Health launched a series of informational resources for the general public on Hepatitis A activity. The Hepatitis A information line is available to the public to answer questions regarding Hepatitis A activity in Florida. The information line is available Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm EST during normal business hours. The toll free number is 1-844-CALL-DOH (844-225-5364). Please contact [email protected] for written questions from the public.
Alert for Health Care Providers
Click here for information on how to protect yourself from Hepatitis A
FSOMA's membership in the American Society of Acupuncturists gives you access to Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance through August 31, 2019. For more click here.
FSOMA Signs Affiliate Agreement with DHA Labs
Click here for more
E-News
Click here for the latest E-Newsletter
June 4, 2019 E-News
FSOMA Elections - Nominations are Open for Board of Directors
Deadline to nominate is June 25th.
Click here for more
Next FSOMA Board of Directors meeting is set for June 22, 2019 1pm-4pm. To listen in contact us
Love Your Practice is being rescheduled as a series of FREE webinars
Look for more information coming soon.
Pinellas County APs Take Action Read more here
"If you are not at the table, you are on the table"....Juhan Mixon, lobbyist
On May 21st we were at the table!
FSOMA is in Support of SB 540/HB 851 Human Trafficking Bill. Read more here.
2019-5-2
The non-opioid alternatives bill, HB 451, has passed and is headed to the Governor!
The Florida Department of Health will now be required to develop and distribute an educational pamphlet regarding the use of non-opioid alternatives to treat pain. Furthermore, based on the work of the acupuncture associations and the chiropractors and others (conservative care first coalition) the bill also requires that health providers must discuss non-opioid alternatives with a patient before prescribing an opioid. The proposal is intended to help reduce the number of drug overdoses, which have been steadily increasing and are now the leading cause of death in the U.S. The bill is now headed to DeSantis!
2019-4-8 Legislative Update
We have language to HB 451- Non opioid Alternatives sponsored by Representative Plakon that directs the Department of Health to develop and publish on its website an educational pamphlet regarding the use of non-opioid alternatives to treat pain.
The bill requires that a health care practitioner discuss non-opioid alternatives including acupuncture with a patient prior to prescribing an opioid. The Senate companion, SB 630 Non opioid Directives by Senator Perry, was heard today in Health Policy Committee and includes acupuncture as one of the non opioid alternatives, so now we are in both the House and Senate bills.
HB 451 is ready to be considered on the House floor and could be passed soon. SB 630 still has two more committee stops before it will be eligible to be heard on the Senate Floor.
We Now Have our Own BLS Occupation Code
The acupuncture profession was awarded our own BLS occupation code last year. It is 29-1199.01. It is important to use this code when you file your tax returns so the growth of the acupuncture profession can be tracked. Click here for more
Great News!! We've gotten some help with paying some of the legal bills from the Dry Needling Court Case. Read here in FloridaPolitics.com what the judge said on 2/26/2019. His ruling determined that, in Florida, dry needling is Acupuncture and the Board of PT cannot make a rule allowing PTs to practice it
Your Action is Needed. 30% of Florida Legislators are NEW this year. It's time to introduce yourself. Ask them to support FSOMA's bills in the House and Senate which ask that insurance cover alternative therapy as a first tier approach to chronic pain Click Here for resources to talk to your legislators.
Dry Needling - An Administrative Court has ruled in our favor Read Entire Judgement Here
Events
Save the Date Date: October 25-27, 2019
International Speaker Mary Elizabeth Wakefield is coming to Florida
Constitutional Facial Acupuncture: The New Protocols
Click here for more & to register
Boardf Acupuncture Meetings
Go to the Florida Board of Acupuncture Website for the agenda and exact location of each meeting.
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2019 FSOMA Conference Registration is Open
