The Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC) is launching a strategic state-by-state campaign to support the correct implementation of Section 2706 of the Affordable Care Act in 2013.
Section 2706 prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against health care providers relative to their participation and coverage in health plans, thereby encouraging the full utilization of healthcare providers and reduction in costs for patient care.
The Honorable Deborah Senn, JD (former State of Washington Insurance Commissioner) is representing IHPC’s regulated CAM and IHC practitioner constituency and by extension patients and consumers of healthcare in a strategically constructed state-by-state plan of action. Ms. Senn’s highly regarded expertise in health care and insurance reform is coupled with the IHPC’s Partners for Health commitment to have a strong voice during the implementation process of Section 2706 in 2013.
“Because of Section 2706 of the ACA, over the next 12 months, we have an unparalleled opportunity to incorporate integrative healthcare practitioners into the payor system and make patient access to those practitioners across the country a happy reality.” - Deborah Senn, JD
Funding for the launch of the campaign and Ms. Senn’s involvement has come from generous support from the chiropractic community with additional funding expected soon from the other licensed disciplines and integrative healthcare supporters and stakeholders.
IHPC will be a National Clearinghouse and information channel for its membership base and integrative healthcare
community nationally, while on a state level our actions will include interfacing with State Associations, State Insurance Commissioners and Directors of Exchanges with proposals, white papers and an informational kit. This will include “lessons learned” seminars and sharing of best practices of disciplines and organizations in working in their states.
Grass roots advocacy efforts targeting both patients and practitioners are currently in play. Additionally, IHPC will
engage the Medical Homes and coding and reimbursement aspect of the 2706 implementation.
The Partners for Health is the consensus voice of 14 healthcare organizations including the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) and the MD-led integrative pain organization, the American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM). It’s base is the organizations and educational institutions representing the 375,000 licensed, whole person-oriented integrative healthcare disciplines including the American Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM), the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), the American Institute of Homeopathy (AIH), the National Center for Homeopathy (NCH), the National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM), the American Massage Therapy Association, (AMTA), the Naturopathic Medical Student Association (NMSA) and Life University, Bastyr University and Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research. IHPC’s Policy Council members include the Chanda Plan Foundation and Double Helix Water.
For more information, please contact:
Alyssa Wostrel, Executive Director, IHPC
awostrel@ihpc.org or 202-505-IHPC (4472)