Copied from a Notice in the Head Librarians Email Today: The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (collectively the Departments) have issued an invitation for public comment regarding 2706, the non-discrimination clause in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). We have a responsibility to ensure the benefits afforded to us here in WA are extended to other massage therapists across the country, and to protect the benefits of non-discrimination here in the WA. The AMTA-WA Board of Directors needs you to ACT NOW! Section 2706 is in jeopardy. The Departments published FAQs that basically told insurance companies how to get around the non-discrimination clause of the ACA that went into effect in January of 2014. The Senate Committee on Appropriations issued a report last year directing the Departments to correct the FAQs to reflect the law and the Congressional intent. This never happened. The Departments are seeking comment, hoping for support to ignore the Congressional directive. It is imperative that we speak loudly and clearly, stating our support of the Congressional directive. If Section 2706 is not enforced, our ability to bill for our patients massage therapy could be threatened. We cannot risk losing our relationships with referring healthcare providers and our patients ability to seek reimbursement for our services. Please go to the website and comment on the importance of Section 2706 to massage therapists here in WA. We have provided language to cut and paste, or you may craft your own comment. This is a critical opportunity to stand up for the rights of massage therapists here in WA and across the country. Deadline is TOMORROW June 10th, 9:00pm Pacific time. This will only take 10 minutes of your time. Sincerely, Marybeth Berney AMTA Washington Chapter President regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=CMS-2014-0033-0001 2. Click on the blue Comment Now! button (top right of screen) 3. Copy and paste the text below in the Comment section, then send Copy and Paste Text Below ------------------------------------------------ As a massage therapist in the State of WA, I urge the Departments to correct the FAQs regarding Section 2706 to reflect the law and Congressional intent. I strongly agree that insurers should be made aware of their obligation under section 2706, and that the law be strictly enforced. In Washington State, we have had a Non-Discrimination Statute (RCW 48.43.045 and WAC 284-43-204) protecting every category of provider since 1997. According to the research, fears that this statute would raise costs never came to fruition. In fact, there were cost savings: people who used CAM services had lower insurance expenditures than those who did not use CAM. See links below. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23132198 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3110809 In addition to cost savings, there was an increase in patient satisfaction and a decrease in the use of pain medications. See links below. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11452569 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20180688 suggesting that the use of CAM services is critical to achieving the Triple Aim measures. Section 2706 has the ability to help meet the demands of the Triple Aim: • Cost efficiency • Patient satisfaction • Improved Health Outcomes In addition, massage therapy plays an essential role in meeting the demands of the Triple Aim and should be specifically included in the insurance marketplace in healthcare reform, as evidenced by the 995 research citations listed in the Essential Health Benefits document, put forth by the AMTA-WA. See link below. amta-wa.org/summaryofevidence In summary, I support the Congressional directive to the Departments to correct the FAQs to reflect the law and enforce Section 2706.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 19:19:52 +0000
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