Laws unfairly place limit on integrative therapies

By Ira Zunin

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Mar 10, 2012

~~<p>Hawaii has a long-standing tradition of insurance coverage for injured workers and those involved in automobile accidents that includes acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy and massage therapy. More than 70 percent of workers' injuries and the majority of complaints among those involved in motor vehicle accidents are musculoskeletal in nature. These services can offer substantial support toward the resolution of such pain and suffering in combination with or, at times, instead of modern medical care. Tens of thousands of research studies have been done to evaluate clinical outcomes from such care options, and responsible guidelines can be derived from this information. All four of these professions have Hawaii state boards that provide licensure and monitor scope of practice.</p>
<p>Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which pays for medical care after a motor vehicle accident, underwent substantial reform in the state Legislature during the late '90s. In part, based on perceptions of abuse by the chiropractic profession, a bill was passed mandating that for all PIP policies the total maximum combined number of visits offered by acupuncture, chiropractic and naturopathy be capped at 30. The bill further mandated that all PIP carriers pay a maximum of $75 per visit for all three professions. No provisions were made for cost-of-living increases. What police officer, what teacher, what office worker would continue to work for 12 to 15 years without any cost-of-living increase, let alone additional compensation for longevity and performance?</p>
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Hawaii has a long-standing tradition of insurance coverage for injured workers and those involved in automobile accidents that includes acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy and massage therapy. More than 70 percent of workers' injuries and the majority of complaints among those involved in motor vehicle accidents are musculoskeletal in nature. These services can offer substantial support toward the resolution of such pain and suffering in combination with or, at times, instead of modern medical care. Tens of thousands of research studies have been done to evaluate clinical outcomes from such care options, and responsible guidelines can be derived from this information. All four of these professions have Hawaii state boards that provide licensure and monitor scope of practice.

Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which pays for medical care after a motor vehicle accident, underwent substantial reform in the state Legislature during the late '90s. In part, based on perceptions of abuse by the chiropractic profession, a bill was passed mandating that for all PIP policies the total maximum combined number of visits offered by acupuncture, chiropractic and naturopathy be capped at 30. The bill further mandated that all PIP carriers pay a maximum of $75 per visit for all three professions. No provisions were made for cost-of-living increases. What police officer, what teacher, what office worker would continue to work for 12 to 15 years without any cost-of-living increase, let alone additional compensation for longevity and performance? Login for more...