by Jane Anderson
Insurers seeking
non-opioid alternatives to treat chronic pain increasingly are opting to cover
acupuncture, despite scant medical evidence for its effectiveness. In many
cases, plans are classifying acupuncture benefits as part of their wellness
program instead of as medical benefits, and members don't need a diagnosis to
have sessions covered.
The acute need for
alternatives to opioids to treat chronic pain is a major reason for new
acupuncture coverage, insurers say, and acupuncture is also a member-pleasing
bonus.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Massachusetts (BCBSMA) will offer a new acupuncture benefit starting Jan. 1 for
all members except for those in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
According to Ken
Duckworth, M.D., medical director for behavioral health at BCBSMA, combating
opioid abuse isn’t the only rationale behind adding acupuncture as a benefit,
but "this could also be another step in helping to reduce the number of
inappropriate opioid prescriptions being written in Massachusetts."
Independence Blue Cross
began covering acupuncture in January, says Ginny Calega, M.D., vice president
of medical affairs. Acupuncture is a covered benefit for Independence
large-group commercial plans, she says. It can be used as part of a
comprehensive treatment plan for patients with chronic pain.
Cigna Corp., meanwhile,
will offer limited acupuncture sessions to select MA members beginning in 2020.
The insurer's rationale is different than reasons offered by Independence and
the Massachusetts Blues plan: it's hoping that the benefit could help lure
seniors who are on the fence about which MA plan to choose.
CMS also has proposed to
cover acupuncture, but only for fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries enrolled
in certain clinical trials.
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