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Leading Medical Organizations Urge Insurance for Non-Pharma/Integrative Pain Care

Non-Pharma Integrative Care | ABOIMIn March 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had a public comment period on its Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. For years, prescribing a variety of pain killers has been standard practice for managing chronic pain, and there’s no denying the efficacy of this treatment in certain instances. However, opioid addiction is a serious issue in the United States and there is a strong call for more non-pharmacological treatments as an alternative to opioids when possible. The CDC guidelines merely serve to “[improve] the way opioids are prescribed through clinical practice guidelines [to] ensure patients have access to safer, more effective chronic pain treatment.” However, one of the most compelling outcomes of this public comment period was the rising tide of leading medical organizations that began to call for an expansion of insurance coverage for treatments other than traditional pharmaceuticals.

One of the challenges that patients who suffer from chronic pain currently face is that the treatments covered by insurance remain relatively limited in scope. While compelling evidence suggests that complementary and alternative medicine may prove to be a viable – and non-habit-forming – option for those with chronic conditions, many patients are unable to take advantage of these forms of treatment because of a gap in their insurance coverage.

As the Medical Board of California (MBC) explains, this is particularly frustrating when the CDC’s own guidelines indicate that “many non-pharmacologic modalities are effective for the treatment/control of chronic pain,” but “the [draft] Guidelines fail to address the fact that many patients do not have access to these modalities, due to lack of insurance coverage or low availability.”

In short, insurance groups are strongly encouraged to expand their coverage umbrella to not only incentivize the use of pharmaceuticals but also acupuncture, massage therapy, osteopathic manipulation, yoga, and a variety of other proven treatments successfully utilized by Integrative Medicine physicians across the country.

At the American Board of Physician Specialties®, we developed the nation’s first Member Board dedicated to providing standardized board certification in Integrative Medicine, known as the American Board of Integrative Medicine® (ABOIM). Our Diplomates are leading voices in Integrative Medicine who specialize in helping their patients achieve optimal health through any and all means available, including complementary and alternative medicine.

To learn more about the ABOIM or the ABPS, contact us today.

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On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
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Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine
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