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From the Chair
Dear Colleagues,
I am thrilled to share several exciting updates and extend heartfelt congratulations and warm welcomes to our dedicated members and partners.
Congratulations to Charis Wolf and Ross McCallum! We are delighted to announce that Charis Wolf from Washington State and Ross McCallum from Oregon have been newly elected to the ASA Board of Directors. Their exceptional expertise and passion for advancing our field make them invaluable additions to our board. We look forward to their innovative ideas and leadership as we continue to work together to elevate the practice of acupuncture and enhance our professional community.
Welcome to the Georgia Association of Acupuncture and Asian Medicine! We are pleased to welcome the Georgia Association of Acupuncture and Asian Medicine as our newest full voting member of the ASA. This addition strengthens our national network and enriches our collective efforts to promote and support the practice of acupuncture across the country. We look forward to the contributions and perspectives that Georgia will bring to our organization.
Exciting News About the 2025 ASA Conference! We are also thrilled to announce that the ASA Conference will be held April 25-28, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia, so please save the date! This year’s conference is particularly special as we will be celebrating the ASA’s 10th anniversary! We invite you all to join us for a memorable event filled with learning, networking, and celebration. For more details, please refer to the newsletter article by LiMing Tseng, our ASA Conference Chair.
ASA has been formally accepted to the NCCIH Coalition! Finally, the ASA is excited to announce our acceptance into the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Coalition for Whole Person Health. Please read all the details about what this means in Charis Wolf’s newsletter article.
As you can read, it’s been an exciting month at the ASA celebrating all these milestones! Thank you for your ongoing support and if you haven’t already, please join your state association so we can continue to move the profession forward!
Best,
Olivia
The Latest – What the ASA Committees are doing right now
Advocacy Committee – Chair, Jennifer Broadwell
Register for the ASA Town Hall webinar:
New Federal Impacts on Acupuncture Business
Wed. September 18, 2024 – 8pmET/7pmCT/6pmMT/5pmPT
1 PDA for all registrants who attend
Sponsored by American Society of Acupuncturists
Did You Know:
- Federal business law now requires acupuncture practices and other businesses to file “beneficial ownership information (“BOI”) ?
- Federal Trade rules have been changed to bar some employers from enforcing “non-compete” agreements ?
- HIPAA Privacy rules have new protections for women, family members, and doctors seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating lawful reproductive health care ?
Join Us and Learn More
At this Town Hall webinar you’ll hear summaries of these mandates, how they may impact your practice, and the latest news on legal challenges. ASA Attorney John P. Murdoch II, Esq. will present the information to us, and answer questions. Mr. Murdoch currently Chairs the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Business Law Section.
NCCAOM is offering 1 PDA Point in Ethics for attendees.
Learn more and register here: https://asacu.org/event/upcoming-webinar-new-legal-developments-affecting-acupuncture-practices/
Conference Committee – Chair, LiMing Tseng
Please save the date of April 26-27, 2025 for the ASA 2025 Annual Conference: Cultivating our Future Together! In addition to educational conference courses and networking opportunities, we will be celebrating ASA’s 10th Anniversary. We look forward to seeing you at the Renaissance Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA in 2025!
Governance Committee – Chair, David Bock
The Governance Committee is in a rebuilding phase. We are evaluating priorities of various projects involving the policies and procedures of the ASA. If anyone has comments or concerns about how the organization is structured or run please let us know. We are also looking for more committee members. We need people who have good writing skills and can be detail oriented yet relaxed about how we get things done.
Herbal Medicine Committee- Chair, Linda Robinson-Hidas
The Herbal Medicine Committee continues to enjoy visits from prospective new members and would like to encourage interested individuals to submit an application with the nominating committee. We are looking to expand the committee to allow some very long term members to step down.
We are working on a Best Practices Document that will provide guidelines for credentialing Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM) practitioners by hospitals and will also provide best practices for individual practitioners.
Meanwhile please feel free to use both About Herbs documents in your practice. There is one for patients and one for health care providers.
https://www.asacu.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/About-Herbal-Medicine-Handout.pdf
https://www.asacu.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/About-Herbal-Medicine-Professional-Handout-Final.pdf
Insurance Committee – Chair, Mori West
The insurance committee is hard at work. We have sent letters out to VA asking for clarification on billing for cupping. Previous codes 97039, 97039, unlisted codes used for cupping have now been removed from the recent SEOC. We believe we are to assume, (but our Mom’s told us never to assume) that providers are to use 97016, a code for vaso-pneumatic devices used for extremity swelling. Cupping is used throughout the body and not necessarily for the extremities. We will report back as soon as we have more information.
Medicaid Committee – Chair, Amy Mager
The Medicaid Committee continues to move forward with the folking goals: 1. To educate providers, regulators and legislators about acupuncture and its cost effective evidence based non-opioid treatment for pain, PTSD and other symptoms. 2. To support any ASA state organization seeking to become providers under Medicaid to have support and tools to do so. 3. To continue to advance our Medicine and be ambassadors for our Medicine and why it matters to be involved in Medicaid programs.
Please please be on the lookout for an upcoming webinar clarifying the differences between Medicare and Medicaid!
For more information, you can reach out directly to
or to one of our committee members: Jared West, Denise Tyson, Joe Pandolfo, Beth Howlett, Tuesday Wasserman and Laura Ocker
Membership/Benefits Committee – Chair, Grace Ouchida
We are very pleased that Yo San University has joined the ASA as one of our school Supporters!
Be sure to check out ASA’s Member Benefits here. We’ve added discounts and will be adding more in the next few months. If you would like to help in our efforts, consider joining our Committee!
Nominating Committee: Chair, Alexandra Russell
We are accepting applications for the ASA Governance, Herbal Medicine, and Membership Committees. Use this form to apply for a committee position!
We also invite candidates for ASA Board of Directors – Read this to learn about BOD Positions and how to apply
Reach out anytime with questions ~
Research Committee – Chair, Lisa Conboy
We had a great month in welcoming new member Lucy Pauseback and her enthusiasm to support research and clinical work in the application of acupuncture in cancer treatment. In other news we are working on a second paper about ASA with colleagues from other committees. Next month stay tuned as we will be announcing a streamlined way for other committees to ask for our help in gathering supportive research.
Social Media Committee – Chair, Louis Jin
On Aug 15, the committee had a brainstorm session laying out a framework for an ever-changing ASA Social Media calendar that will be fine-tuned and distributed to all state association Social Media chairs. These will include current news,PR, events of ASA and its national partners, local/state regulation/scope updates, national advocacy for HR3133 (which the numbers will soon change due to new congress in Jan of 2025), The Pulse of ASA members, and monthly health-related awareness advocacies, among other items. In the meantime, we will continue to support various types of ASA internal and external communications (list-serves, social media accounts) by highlighting accomplishments of various committees and their leaders, and being transparent in direct communications with our stakeholders.
Strategic Planning Committee – Chair, Candace Sarges
We have launched a survey for all the ASA dues paying members in furtherance of our Board Governance and Leadership training initiative. The survey takes only a few minutes though some information gathering may be necessary. The survey will close on September 6th, so please submit your survey and information as soon as possible and be on the lookout for our next update! Looking forward to some exciting changes!
Website Committee – Chair, Jeff Bloom
We are pleased to inform you that over the next few months, MacDragon will be upgrading the server that hosts our websites. This enhancement is part of the ongoing commitment to providing us with the highest quality service.
Server Upgrade Details:
With these server upgrades, there will be a few changes that may require some attention. Specifically, if the domain name currently uses an A Record to connect to your hosting account, this record will need to be updated. MacDragon will provide the necessary information and assistance to ensure this transition is smooth.
Potential Contact During the Process:
If your domain name is hosted elsewhere, or if your account requires two-factor authentication for access, MacDragon may need to contact you during this upgrade process. They will reach out promptly if any action is required on your part.
Email Accounts:
If you are using a POP3 or third-party connection (such as Apple Mail, Outlook, Google) either on your phone, computer, or tablet, please note that you may need to update your connection settings to continue receiving emails. MacDragon will be available to assist you with this process, should you require any help.
Pricing Information:
At this time, there will be no changes to our hosting fees.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to
.
ASA Joint developments
New Legal Developments Affecting Acupuncture Practices – WEBINAR
Presented on Behalf of the American Society of Acupuncturists (“ASA”)
September 18, 2024 8pmE/7pmC/6pmM/5pmE
By ASA Attorney – John P. Murdoch II, Esq.
What you will learn:
Corporate Transparency Act
The CTA requires all companies in the United States (including, without limitation, any acupuncture practices formed as an LLC, corporation, or other entity) created or registered to do business before January 1, 2024, will have until January 1, 2025 to file its initial “beneficial ownership information (“BOI”). Any companies created or registered on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2025, will have ninety (90) calendar days after receiving notice of the company’s creation or registration to file its initial BOI report. The attendees will receive a brief overview of the CTA, information as to how to obtain additional information, and information as to how to proceed with making the required filings with the federal government.
Federal Trade Commission’s Rule Banning Non-Competes
The Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC”)’s new rule essentially bans most non-compete agreements with employees. The attendees will learn the extent of the ban as well as the exceptions. The attendees will also learn about the current status of the challenges to this rule.
HIPAA Rule Change Regarding Reproductive Health Care
HIPAA Rules concerning reproductive health care. Attendees will be provided with an overview of the reasons for the new rule and specific compliance requirements will also be discussed.
Register Now
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4542015904346896473
ASA accepted into the NCCIH Coalition for Whole Person Health
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has initiated a Coalition for Whole Person Health to bring multidisciplinary medical professionals together in order to further raise awareness around the NCCIH and research in support of integrated, patient centered, whole person care. As acupuncture is highly researched and becoming increasingly popular, the ASA believes it is important for our profession to have a voice at the national level and a presence to promote our system of medicine. We are very happy to announce that due to our involvement and contributions to NCCIH goals and strategic plans, the ASA has been accepted as a member of the Coalition for Whole Person Health! To find out more about this meaningful and impactful role our profession will be taking on, please visit NCCIH Coalition. We are very much looking forward to working with medical professionals across the country and demonstrating that Acupuncturists are valued leaders and partners in our healthcare system.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Standard Occupational Classifications Revision
The Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (AHM) coalition (CCAHM, ACAHM, NCCAOM, ASA) came together to answer the request from the BLS for any revisions to the current definitions for our registered profession. Acupuncturists became a registered profession for the first time in 2018. The AHM coalition worked for two months to review the current BLS information and expand upon it with research done by NCCAOM, ASA, and the review team in order to provide best evidence for an expansion of our definition to include broader aspects of both our traditional medical knowledge and our biomedical knowledge as integral to our medical practice. This is a multi-year process with the final publication coming out in 2028. We will keep our professional community informed with any further developments. This project has also served as a catalyst in unifying our profession in mutual support of our many institutions in order to clarify and promote what we do as Acupuncturists and Herbal Medicine practitioners, working to be inclusive of our past and supportive of our future.
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Join Yo San University for two days of learning and networking at their annual Integrated Clinical Medicine Symposium! This live webinar features expert speakers covering a wide range of topics from oncology care to pediatrics, acupuncture, herbal formulas and more.
Learn More: ceu.yosan.edu
Save The Date: https://asacu.org/
State Association Updates
California CSOMA
***Early Bird Ends September 12 ***
Dates & Times: September 26 & 27 (Thurs 9-4:15 & Fri 8:15-3:30)
Speakers & Topics: (see schedule & details here)
- Dr. Jenny Nieters, LAc DACM: Posture and Acupuncture
- Susan Johnson, LAc: Migraines Are Easy!
- Andrew Ellis: Some Thoughts on the Treatment of Pain in Chinese Medicine
- Matthew Bauer, LAc, Dipl. O.M.:Five Point Nerve Regeneration Peripheral Neuropathy Protocol: A Simple Formula to High Success Rates Backed by Science
CEUs: 10 CAB-Approved (no NCCAOM)
Pricing & Registration: $100 per day – Early Bird thru 9/12.
Single Day Option? Yes!
Live Zoom? Sorry. In-Person Only!
Where: Oakland Endowment Center (2000 Franklin Street Oakland, CA 94612)
*** FREE lunch & hot beverages, t-shirt, raffle prizes, and, best of all? COMMUNITY! ***
Connecticut
Our State legislative primaries are over and election day is approaching. Upon post-election assignments of key legislative committee chairs and members, we’ll be working with our lobbyist to line up communications and meetings on our 2025 session priorities, including getting L.Acs into the next round of Medicaid fee schedule updates (part of an overall Medicaid practitioners fee increase program), participating with the Governor’s Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, and requesting L.Ac inclusion in the telehealth mandate.
We’re also proud to have our CT Board member Matt Maneggia nominated and elected to serve on ASA’s Nominating Committee. Among his other contributions, Matt helps our CT members troubleshoot when there are carrier payment anomalies especially with respect to the State employee and retiree plans. Thank you Matt!
Hawaii
Hawaii Acupuncture Medicine Association (HAMA) is excited to announce that our 2024 Annual Meeting will be held on October 13th at 10:00 am. The meeting will be online and is open to both HAMA members and non members.
HAMA Board members Denice Murphy, MSOM, LAc. and Becky Jacobs, DACM, DAc. will be attending a Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO) event. HANOCON is Hawaiʻi’s largest annual gathering of nonprofit professionals to learn, network, share ideas, partner, and collaborate. The conference theme is I ka wā ma mua, i ka wā ma hope. The time before us, the time after us. The future is found in the past. The HANOCON theme for 2024 feels like it was created for the acupuncture profession both in Hawaii and nationally. We look forward to this opportunity with gratitude and open minds.
Maine 
Two goals for Maine Acupuncture Society are to fill all of our Board positions and to have 3 in-person events per year. We happily welcomed Bonnie Freitas in July who stepped into the role of Secretary, and we are in the planning stages for a CEU event in November.
Massachusetts
The Acupuncture Society of Massachusetts welcomes all to attend our annual meeting and class for connection, growth and to earn 8 CEU’s!
Come learn with Dr. Joe Audette and Sam Collins.
https://mailchi.mp/acusocietyma/annual-mtg-top-5-reasons-810-188987
New Hampshire
Reflecting on Our Recent Gathering and Looking Ahead
Our last in-person social gathering in Portsmouth was a big hit! Attendees enjoyed a delightful meal and engaging conversations while taking in the beautiful waterfront views. It was a truly memorable afternoon for everyone.
Upcoming Election and Annual Meeting
As we move forward, our current focus is on the upcoming election and annual meeting.
ELECTION: This year, three spots are open for election to the NHAAMA Board. It is vitally important that these seats are filled, as NHAAMA serves as the advocate for the acupuncture license in New Hampshire. The individuals who have served over the past four years can hardly imagine what our profession would look like in the state without this organization. Your participation is crucial to keeping NHAAMA strong. Whether you step up to share your leadership skills or nominate someone you trust to represent you, your involvement is invaluable.
The elected nominees will serve for two consecutive years, from November 2024 to October 2026. Roles within the board include president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and member-at-large, which are determined by the newly formed board during their first meeting after the Annual Meeting. The board convenes twice quarterly via an online platform—once for a board meeting and once for a members meeting. Additionally, the group meets in person for a social event once a quarter, with the possibility of additional meetings depending on legislative needs. Beyond advocacy, serving on the board is a fantastic way to connect with acupuncturists across the state and promote our profession in a meaningful way.
Nominations must be submitted by September 8, 2024, to be included on the official ballot. If you are nominated, the Elections Coordinator will contact you to confirm your interest and request a short statement for the ballot.
ANNUAL MEETING: We are thrilled to have welcomed several new members recently and look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces at our Annual Meeting on the afternoon of October 20th.
This year, we are excited to offer two great raffle prizes and will host a guest speaker who will share insights on an herbal product line with decades of proven safety and efficacy. This product line offers practitioner support across a range of products addressing common patterns.
Let’s continue to build our community and strengthen our profession together.
After a well-deserved break over the summer, the NHAAMA board is re-energized and ready to advocate for our profession as we head into the fall.
New York
ASNY President Beth Nugent attended a meeting with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office, along with our lobbyists from Schenker, Russo and Clark. We are very happy to announce that the Senator will be introducing a Senate version of a bill that mirrors HR3133, Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act. This is a huge leap forward in including acupuncturists in Medicare. A big thank you to the Senator for being a proponent of our profession.
Henry McCann will be teaching Fundamentals of Acupuncture Points: Integrating Tung’s Acupuncture and Classical Principles for ASNY on Sunday, September 29th at PAcific College of Health and Science in New York City. https://asny.org/events/#!event/2024/9/22/tung-style-pain-management-with-dr-henry-mcann-dipl-om-lac Members of state organizations receive a 10% discount, please reach out to
for details!
On August 25th we gathered in McCarren Park in Brooklyn for an ASNY picnic! We had good food, perfect weather and excellent company. Thank you to Kamwo, Lhasa and Health Concerns for providing swag for attendees!
Oregon
The Oregon Association of Acupuncturists has been busy gearing up for next year’s legislative long session and working closely with candidates that are facing an election year.
- Met with and voted to endorse 5 candidates this year; incumbents Ben Bowman and Courtney Neron and candidates Austin Daniel, Anthony Broadman, and Lisa Fragala.
- Working with the Oregon Medical Association in a coalition to draft a bill to fight the high administrative burdens caused by prior authorization requirements.
- Working with the House Chair of the Behavioral Health and Healthcare Committee and behavioral healthcare professionals to draft a legislative concept that will create a provider relations person within Oregon Health Authority to work with public health plans and the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) for private plans, to have agency to enforce laws and rules which apply to the medical industry and to act as a moderator for insurance/provider contract issues
In addition our membership drive was successful bringing in 30 new members! Our Research Committee continues to revise the literature review for the Oregon Health Evidence Review Commission in order to help guide the future changes that will take place to the Oregon Health Plan, including getting rid of the condition prioritization list. Members of the OAA will attend the Oregon Coordinated Care Organization conference on Oct 2nd to meet with key organizations, legislators and other key stakeholders who will shape the future of medicaid within Oregon.
Pennsylvania
The Association for Professional Acupuncture in Pennsylvania and China Herb Seminars presents:
Ophthalmology Intensive
Presented by Cara O. Frank, L.OM. Dipl. OM
CA Provider #1771 NCCAOM Provider #9210
Hybrid Format – In-Person or Distance Learning Opportunity
Join us for this highly practical lecture that will cover the diagnosis and treatment with Chinese Herbal Medicine of four common eye diseases encountered in clinical practice:
Eye Anatomy and Diagnosis: Understanding the Five Wheels of the Eye
Open Angle Glaucom
Cataracts
Conjunctivitis: acute, chronic and vernal
Styes: Hordeola and Chalazia
Learn from subject matter expert Cara O. Frank, the co-author of TCM Case Studies: Eye Ear Nose and Throat Disorders. You’re promised a greater depth of knowledge than can be found elsewhere.
Register at https://www.apapenn.com/event/ophthalmology-intensive-7-pda-nccaom/
The APA is pleased to welcome Suzanne Landis, DAc, LAc as our newest board member. We’re happy to have you!
HB 1490, Modernizing the Acupuncture License is now 2024 Act 38. Regulations will be written detailing the new requirements for continuing education and the APA is monitoring the progress and is ready to advise the subcommittee as needed.
Tennessee
The board met on 8/12/2024 to discuss an annual membership meeting in 2025. We hope to have the details released soon. We are in the process of switching out our ASA Alternate Rep. TAC is looking forward to our new website to be completed soon. We are in the process of accepting TAC Board applicants. If you are interested in joining the board please email a current resume to
.
Next meeting is 9/9/2024.
Texas
- TAAOM is currently in the final phase of determining who will win the bid for the development, redesign and host for its website. MacDragon is among a handful of finalists.
- TAAOM’s annual members meeting will be held in a hybrid form between 10a-2p CST, Sunday. Sept 9, 2024. In-person meeting is at American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine campus, 9100 Park W Dr, Houton, TX 77063 For others, they can visit
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83298004902?pwd=b8QHaUBrOFLIWwZuzzb0XsV3q6f7XY.1
Meeting ID: 832 9800 4902
Passcode: 357535
- TAAOM is also in the process of accepting new applicants to the BOD and its committees, specific membership and advocacy committees. If you are interested in joining either, please email a current resume and letter of intent to
Vermont
Our upcoming annual meeting is on Saturday, October 26th – just over the river at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire! Our morning session is dedicated to VTAA member business, but the afternoon is a CEU class that is open to any EAM provider or student. Hope you might join us!
TREATING LONG COVID WITH CHINESE MEDICINE by Brendan Kelly, M.Ac., L.Ac.
Saturday, October 26, 2024 • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST • In-person only
Optional Information session following from 4 – 5 pm on the ‘Long COVID Grant’
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center • 1 Medical Center Dr, Lebanon, NH 03766
FREE to VTAA members, $100 for licensed EAM providers, $25 for EAM students
To register for this event, go to www.VTAA.org
Questions? Email
Washington
It has been a very busy Summer for acupuncturists in Washington state. We are delighted to announce that acupuncture treatments are now more accessible than ever before. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has recently expanded its coverage to include chronic migraine headaches, effective September 1, 2024. They have also extended the initial number of visits to 24 treatments instead of the previous 10 visits. Maximum of 48 units per claim. This is due to the work that WAEMA did on our members behalf with the Health Technology Assessment Committee to provide evidence for treating chronic migraine headaches with acupuncture.
Starting January 1st, 2025 the WA State Health Care Authority will start a new benefit for Medicaid that allows acupuncturists to bill for services directly. This means more access for underserved patients and more avenues for Washington acupuncturist’s practice.
We are also excited to announce that ultrasound-guided needling techniques ARE part of our scope of practice! Much gratitude to former WAEMA board member Susan Shultz. She asked for clarification during an Acupuncture Advisory Council meeting and the Assistant AG agreed, the use of ultrasound-guided needling is within our scope. We believe the use of ultrasound visualization will revolutionize pain management and acupuncture practice.
Wisconsin
- WISCA has been working closely with Mac Dragon to assure the new website launch in a timely manner.
- WISCA annual meeting will be held on Oct 13th, 2024 in Milwaukee, WI. Dr. Xiping Zhou will gave us 4 CE seminar on Back- Shu and Front- Mu Tandem Needling Technique for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and holistic acupuncture strategy to treat Alzheimer’s and Dementia
- WISCA is in the process of accepting Board applicants (members at large). If you are interested in joining the board please email a current resume to .
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