At Raleigh Acupuncture we have patients come to us every day in desperate need of health care. They have tried regular doctors without success. Their medications have not worked. They are in pain and need relief. Most often acupuncture are able to help them. If we can’t, we refer them out to other alternative care facilities. The problem is that 90% of our patients are paying for healthcare out of pocket. Let people control healthcare dollars.
Our Healthcare System Is Broken
The healthcare system in America is in bad shape. Premiums are going up every year and benefits are going down. Many plans are high deductible, which means we are paying high monthly premiums while still having to pay out of pocket for essential healthcare.
Here’s a typical example of someone who comes for acupuncture. They have been suffering from a pain or health condition for anywhere from 6 months to 20 years. They have tried the traditional Western medical route. Orthopedic doctor, neurologist, endocrinologist were unable to help their condition. Medications either did not work or had bad side effects. Given this hopeless situation, they turn to acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a powerful healing tool. Most of our patients respond positively. We can help reduce their pain levels, often resolving the pain for good. Chronic conditions improve dramatically, increasing quality of life. And best of all, acupuncture is natural, with no negative side effects.
The frustrating part is that most of our patients have to pay out of pocket. Their insurance does not cover acupuncture. So the very medicine helping them is not covered. They spend thousands of dollars each month for insurance that does not help them, and have to pay out of pocket for the medicine that does help.
Money Down The Drain
The insanity of our present healthcare system is that very often we are paying for medicine that we either don’t need or doesn’t work. One of my patients pays $1,500 a month for insurance for his family of three. But even when they go to the doctor they pay the bill, because they have a $6,000 deductible. So they are paying $1,500 a month just in case they get hit by a bus and need hospitalization. All other medical costs they pay ourselves.
A Better Solution
Why not let people control healthcare dollars. Let them purchase catastrophic insurance (for the unlikely bus encounter) and then let them put healthcare dollars in an account that is tax free, to be used where they like. For example, my patient’s family could spend $500 per month for catastrophic insurance, allowing them to put $500 per month into a health savings account, to use where they see fit.
Americans have a desperate need for healthcare solutions. A prime example is fertility treatment for women. IVF costs about $30,000 now, which is just too expensive for most families. Acupuncture is very effective helping women get pregnant. If families had health savings accounts they could use those funds for acupuncture fertility treatment. In the current system they are left with no healthcare options.
Another example are people suffering from chronic pain. It’s all well and good to tell people we have an opioid crisis. But just taking away their pain medications is not a good solution. They need a way to reduce their pain safely. Acupuncture is one of the answers. But insurance does not cover acupuncture. A health savings plan would.
Let People Control Healthcare Dollars
It’s time to fix the healthcare system. Let’s pester our representatives until they do something helpful. This problem won’t go away on it’s own. It would be nice if our children could live in a country where healthcare was accessible, affordable and addressed their needs.
For more information about our acupuncture practice CLICK HERE.
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