from the desk of Clinic Director Dr. Misty White
The Affordable Care Act prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against Naturopathic Doctors (NDs).
Is my plan complying with the law?
Most insurance companies are not aware that effective 1-1-14, they may not deny coverage of routine health services when provided by a naturopathic physician, and that they may not discriminate against your choice of provider by having different co-pays, deductibles, or annual caps on your ND than on other providers.
What can I do?
If your insurance doesn’t cover NDs, or your ND care has copays, deductibles or visit limitations that are different from those applied to Medical Doctors (MDs) for similar services, follow these steps:
- File a complaint. Call 1-888-877-4894 and select the Life & Health option or file electronically.
- Detail how your plan covers (or doesn’t cover) your ND with different limitations, restrictions, or caps.
- State that Section 2706 of the ACA prohibits this kind of provider discrimination and ask the Commissioner to enforce the law.
- Send a message to the Governor to enforce the law at www.CoverMyND.org
The Affordable Care Act
SEC. 2706.
NON-DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE
(a) Providers – A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall not discriminate with respect to participation under the plan or coverage against any health care provider who is acting within the scope of that provider’s license or certification…
