2007 June

.

There appears to be some confusion as to whether Insurance companies will cover practitioners during the transition period, which is now. First it is business as usual. What this means is that regulated professions are still being covered and so are we. Any insurance company that payed previously, is not suddenly going to stop paying. We think the confusion started because many don't understand process and thought with the passing of Bill 50, those Insurance companies that had not previously paid, would automatically cover practitioners... And of course, for those insurances such as Veterans affair, Blue Cross, they are not going to pay, until they have to. How does this translate currently? As we speak a number of agencies, including the Federal Government, Revenue Canada and insurance companies have to rewrite policies.

Once the College is functioning it will apply for exemption for example regarding the GST. The situation has nothing to do with regulated practitioners at all. They are regulated and their registration in their own Colleges provides the legal mandate and assurance to Insurance companies that these individuals will be held accountable, in the event of malpractice. However, to be clear, once the Transitional College is established, it is anticipated that TCM ractitioners will apply for membership in the New College. Acceptance into the College as a registrant will mean that you will be granted a conditional membership, until licensing is complete and standards are established. This could take up to three years. In the meantime, as a new registrant of the College, all Insurance Companies will then ask for your registration number as they do with other regulated practitioners. If you do not become a member of the New College, Insurance companies will not provide coverage and this is a good thing. This is what regulation is about. Coverage is about ensuring that the individual who performs treatment is qualified and accountable. As the newest regulated health profession, members of the New College will have the distinct advantage of being recognized by other regulated professions and health insurance plans. This will profoundly affect our profession, provide greater access to our services and most of all protects the public from harm. Membership in Associations at this time will no longer be used as a basis for insurance companies to confirm qualifications. The legal mandate will be the New College. However, the role of Associations then become paramount in protecting it's members in which the rights of the individual practitioner is a priority and holds and adjacent position to continue to negotiate on behalf of it's members in relation to the legal mandate of the new College. Associations will have a critical role in this transition period as it relates to continuing education and providing support in interpreting new guidelines and how to implement them in practice. But, we are being treated in the same way we were before legislation, that being we are required to comply with the submissions of forms for treatment in the same way regulated professions do. This is the problem because if you don't speak and write English, you may think the decline from an insurance company is a refusal to provide coverage. Instead, it means that as TCM practitioner we must be registered with The Auto Insurance Standard Invoice under "other practitioners' and then they provide a registration number. This is specific for those claims involving car accidents. Once you have this you have to go online and get specific forms referred to as OCF-18 and OCF21. These forms are specific to treatment plans and diagnosis. They want to know how many treatments are involved and what the diagnosis is. (Western terms only). When speaking with an insurance company you also need to ask if there are other forms specific to their agency, if the treatment is ongoing. These forms are different and require the use of codes. The forms are constantly being changed. Two new forms have been altered since January. If the treatment plan is not approved, the forms may be old, not appropriately filled out and or the patient is in conflict with the company and may need to take the matter to court. For some insurance companies specific forms require you to detail what was done, the cost, and must be on letterhead that clearly details name and address of Clinic, qualifications, and your registration number with your Association. Some insurance companies insist that the treatment plan be signed by a regulated practitioner. This is not a problem. The patient just takes the form to a doctor or chiropractor etc. However, the issue is that we should not have to of course, but in the interim we need to learn the process and that it is not a rejection of us personally, but rather the fact that regulation is in transition and it is just a matter of time. We understand that some people are trying to implicate Bill 50 as the problem, stating that they had coverage before and now they don't. Insurance companies have been tightening up their requirements for a long time. We use to just submit a hand written invoice or typed invoice. This has not been acceptable for at least a year. It is difficult because if we want to be treated the same way as regulated professions then we have to comply in the same way they do. Unfortunately, paper work is a requirement.

在安省中醫藥針灸專業立法建立的過渡期間， 就保險公司是否為中醫專業人員提供醫療保險，社會產生了一些混亂和疑問。 首先， 生意照常。 我們的意思是立法管制的其他醫療專業都在醫療保險範圍內；我們的專業也會同樣在內。任何保險公司在此之前提供針灸醫療費用保險， 是不會突然地停止保險的。 我們認為疑惑的產生是因為許多人還是不理解50號議案通過和法律成立的程序和概念；由此，他們認為那些從未提供針灸保險的保險公司會自動為針灸持業者提供保證。 事實上， 像退伍軍人和藍色十字保險公司，是不想提供針灸保險，一直到他們必須做此。如何去理解這個原因呢？ 當我們與許多機構對話交流，包括聯邦政府，加拿大稅收局和保險公司需要重寫保險政策。 一旦中醫針灸專業管理局成立和開始工作，管理局會向政府申請免稅事項，例如商品服務稅。 這種狀況與立法管制的醫療專業工作人員沒有關係。立法管制的醫療專業工作人員在他們自己的管理局登記，并向保險公司保證和履行他們法律上的責任。一旦違反醫療道德和章程，個人持業者必須承擔法律責任。當然，我們必須明確一點﹕一旦過渡性管理局成立，新的管理局將要求中醫藥針灸專業的持業工作人員申請會員號。一旦你被接受和登記，新的管理局將發給你一個有條件性會員證，一直到會員正式的業務執照頒發和持業行醫標準建立。這些程序需要至少三年時間。 同時，作為管理局的新成員，所有的保險公司會向你索取會員登記號，這和其他立法管制醫療專業相同的。如果你不是新的管理局成員，保險公司不會提供醫療保險。 這是專業立法所具有的權利和成效。 提供醫療保險將保證行醫者具有合格的培訓和付出應有的責任。作為最新的立法管制醫療專業， 新的管理局的會員們將被其他醫療專業人員和保險公司所承認，擁有明顯的優勢。中醫立法將極大地促進專業發展，提供更多醫療服務項目；最重要的是保障了社會民眾的身心安全。保險公司將不在使用學會組織的會員號來確定會員的合格性。 新的管理局擁有最高的立法管制權利。不過，學會組織還是具有權利來保護它的會員們，代表會員與新的管理局聯係，共同就有關法律問題協商解決。學會組織在這立法的過渡期間將起到重要的角色，提供再教育業務培訓，解釋新建立的規章制度，和幫助具體地遵守和施行規章制度。現在， 我們與以前相比，狀況是一樣的。保險公司要求我們遵守他們的規定，呈交治療費用報銷表，這是與其他立法管制醫療專業一樣的對待。如果你不懂英語，不會寫英文，你會有困難去理解為什麼保險公司不同意報銷。這並不是保險公司拒絕提供保險。舉個例子來講， 作為針灸持業者，你必須向保險公司車禍報銷部門，以其他種類持業者的身份來登記；由此保險公司頒發你一個登記號。這是就發生車禍，申請保險賠償事例來講的。一旦你拿到這個登記號，上网站索取具體申請表OCF-18 和OCF-21。 這些表格要求你例寫治療計劃和診斷（應用西醫術語）。如你與保險公司的代表講話，你最好就有關連續針灸治療的病例，問他們是否有其他具體的表格需要填寫。這些表格是不同的，并要求應用密碼。表格在不斷的變動；自從一月份來，已有兩次新的改動。 如果治療計劃沒有被批准，那大概是表格過時了，或不正確地填寫，或者病人與保險公司有沖突，需要法律處理。 就某些保險公司， 表格填寫要求嚴格；要求你詳細地填寫治療經過和費用，并應用診所使用的公事信封，表明診所名字，地址，資歷和你學會所發給的會員登記號。還有一些保險公司要求你拿你的治療方案到其它立法管制醫療專業者里去簽字同意。這是沒有問題的；你的病人可以拿治療方案到家庭醫師或整骨師那去簽字。實際上，我們並不需要做此；當然，在這個期間， 我們需要了解和學習立法過程。 我們必須意識到這不是針對我們的個人的拒絕；這僅僅是立法的過渡期間，時間會證明一切。我們希望這解釋給大家一些幫助。 我們同時知道少數人在暗示50號議案是個問題，聲稱他們以前有針灸醫療保險，但是現在沒有了。 保險公司早就開始嚴格它們的保險範圍。某些人用一個手寫或打字性的賬單；保險公司一年前就不在接受了。如果我們要求與其它立法管制醫療專業同等， 我們必須也要遵守同樣的規章制度。 規範的書寫文件是非常重要的。

The CMAAC Head Office would like to announce its appreciation of an anonymous donation of $300 to the CMAAC. On behalf of CMAAC members everywhere: We Thank You!! 加拿大中醫藥針灸學會的會員們為學會的目標奮斗都在努力的工作。最近，無名氏醫師捐款300元, 在此，僅代表學會的全體會員向您們的奉獻精神表示衷心的感謝，祝願您們在發揚中醫專業的道路上取得更大進步

I. Organization of the conference

Co-sponsor: WFAS, WHO and China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

Organizer: China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Supporter: Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People’s Republic of China

II. Theme of the conference

To retrospect the past and look forward to the future of acupuncture and moxibustion

III. Date for the conference

Oct. 20^th—22^nd, 2007

IV. Working language

Chinese and English

V. Academic exchange on the conference

1. Form of the exchange

Well-known experts in traditional medical science both at home and abroad will be invited to provide keynote speeches over the hot issues in the development of acupuncture and moxibustion. Academic exchange will be conducted by compiling collection of theses and putting up theses at the site of the conference. Academic exchange will also be carried out on the spot through academic forums.

2. Recruitment of theses

i) Content of the thesis

Research of basic theories of acupuncture and moxibustion; Theory and practice of techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion; Prevention of cardio-cerebral vascular diseases, tumour and AIDS by means of acupuncture and moxibustion; The application of acupuncture and moxibustion in preserving and maintaining health; Experience of spreading and popularizing the techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion in rural health centers; Exploring how to exert the power of acupuncture and moxibustion in emergent public health incidents; The application of modern information technology in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion; Probing into the form, content and method of modern acupuncture and moxibustion education; Clinical appraisal, normalization and standardization of acupuncture and moxibustion; Protection of intellectual property right in the development of acupuncture and moxibustion; Research and development of instruments of acupuncture and moxibustion

ii) Requirements of theses

The thesis must have a clear theme, sufficient argument and full and accurate materials with a limitation of 3,000 words or so. An abstract less than 800 words both in Chinese and English is necessary including the aim, method, result and conclusion. The thesis should not have been openly published. The details of the author must be attached to the thesis including name, professional title, work unit, mailing address, postcode, and e-mail address. It should be typed out and sent to our place through post office. The author should also send us a word-file copy in a floppy disk by mail or email us. Please keep the original manuscript and theses sent to us will not be retrieved. Each manuscript should be submitted accompanying by a manuscript-handling fee of USD 50.including translation fee by us. Theses failing to deliver fees will not be handled.

iii) Address: Editional office of Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion

No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China

Liaison person: Wang Ping

Tel: 86-10－84014607

E - Mail: wfas2007x@yahoo.com.cn

The closing date to submit the thesis is June 30^th, 2007.

iv) Registration Fee

The conference fee should be delivered before June 30^th, 2007, $400 for foreign delegate each, $200 for retinue each. If the fee is delivered after July 1^st, 2007, the charge is $500 for foreign delegate each and $250 for retinue each. Travel, room and board charges are not included in the registration fee. Travel, room and board charges are not included in the registration fee.

Address of the Secretariat of the Congress:

No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing, China, the Secretariat of WFAS

Liaison person: Yang Yuyang

Tel: +861064011210

Fax: + 861064018354

Website: www.wfas.org.cn

E-mail: wfas2007m@yahoo.com.cn

一、大会组织

主办单位：世界针灸学会联合会 , 中国中医科学院, 世界卫生组织

承办单位：中国针灸学会

支持单位：中华人民共和国卫生部、国家中医药管理局

二、大会主题: 针灸医学的回顾与展望

三、大会时间：2007年10月20日～22日

四、大会语言 :中文、英文。

五、大会学术交流

1．交流形式: 大会将邀请国内、国际著名传统医学专家就针灸学发展的热点问题进行大会主题演讲；大会将以编辑论文集和会场张贴形式进行书面学术交流；大会将以学术论坛的形式分主题进行现场学术交流。2．论文征集 1）征文内容：针灸基本理论的基础研究；针灸治疗技术的理论与实践；针灸在心脑血管病、肿瘤、艾滋病等重大疾病中的防治作用；针灸在养生保健方面的运用；在城市社区、农村卫生院推广普及针灸治疗技术的经验；如何发挥针灸在突发公共卫生事件中的作用；现代信息技术在针灸领域里的应用；现代针灸教育的模式、内容与方法的探讨；针灸的临床评价与标准化规范化；针灸学发展中的知识产权保护；针灸医疗器械的研究与开发。（2）征文要求：论文务必主题鲜明、论据充分、资料翔实。文章篇幅在3000字左右，另附800字以内的中、英文摘要（以目的、方法、结果、结论形式撰写）。文章最好是未曾公开发表过，务必写清作者姓名、职称、工作单位、联系地址（邮政编码）、联系电话、电子邮箱。请用Word文档打印论文，通过邮局寄送，同时附3.5寸软盘或以E-mail发送。研究类论文和临床报道必须附单位证明，以表明资料来源可靠、署名无争议、无需要保密内容。请自留底稿，恕不退稿。每篇论文请交纳审稿费150元。论文摘要如需代为翻译成英文或中文，另交翻译费200元（国外投稿者为50美金）。请在投稿时一并寄出，未交费稿件，恕不审理。

3）征文及审稿费邮寄地址： 中国北京东城区南小街16号《中国针灸》杂志社 邮政编码：100700

联系人：王平 电话：010－84046331

E - mail: wfas2007x@yahoo.com.cn

（4）征文截止日期：2007年6月30日。

七、会议注册费用： 2007年6月30日以前交费：国外代表400美元，陪同200美元 2007年7月1日以后交费：国外代表500美元，陪同250美元 ,食宿费自理。

大会秘书处地址：中国北京东直门内南小街16号，

世界针灸学会联合会秘书处 -

联系人：杨宇洋

电话：010－64011210

传真：010－64018354

E-mail：wfas2007m@yahoo.com.cn