Vermont Association of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

Annual Meeting

November 12, 2005

 

Meeting commenced at 9:30am at the Congregational Church in Richmond, VT.

 

Present: Robert Davis, Bonnie Povolny, Molly Beverage, Judith Music, Glynn Pellagrino, Carol Price, Arthur Makaris, Kelly Kaeding, KiKi Colgan, Ann Ramsay, Jeannette Moy, LiMing Tseng, David Pierson, Larry Novins, Stewart Cohen, Laura Cooley, Chris Kiely

Moderator: Glynn Pellagrino

 

I. Membership Report:

A. 2005 membership: 44 members

B. 2006 membership: 12 current members (number is as of beginning of meeting – we expect most to renew)

C. In 2005, there were about 81 VAAOM non members on the VT Secretary of State’s list of licensed acupuncturists, 32 of whom were from out of state.

 

II. Treasurer’s Report by Robert Davis for 2005

A. $20,136.25 inflow

B. $14,446.92 outflow

C. Net gain of $5,689.33

D. Currently we have $21,804.72.  Some additional items have not been deducted

 

III.    Business

A.  Election of Vice President:

1. Judith Music nominates Molly Beverage, seconded by Glynn Pellagrino for the position of Vice President.

2. Discussion: Robert Davis recognized Molly for her work in Grand Rounds for last year and this year. Molly states that she wanted to help in the bringing together of people, and interaction and networking of the practitioners.  Last year’s grand rounds 14 people came to the headache Grand Round in May, Ethics Grand Rounds had 21 attendants.  

3. Unanimously confirmed.  Motion approved.

 

B. Mileage reimbursements

1. Motion to approve the Board to be reimbursed for mileage for Board business at a rate set by the Board that is not to be higher than the amount stated by the IRS. Proposed by Glynn Pellagrino, second by Ann Ramsay.  

2. Discussion: Judith Music feels that Board should be able to decide the monies spent as the Board has helped to raise the money.  If the membership decides that money is being spent in excess, then spending can be reviewed.  Arthur points out that since we are a small organization at this point that we should follow the standards of asking the membership such issues. David Pierson recommends a small per diem rate for work missed as a small board before the hiring of a lobbyist.

3. Unanimous agreement. Motion approved.

 

C. Proposal to join AAOM as a state association

1. Motion for the VAAOM to be a state organization member of the AAOM by LiMing Tseng, seconded by Arthur Makaris.

2. Discussion: Yearly membership is $250 for a state organization.  There is a discount for a “Joint Professional Membership” which means that anyone who holds membership to the state organization can be a member of AAOM for $200 instead of $250 (professional membership rate).  As a state organization, David Pierson recommends that we develop the professional leadership and enthusiasm for the our field as example by the chiropractors.  

3. Unanimous approval. Motion approved.

 

D. Match of Donation for Katrina Disaster.

1. Kelly Kaeding motions that VAAOM match the donations that have already been donated, second by Kiki Colgan.

2. Discussion: $250 was donated at the Deadman conference.  Arthur Makaris mentions that a lot of the Katrina donations were made for the lower sector of the population. He questions as to where the funds will go.  Laura Cooley will speak more on the topic later.  Kiki has received positive feedback regarding the help that Acupuncturist without Borders has provided for the treatment of health care workers.

3. Unanimous approval. Motion Approved.

 

IV. Updates & Discussions

A.  Green Mountain Institute (GMI) update

1. David Pierson, president of the Vermont Chiropractic Association and Board member of GMI updates us on the status of GMI and welcomes open discussion of the school.

2. Problems have arisen in the past 10-12 years.

3. GMI Board has voted to close the school.

4. Currently 4 students applying for VT license. Office of Professional Regulations (OPR) has denied that, appeal on Nov 29 - 30th. VT Dept of Ed approved GMI to give Masters Degrees. Because GMI is not an ACAOM accredited school, OPR will not grant licenses for those 4 graduates though students have passed the NCCAOM examinations. GMI would hope to appeal OPR, otherwise, students will have to appeal.  David would like to ask for an attempt to heal this situation as the school closes.  GMI asks for the support from and open dialogue with the membership, as this is our profession.  

5. How can we help with these 5 students?  Because there is a hearing coming up the advisors cannot give more specific information.

 

B.  Review of Deadman Event:

1. Attendance for Male Disorders was 53, Attendance for Point Locations was 57.  

2. Raised $4,913.19

 

C.  Preview of Jeffrey Yuen Lecture

-   October 21 & 22, 2006 presentation on Bi Syndromes.

 

V. Legislation:

A.  Acupuncture Patient Protection Act: Physicians (DC, ND, DO, MDs) already have acupuncture in their scope of practice.  It is not clear what, if any, training standards are required in order for physicians to practice acupuncture.

1. We are proposing a bill to clarify the definition of adequate training.  Vermont is unique in that we do not have hours requirement for acupuncture to be practiced by physicians.  

2. Definition of adequate hours? Some practitioners of other systems seem to be supportive of the hours.  Medical communities (DO, NDs seem to be supportive).  Chiropractors: some agree, some do not.  

3. Discussion: Are we are telling other group how to regulate their groups?  Perhaps we can ask other groups to put a standard of their own groups.  Number of hours seem questionable, 100-300 hours standards seems standards.  It may be easier to ask for 100 hours with test.

a. David Pierson recommends conversations with lobbyist and conversation with Medical Boards..  Physical therapists should be included.  Including dentists and podiatrists.  Organizations should work together .  

b. Clarifications: acupuncture is in scope of practice, not necessarily as Oriental Medicine for physicians.

 

B. Acupuncture Equality of Access Act:

1. This bill prohibits insurance companies who choose to cover acupuncture from restricting reimbursement to only one group of providers.  

2. As the specialist in acupuncture we should be covered if non specialists (physicians) are covered.

 

VI. Announcements:

A. Review of Grand Rounds by Molly Beverage:

 1. Upcoming Event - End of January, 2006: 3 people

 a.  Helene Langevin, acupuncture research at UVM

b. Kristin Cmok, presentation on Dermatology

c. LiMing Tseng new CPT codes

2.  March Grand Round possibilities

3. Early May, Dan Brown

 

B. Larry Novins, Legal Counsel of the Office of Professional Regulations (OPR) of the Secretary of State’s office.

1. As we organize VAAOM and grow as a profession, what is our relationship to OPR?

2. Role of the advisors (currently Judy Music and Bonnie Povolny)

3. Brief background: every licensed profession except for MDs, teachers and lawyers are regulated through the OPR.  They regulate 42 professions. There used to be independent boards for each group. To streamline in Vermont, the OPR was created.

4. Basic charge: administrative support for the professions.

5. Director of OPR relies on advisors as appointed by the Secretary of State to help draft rules of the professions.  Larry’s job is to provide legal help to change statues or to review the statutes.  Professional Regulation guides the safety of public health community (the people).  

6. OPR regulates

a. people practicing have to have correct credentials

b. method of disciplining people who are practicing outside of the statues or if problems occur

c. Acupuncturist have had a great track record with the OPR

7.  If anything comes up and a decision needs to be made (such as AcuDetox 3 years ago), the advisors provide guidance.  The director makes the decisions with advisors input.  Advisors are in touch with the members of the profession.  

8.  Process of discipling:

a. complaints from any source (people calling complaint office)

b. Unit administrator - complaint is reviewed (regarding professional competence)

c. 1 of 6 investigators in staff will look at the information as consulted by the advisors.  If investigation deems case as not necessary for further examination, no further action is taken.

1. If there is a complaint, a letter will be written to the practitioner where a complaint was filed.  This information is not made public at this point.

2. One of 2 prosecutors will review the information and if it is not covered by the rule or if a weak gray area, then the prosecutors can be closed. Letter will be sent to practitioner to say that case was reviewed.and let them know that they should be more careful.  50% ends this way with the OPR.  

3. if decision is made to prosecute, the prosecutor will post the complaint to office.  The prosecutor makes recommendations . Public is notified.

4. Case is set for hearing, practitioners would be tried.  Tried to Board, then if found guilty, then next step is taken depending on severity. If Board considers danger to public, then the license can be suspended .  Ours are heard by Administrative Law officer hearing because we do not have a Board.  In cases with competency, the standards are compared.  Issuing a decision.

5.  License can be revoked if they are a large danger.  

6.  If so, then can be appealed to the level of the courts with hearings: prosecutor, licensee (with or without lawyer).  Witnesses take oath, licensee can cross examine the witness.  

 

9.  All hearings are public and we are welcomed to see it.  Nursing Board can be visited for discipling hearing.  Website. www.Vtprofessionals.org . Decisions can be checked out for acupuncturists, etc.  Cases that are dismissed without prosecutions are not available on website but general anonymous information can be attained through the office.  

10. KiKi Colgan reminds us that we need to use forms stating laws and how make complaints.  Disclosure statement: include your credential, what they need to do with filing complaints.  

11. Who makes the complaints? In general patients.  Not been another acupuncturist in experience of Judy Music and Glynn Pellagrino in our profession.  Doctors make complaint?  Not seen in last few years.  

12. Recommendations to change Statutes:

a. Proposal to allow students to legally practice acupuncture while under the supervision of a licensed acupuncturist when they are in an approved apprenticeship program or ACAOM approved school.

b. Proposal for future licensees who want to practice herbal medicine that they will need to have passed an examination in herbal medicine.

c. Proposal for allowing practitioners who travel to treat. If a practitioner comes to VT for a CEU class, s/he are allowed 5 days to practice if they are licensed by another state.  Seminar needs to have a licensed health care professional to supervise.

d. Proposal that future licensees will require a degree from a candidate or accredited school by ACAOM or equivalent accreditation group.  

e.  Discussion on insurance. As our profession grows, we would like to see acupuncture reimbursement.  Convincing the insurance companies, from our point of view, they are going to want that the standards of licensure are sufficiently high to feel comfortable.  If we want to assure that licensure standards are high enough for insurance coverage.  Schools need to be accredited by ACAOM.

f.  Proposal to phase out the apprenticeships:  Look back at history: small amount of people have been apprenticed trained.  Worry that when money/insurance is looked at, will person use an apprentice to generate income as the billing fraud?  Is an apprenticeship a correct way of licensure?  Should people long term be allowed? The changes in the statue propose that long term apprenticeship should be registered by Dec 31, 2006, and over by Dec 31, 2012. Apprentices will need to be registered with the state.

1.  Glynn recommends that practitioner needs higher standards for preceptors to keep the apprenticeship due to its traditions.

2.  Judy recommends that people who are interested in apprenticeship should get together and propose something for the advisors to bring to the OPR.

 

C. Laura Cooley (donation of monies to acupuncture services for Hurricane Katrina)

1.  Laura has had experience with NADA (12 years), TPS Treatment and Protocols management x 2 years for field review, emergency management.  

2. NADA trainer with free ear acupuncture treatments at St. Vincents Hospital after 9/11.

3. Monies donated to Elk Mountain Healing Arts will be used for funding use of auricular acupuncture treatments in the treatment of emergency rescue workers as well as victims of the Hurricane.  Treatments given for stress reduction as well as pain management.

 

VII. Meeting ended 1:20pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

LiMing Tseng

VAAOM,secretary