ABC code participation

Last week I sent you an e-Alert (“Breaking the Code” 2/24/03) about a new coding system for doctors called Advanced Billing Concept Codes (ABC Codes), that has the potential to completely change the way alternative healthcare is prescribed and covered by insurance. This could be a huge benefit to the patients of practitioners who are members of groups such as the American Association of Oriental Medicine, the World Chiropractic Alliance, the Midwives Alliance of North America, the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Alliance, the American Massage Therapy Association, and the American Nurses Association.

But there’s a catch. The ABC pilot program requires registration in order to participate, and the deadline for registration is March 16, 2003. Anyone unregistered by that date will not be able to use the codes during the two-year trial period.

In the February e-Alert I suggested that you call your doctor (or your chiropractor, or your acupuncturist, etc.) to find out if he’s registered in the pilot program. That comment prompted a question from an HSI member named Audrey who says she spoke to her doctors, “but they do not know where to get the forms to register for this pilot program. Can you help?”

Happy to help, Audrey. Healthcare practitioners and organizations that would like to participate can register at this web site: alternativelink.com.

Registration is available only through the Alternative Link web site. But the deadline is drawing near, so don’t delay. Call your healthcare provider immediately and urge him to participate in this groundbreaking program.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute