Acupuncture is the method of treatment based on influencing the body by inserting needles in the specific points of human body, called acupoints.

Chinese medicine is a complete system with a comprehensive theory and way of understanding the body so an acupuncturist can offer help for most conditions. That doesn't mean that everyone who tries acupuncture attains a cure. There are, of course, many variables that will determine whether or not you will get relief for your condition. The best way to find out is to find a Licensed Acupuncturist try it.

Each patient is unique and responds to acupuncture differently, so the number and frequency of treatments will vary from patient to patient. The number of treatments needed to address a specific health concern depends upon the nature of your complaint as well as its duration and severity. You may need only a single treatment for an acute, minor condition. For a chronic problem, ten or more sessions might be required. The effect of acupuncture is cumulative, so you should see changes as you go through a course of treatments. Since acupuncture addresses the health of the whole body, there are many people that regularly schedule acupuncture treatments as a preventive measure to maintain good health.

Yes, usually. Many people have successfully had acupuncture and treatments by chiropractors, physical therapists, psychotherapists, as well as with western medications. This will vary though, so check with your acupuncturist.

The World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have both evaluated the safety of acupuncture and find it to have a lower rate of side effects and complications than any prescription medications or surgical procedures. When performed by a well-trained professional, acupuncture and related techniques have proven to be extremely safe. Needles are single-use, pre-sterilized and disposable to eliminate the risk of disease transmission. Licensed Acupuncturists are certified in nationally recognized Clean Needle Technique protocols to ensure that needles are kept sterile.

Acupuncture needles are smooth, metallic, solid, and hair-thin. People experience acupuncture differently, so when the needles are inserted most feel only a slight sensation or nothing at all. Once the needles are in place, you may feel a sensation of heaviness, warmth, or tingling at and around the site of the needle, or in other parts of the body. Some people are energized by treatment, while others feel relaxed. Improper needle placement, movement of the patient, or a defect in the needle can cause soreness and pain during treatment.This is why it is important to seek treatment from a qualified acupuncture practitioner.

Acupuncture produces its effects through regulating the nervous system, thus aiding the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins and immune system cells at specific sites in the body. In addition, studies have shown that acupuncture may alter brain chemistry by changing the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones thus affecting the parts of the central nervous system related to sensation and involuntary body functions, such as immune reactions and processes that regulate a person's blood pressure, blood flow, and body temperature.

Acupuncture is powerful preventative medicine. Many people report higher energy levels, greater focus, and ability to perform at peak levels in their work and play, by scheduling regular weekly or monthly treatments to stay in top shape.

In the past two decades, acupuncture has grown in popularity in the United States. The report from a Consensus Development Conference on Acupuncture held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1997 stated that acupuncture is being "widely" practiced--by thousands of physicians, dentists, acupuncturists, and other practitioners--for relief or prevention of pain and for various other health conditions. According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey--the largest and most comprehensive survey of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use by American adults to date--an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture, and an estimated 2.1 million U.S. adults had used acupuncture in the previous year.

A variety of insurance companies in Minnesota cover acupuncture. However, you should check with your insurer before you start treatment to see whether acupuncture will be covered for your condition and, if so, to what extent. Some insurance plans require pre-authorization for acupuncture. Many people have successfully used Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts for their acupuncture treatments. Also check with your licensed acupuncturist if accept insurance.

A practitioner must complete a minimum of three years of graduate study at a nationally accredited school for acupuncture and Chinese medicine. This training includes a required number of hours in the classroom and in clinics treating patients with supervision. In Minnesota, a practitioner must also pass national certification board exams, a Clean Needle Technique exam, and then submit documentation to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice to be designated as a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.). To maintain the license, a practitioner must complete continuing education about acupuncture, herbal medicine, first aid, and ethics. Frequently asked Clean Needle technique questions: http://www.ccaom.org/needle_faq.asp There are many traditions in this medicine, and so the background, style and specific training can vary from one practitioner to another.

As with any health care practitioner, a personal rapport will be important. You might choose someone based on the special focus of his or her practice. You might also choose based on proximity to your work or home. In any case, it is important to remember that the training of the licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) involves understanding the theory and diagnosis of a different system of medicine. Unless a chiropractor or medical doctor has a degree in Chinese medicine, they have not been trained to the same standards as a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.). Chiropractic and medical doctor's education in acupuncture in Minnesota requires a 200-hour course. This compares to the 3000+ course hours required for a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.). Physical therapists and other providers that perform muscular needle techniques have roughly 40 hours of training in needling.

Details of these processes change periodically, so be sure to go to the referenced websites to assure your requirements and timelines. First time certification To apply for NCCAOM certification (for individuals who are not currently certified by the NCCAOM) go to: https://www.nccaom.org/certification/becoming-certified/ Certification renewal You will need to renew your NCCAOM certification every four years. To apply for NCCAOM recertification (for individuals who currently hold NCCAOM Diplomate status): https://www.nccaom.org/certification/certification-renewal/

First-Time Licensure Once you obtain your NCCAOM certificate, you must apply for your license from the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (BMP). You will find the process to apply or renew your license online at: https://mn.gov/boards/assets/APAppPackageJune2019_tcm21-36630.pdf A summary of the licensure process is as follows: Pass your clean needle technique exam. Graduate (unless you are eligible for the pre-graduation route) Apply for certification through NCCAOM. Request for your school to send your transcripts to NCCAOM through the online portal. Take and pass your board exams. Complete an application for state licensure and send it to the Board of Medical Practice. You will need two L.Ac. to act as professional references for you and have them send in the required documents. Send a request to NCCAOM for board exam results to be sent to the Board of Medical Practice. Receive your NCCAOM certification and bring a notarized copy to the MN Board of Medical Practice. MN Board of Medical Practice will contact you to have your finger prints taken for the background check and they will notify you of your licensure. The following link contains the rules for licensure as a Minnesota acupuncturist. This link contains the Acupuncturist Fact Sheet published by the Board of Medical Practice (a summary document of the facts of licensure).

Licensure Renewal If you are a licensed practitioner, you can renew your license online at: https://bmp.hlb.state.mn.us/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=0&tabid=41 To renew your license you will need to do the following annually: Complete the renewal application provided by the Board of Medical Practice (online at link above). Submit the renewal fee. Provide documentation of current and active NCCAOM certification. Submit any additional information requested by the Board of Medical Practice to clarify information presented in the renewal application. The information must be submitted within 30 days after the board's request, or the renewal request is nullified. Acupuncture licenses are due for renewal in your birth month of each year. The board of medical practice will send out a renewal notice that will include an application and notice of fees at least 30 days before the license renewal date to your last known address.

In this section, you will find basic information on taxes that may pertain to you and your practice as an acupuncturist. This is meant to be used only as a brief overview with links to resources. Please do further research or consult an accountant to determine more specifically which taxes apply to you. Tax identification numbers If you run your own practice and are set up as a business entity, you may need to obtain both a federal and state tax ID number. This can be done at the website links below. https://irs-gov-ein-number.com https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/minnesota-department-revenue Tax Due Dates Overview: Sales & Use Tax: February 5th MN Provider Care Tax: March 15th S Corp & Partnership Taxes: March 15th Federal Taxes: April 15th Federal Taxes The Internal Revenue Service has a wonderful website to help you learn about your federal taxes. The information below is a brief snapshot. You can learn more of the details at www.irs.gov Federal Self-Employment= 15.3%* 12.4% of the first $102,000 (2008) of wages, tips and net earnings is contributed to social security for coverage that provides you with retirement benefits, disability benefits, survivor benefits. 2.9% is contributed to Medicare (hospital insurance). You must pay this on any wages, tips and earnings (even over and above the $102,000). Federal Income Tax= 10-35% of net income, depending on your income bracket Estimated Taxes: You must pay estimated taxes if the combined total of Federal Income and Self-employment tax you expect to owe is more than $1000 for an individual, sole proprietor or S-corp and $500 for a corporation. Estimated taxes are paid quarterly and due: 1st Quarter--April 15 2nd Quarter--June 15 3rd Quarter--September 15 4th Quarter--January 15 of the following year. You can apply to pay your quarterly estimated taxes online at www.irs.gov or pick up a paper form and mail them in. State Taxes The state of Minnesota has a user-friendly website to guide you through the various types of taxes, as well as where you can file and pay most state taxes online. The information below is a brief overview. You will most likely need a state tax ID number if you are self-employed. You can get more complete information and apply for your tax ID number at https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/minnesota-department-revenue State income tax Rate: 5.35% to 7.85% of your net income, depending on income bracket. (2009) When to Pay: You must pay estimated tax if you expect to owe $500*. (*There are more specifics on this and you should check this on the website.) Estimated taxes are due: 1st Quarter: April 15 2nd Quarter: June 15 3rd Quarter: September 15 4th Quarter: January 15. MinnesotaCare (MN Care or Provider tax) Rate: 1.8% of your gross revenues from services and non-taxable goods. When to pay: If you expect your gross income from services and non-taxable goods is less than $25000, MinnesotaCare tax is paid annually and is due on March 15. If you expect to your annual gross income to be more than $25000, the MinnesotaCare tax is paid quarterly. 1st Quarter: April 15 2nd Quarter: June 15 3rd Quarter: September 15 4th Quarter: January 15 of the following year. Note: You must also file an annual return which is due March 15 (even if paying in quarterly deposits). Sales & Use Tax You must pay sales tax on any supplements, herbal patents, powdered herbs, or other retail products you sell. You must pay use tax on tax-eligible items on which you didn't pay sales tax (e.g. items ordered online). Use tax also applies to anything you take from your inventory for your personal use. Rate: 6.875% on up, depending on city or county. Due Dates: Annually: If your sales and use tax you owe averages less than $100/month. Due: February 5. Quarterly: If your sales and use tax averages less than $500 per month. Quarterly payments are due on: 1st Quarter: April 20 2nd Quarter: July 20 3rd Quarter: October 20 4th Quarter: January 20 of the following year. Monthly: If your sales and use tax averages more than $500 per month. Monthly payments are due on the 20th of the following month.

You need to make sure you are protected while you are busy providing care. In this section we list providers and look at questions you should ask. Sources for Professional Liability Insurance To obtain coverage for your professional liability insurance, two of the better known resources are: CM&F Group: CM&F’s Acupuncturist malpractice insurance policy is the most competitive in the market through one of the largest, most reliable insurance carriers. With Acupuncturist liability insurance, you don’t need to spend a fortune or sacrifice your coverage to protect yourself from liability claims. Family owned since 1919, CM&F believes in great products, with better technology for the best service. The insurance company as well as the insurance policy you rely on matters if you are ever faced with a liability claim. https://www.cmfgroup.com/professional-liability-insurance/acupuncturist-insurance/ American Acupuncture Council (AAC): Recognized as the nation's leader in acupuncture professional liability coverage, AAC offers the very best in affordable protection. You can obtain both professional and premises liability coverage as a package, or purchase just the professional liability coverage separately. To request more information, please visit AAC at www.acupuncturecouncil.com or call 800-838-0383. The Wood Insurance Group: The Wood Insurance Group is an independently operated insurance brokerage that specializes in the Healthcare Industry. They provide services to Healthcare Clients and Agents throughout the United States. Their firm is small and efficient, priding themselves in their ability to find creative solutions to complex risk/insurance problems. They can provide coverage for all or part of your insurance needs. To request more information, please visit The Wood Insurance Group at: www.woodinsurancegroup.com or call 800-695-0219 Note: One or both of the providers may offer discounts if you are alumni of certain schools. In addition, both may provide discounts to MAA members. Recommendations: If you have had a great experience with another provider of malpractice/ professional liability, please let us know and we will add them to the list. Contact: mnacuassociation@gmail.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ The following article appeared in the Fall 2002 quarterly newsletter, The Forum, published by the Acupuncture Alliance (now part of AAAOM). It provides a nice overview of how to evaluate insurance companies and coverages when shopping for professional liability insurance. What Every Practitioner Should Know About Liability Insurance (The Forum, Fall 2002) edited by T. Tully The following information was gathered from several sources in the insurance industry dealing with acupuncture malpractice insurance. We encourage you to use the information we have provided as a starting point to do your own research to find the company and policy that suits your individual needs the best. Rating Insurers A primary criteria for rating an insurer is the strength of the company. The most is the strength of the company. The most common rating system is A.M. Best. This rates companies on financial and management strength, quality of policies, etc. Ask what a company's A.M. Best rating is. Choose one that is A++ and A+ (superior); A and A- (excellent ) or B++ and B+ (very good). Continuity in the marketplace is also an important consideration. Licensed or Surplus Lines A licensed company has had its policies, applications, and rates approved by the state. Once these have been approved, they can not make changes without approval, If the company goes bankrupt, policies are guaranteed by the "State Guarantee Fund." A surplus lines carrier has not arranged with the state for approval of its contracts or forms. The state neither approves or disapproves of the policies that are guaranteed by the "State Guarantee Fund." A surplus lines carrier has not arranged with the state for approval of its contracts or forms. The state neither approves or disapproves of the policies, rates or applications, nor is there protection form the State Guarantee Fund. Surplus lines policies also have an added premium fee that varies from state to state. It should be noted that very few insurance companies get state licensure. Limits of Liability Limits of liability are the maximum a month the company will pay for each claim and for the year. They are expressed as two numbers, e.g. $1 M/ 43M. This means the company will pay a maximum of $1,000,000 for each occurrence with a limit of $3,000,000 in each year. Deductible Ask if there is a deductible you must pay. The smaller the deductible, the more you pay in premiums. Defense Costs Find out whether the defense cost is in addition to or included in the policy limits. For example, if you have a $1000,000/$1000,000 policy, including defense costs, and a judgment is $85,000 plus defense costs in addition to the limit, the additional $15,000 would be covered. Legal fees included in the policy limits is the most common, although some companies offer additional coverage for defense costs. Required Consent Form Arbitration Ask if the company requires that your patients sign a specific consent form an if so, get a copy. Some forms require that your patients agree to binding arbitration in the event of a dispute, which you may not wish. Some practitioners find the wording of the consent forma frightens patients. Consent to Settle A company may require you to sign an agreement giving it the right to settle a lawsuit without consulting your and/or without your agreement. Consider this carefully: A company may settle a claim you consider frivolous simply because it would cost them more to litigate it than settle it - you then have a record of a malpractice suit. If a company doesn't require a consent to settle, you will want to ask about their experience in defending practitioners against unjust claims. Changing The Underwriter Check to see if the company changes the underwriter of the policy in a continual search for the lowest rates. If so, what you have at a later time. Think carefully before you make 'lowest price' the main criteria for your selection. Claims Made or Occurrence Based Ask whether the policy covers claims filed during the coverage period or covers acts that occurred during the coverage period, It the latter, and you have been in practice before, you may wish to purchase "prior acts' coverage to cover claims based on act that took place prior to the date of the policy. Exclusions Policies differ in what they will cover. Find out if employees are covered. ask what is excused under the policy . Possible exclusions are: fraud, transmission of hepatitis, HIV or AIDS, criminal acts, discrimination, express warranty of guarantee, punitive damages, violation of privacy or slander, acupuncture for obstetrics, sterility, birth control, surgery or anesthesia, direct moxa, treatment of animals, physical or sexual abuse, services out side the scope of practice (such as herbs in some jurisdictions), hospital or clinic functions, workers compensation, pollution, laser, treatment done out of jurisdiction, reusable needles, sexually transmitted diseases and peer review, utilization or quality assurance panels. Ask how the company determines what you are covered for. Some companies will specifically exclude certain modalities while others will cover whatever is not specifically exclude certain modalities while other swill cover whatever is not specifically excluded by the law in your state. Exclusions should not necessarily be seen as negatives. If an insurance company attempts to be everything to every-one and covers uncommon or high risk practices on all individuals, it means that all policy holder must pay higher rates even though the percentage of practitioners who actually pre form those services is very small. Most insurer try to cover those services most common to the greatest number of practitioners. Exclusions help to keep costs reasonable for the majority. Price Last, but not least, inquire about the price. If you are a new practitioner and/or only work part-time, you should ask if rates are available for part-time practitioners. Also ask about the cost for the first year, second year and third year. Some companies give a reduce d rate for the first year but increase rates in subsequent years. If you are engaged in a high risk area of practice, such as obstetrics, be prepared for difficulty obtaining insurance and having to pay more for it when you do ding it. Other Benefits Ask if the company offers other insurance coverage. "Slip and fall" for your premises and policies that cover office equipment, employee dishonesty, water damage disability, etc., are typically separate form your malpractice insurance. Worker's compensation insurance may be handled by an insurance company or by a state agency, depending on where you live. Other Concerns There is a great deal of concern among practitioners that professional liability insurance rates will increase due to the effects on the insurance industry subsequent to September 11. However, representatives of the companies interviewed for this article indicated that this is not as much of a concern as the possibility that an increasing number of companies will simply discontinue writing acupuncture liability policies altogether, as some of you nay have already experience, Several insurers are getting out of the medical professional liability market, including acupuncture liability even though acupuncturist represent a very stable and low risk sub-market of medical professional liability insurance. Fewer insurers means less competition and less competition ultimately means less choice for the practitioner. Although premiums are not expected to increase radically of soon, they will inevitability increase as the market matures. Ironically, the less experienced you are as a practitioner, the cheaper your malpractice insurance. One would think that a new practitioner would be at higher risk of making errors and therefore insuring them would cost more. However, from the insurance industry's point of view, a new practitioner sees fewer patients, had no history to come back on them and are probably too poor to be an attractive target for a legal case. As you and your practice nature, you actually become a higher risk, despite your greater experience. Correspondingly, as the profession as a whole matures, and there are greater numbers of practitioners, the total number of actionable incident also increases and therefore, so will insurance premiums. Another important factor that needs to be considered is how expanding scope of practice will impact the profession. If more practitioners move from strictly AOM practice and into "primary care," utilizing western diagnostic and treatment modalities, the liability of the practitioner will increase exponentially. Will the insurers that cover us now be willing to continue to cover expanded scopes and, if so, what will that cost the practitioner, and ultimately, the consumer? Thanks to the Colorado Acupuncture Association for permission to use portions of their publication on insurance in this article. Sources for Professional Liability Insurance To obtain coverage for your professional liability insurance, two of the better known resources are: CM&F Group: CM&F’s Acupuncturist malpractice insurance policy is the most competitive in the market through one of the largest, most reliable insurance carriers. With Acupuncturist liability insurance, you don’t need to spend a fortune or sacrifice your coverage to protect yourself from liability claims. Family owned since 1919, CM&F believes in great products, with better technology for the best service. The insurance company as well as the insurance policy you rely on matters if you are ever faced with a liability claim. https://www.cmfgroup.com/professional-liability-insurance/acupuncturist-insurance/ American Acupuncture Council (AAC): Recognized as the nation's leader in acupuncture professional liability coverage, AAC offers the very best in affordable protection. You can obtain both professional and premises liability coverage as a package, or purchase just the professional liability coverage separately. To request more information, please visit AAC at www.acupuncturecouncil.com or call 800-838-0383. The Wood Insurance Group: The Wood Insurance Group is an independently operated insurance brokerage that specializes in the Healthcare Industry. They provide services to Healthcare Clients and Agents throughout the United States. Their firm is small and efficient, priding themselves in their ability to find creative solutions to complex risk/insurance problems. They can provide coverage for all or part of your insurance needs. To request more information, please visit The Wood Insurance Group at: www.woodinsurancegroup.com or call 800-695-0219 Note: One or both of the providers may offer discounts if you are alumni of certain schools. In addition, both may provide discounts to MAA members. Recommendations: If you have had a great experience with another provider of malpractice/ professional liability, please let us know and we will add them to the list. Contact: mnacuassociation@gmail.com Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software

Business insurance incorporates several types of coverage customized specifically for your needs to protect the ongoing health of your business. Just as Oriental Medicine is great as a preventative modality, business insurance is a way to protect your future income from unforeseen events such as property damage due to a fire or natural disaster, covering cost of operating expenses while your business is interrupted due to damage to your premises, injury to a patient while they are on your premises, coverage for part of your salary in case you are disabled, etc. Additional types of coverage are listed below. When considering your business insurance needs, ask yourself these questions: Do I have adequate business continuation coverage? If a natural disaster were to strike your business, will you be able to set up and continue operations in another location? How often will I be updating my liability coverage? Don't fall into the trap that many small business owners find themselves in. They purchase a policy, file it away, and never look at it again. Review your insurance policy at least once a year to make sure it still meets your needs. Here are some of the basic types of business insurance: Property and liability coverage. You never know when a fire, flood, or other natural disaster will strike. Property and liability insurance will also shield you from judgments for accidents on your property or involving your employees. Make sure you have adequate coverage in this area. Health and medical coverage. As your business grows, you will want to offer some type of health insurance for your employees. Consult a health insurance broker for the best deals on these plans. Offering a good health plan helps attract and retain the best employees. Directors and officers coverage. This type of insurance protects the directors and officers of a corporation from personal liability in the event of a claim against the business. Key executive life coverage. Your key employees are the heartbeat of your organization, so make sure you have adequate insurance coverage on them. Vehicle coverage. These policies typically cover liability for injuries involving the vehicles owned and operated by your company. Disability coverage. This insurance continues to pay a portion of the salary of a worker who has sustained an injury and can no longer work. Website coverage. While this is a relatively new type of policy, it is growing in popularity. Nearly every business has a Web site, and this type of insurance protects you against any claims or actions taken in conjunction with your site. Business interruption coverage. This coverage protects you if a if a fire or other disaster damaged their business premises so that they were temporarily unusable. It is not sold separately, but rather it is added to a property insurance policy or included in a package policy. A quick resumption of business after a disaster is essential. Extra expense Insurance. Extra expense insurance reimburses your company for a reasonable sum of money that it spends, over and above normal operating expenses, to avoid having to shut down during the restoration period. Usually, extra expenses will be paid if they help to decrease business interruption costs. In some instances, extra expense insurance alone may provide sufficient coverage, without the purchase of business interruption insurance. Other Helpful Links to Learn about Business Insurance Educate yourself about small business insurance here: http://www.insureuonline.org/smallbusiness/ Quick questions and answers about small business insurance: https://www.freeadvice.com/insurance/business/ Recommendations: If you have had a great experience with another provider of business insurance, please let us know and we will add them to the list. Contact: mnacuassociation@gmail.com Health Insurance Don't forget about your own health. It is important to ensure you can get the health care you need when you need it.Each individual's health insurance needs are different, but as a sole or small business owner, ensuring you are covered one way or another is essential to your future. This section will help you learn more about the types of insurance, how to shop for insurance, and help you find resources to help you take care of you. Types of Health Insurance There are a variety of policies which insurance companies offer on an individual basis. Some of the more common types of policies include: Major Medical: provides coverage for doctor visits, surgery and hospitalization or ongoing illnesses. Hospital and Surgery: provides coverage solely related to hospital stays and surgical services, such as room and board, laboratory tests, X-rays, plus doctors' charges. Hospital Confinement Indemnity: a policy designed to pay a set amount (an indemnity) for each day you are an "in-patient" at a hospital. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): centralized service provider, commonly with a general practitioner (limited selection of participating doctors) coupled with coverage by specialists upon referral. Doctor visits, surgery, hospitalization and often reduced-rate prescription medicine are provided. May also cover preventive care, often not included in major medical policies. Specified Disease (also called "Dread Disease"): covers costs associated with a single disease, such as cancer, AIDS, heart attack, etc. Short-Term: typically a major medical policy but with coverage lasting only for a specified length of time. Might be purchased to cover the time you are between jobs. Accident Only: provides coverage for doctor visits, surgery and hospitalization resulting from an accident (no coverage for disease or illness). Dental: provides coverage for costs associated with dentists and orthodontists. Vision: provides coverage for sight correction Home-Health Care: care provided to enable you to remain in your home while receiving services which can range from assisted living (help around the house) to around-the clock nursing with other health care providers on call. Long -Term Care: coverage provided to individuals who otherwise would not be able to take care of themselves. A range of services from delivery of prepared meals, assistance with managing the residence, to stays in residential facilities. Often associated with long-term illness and the elderly. Limited Benefit: not very common, a bare-bones type of coverage intended to cover specific situations. Helpful Links to Learn about Health Insurance /Resources MN Department of Health - guide to purchasing insurance: https://www.health.state.mn.us/facilities/insurance/clearinghouse/purchase.html Health insurance FAQ: https://www.freeadvice.com/insurance/health/ Compare health plan quotes: https://www.ehealthinsurance.com Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) MCHA is for Minnesotans who have been turned down for individual health insurance in the private market due to pre-existing conditions. https://mchamn.com/

American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) https://www.asacu.org/ Welcome! The American Society of Acupuncturists is delighted to be a resource for those interested in finding the best of acupuncture and East Asian medicine (EAM) in the United States, and for those advocating for the highest standards of education and practice. Our membership includes the highest trained practitioners in the states, and together we work to promote the best in EAM for the American public. American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) www.aaaomonline.org A national professional membership association founded to represent the diversity of practitioners of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in the United States. The Association is committed to integrating acupuncture and Oriental medicine into the American health-care system as well as fostering quality health care, education and research. Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (CCAOM) www.ccaom.org Formed in 1982 for the purpose of advancing the status of acupuncture and Eastern medicine in the United States, the CCAOM has developed academic and clinical guidelines and core curriculum requirements for master's- level and doctoral-level programs in acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

World Health Organization www.who.int/en/ WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health https://www.nccih.nih.gov/ The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) part of the National Institutes of Health, is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on the diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not generally considered part of conventional medicine. NCCIH was formerly known as the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.