Fwd: Comment on CCO Implementation Proposal

[Guest guest]

Dear OR DCs,

 

FYI...posted to the OHP Board.

Dear Oregon Health Policy Board,

 

I am writing to you from the perspective of a medical manager of The CHP Grooup, a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) network of health care providers.  As a part of CHP's quality improvement process, my company annually surveys patients of our licensed and credentialed Doctors of Chiropractic and Naturopathic Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturists and Massage Therapists.  The data from these surveys indicate the extent to which these consumers benefit from CAM treatments.  I think that this information will be of interest and useful to the Board as it develops policies around the formation of Coordinated Care Orgainzations (CCO).

 

CHP Patient Satisfaction Survey questions are drawn from the industry-standard CAHPS® survey instrument.  Every year since 2000 respondents have expressed exceptionally high levels of satisfaction with the care that their CAM providers deliver.  Since 2000 the CHP Survey of CAM patients show over 95% of respondents were " satisfied " or " highly satisfied " with all aspects of their care as queried by the CAHPS methodology.

 

But more importantly these CAM patients also report that their CAM care reduced their need for prescription medication and other medical care.   For example the 2011 Survey showed that 98%% of respondents said their care  " usually " or " always " helped their medical condition.  82% said that CAM care " usually " or " always " reduced their need for prescription drugs.  And finally, 91% of respondents indicate that CAM treatments   " usually " or " always " reduced the need for other medical care.

 

Quite clearly these patients have " voted with their feet " and have found a clinical benefit from CAM.  They also experience a significant cost offset to conventional medical care.  If the goal of the Oregon Health Policy Board is to implement a health care system that can  " deliver patient-centered, quality care with an emphasis on prevention, to reduce waste and inefficiency that comes from unnecessary procedures or emergency room visits, duplicative testing, or lack of coordination, " then assuring that CAM providers have an effective role in CCOs is critical.  Therefore non-discrimination language must be included in Oregon's law dealing with CCOs.

 

This non-discrimination concept is already in the Federal Affordable Care Act in Sec. 2706.  If we as a state are truly serious about changing how we deliver health care, and not just how we pay for it, CCOs must not be allowed to discriminate against non-MD providers such as chiropractic and naturopathic physicians, licensed acupuncturists and massage therapists.  

 

I look forward to helping Oregon be at the forefront of health care innovation.  CAM providers have much to offer in a patient-centered, evidence based and quality-focused health care system. I would be pleased to provide the Board more information.  Do not hesitate to contact me.

 

 

A. Simpson, DC Vice President, Medical DirectorThe CHP Group | Smart Solutions. Healthy Results. csimpson@... 503-619-2041 O | 503-367-0872 C

6600 SW 105th Ave, Ste 115 | Beaverton, OR 97008