ALTERNATIVE HEALTH & WELLNESS
The integration of alternative medicine into conventional western medicine is quickly revolutionizing the landscape of the American healthcare system. Patients and providers are increasingly using alternative methods of care that do not rely on invasive procedures or long term use of pharmaceuticals. The Alternative Medicine Network is one of the nation's leading providers of integrative medicine. Our national network of over 16,000 practitioners provides care to millions of members all across the country.
Highlights
STATISTICS
"With 62 percent of the American public using CAM, from dietary supplements to chiropractic, there is not only a great need to inform conventional and CAM health care professionals, but also to provide the public with information they can use to make decisions about their health care options," said Stephen E. Straus, M.D., NCCAM Director.
"In a [Mayo Clinic] study of 50 patients, six acupuncture treatments given over two to three weeks significantly improved their symptoms of pain and fatigue." Time, 2005
"Americans make more visits to nonconventional healers (some 600 million a year) than we do to M.D.s and spend more money out-of-pocket to do so about $30 billion a year by recent estimates." Newsweek, 12/2002
"A recent study performed by the American Massage Therapy Association revealed that more than one-quarter (28 percent) of consumers received a massage from a massage therapist in the past five years, up from just 17 percent in 1997. Eighteen percent said they had a massage in the past 12 months. Thats 10 percentage points higher than was reported in 1997." American Massage Therapy Association, 8/2002
ALTERNATIVE HEALTH & WELLNESS FAQ
Q. What is Alternative Medicine?
A. Alternative Medicine includes any of the various systems of healing or treating disease (such as acupuncture, homeopathy, or herbal medicine) not included in the traditional medical curricula taught in the
Q. Why is Alternative Medicine needed?
A. More and more patients are finding that alternative medicine has a great deal to offer, especially for treating chronic conditions with which Western Medicine has little success. The vast majority of patients, however, do not see conventional and unconventional therapies as an either/or proposition. Rather, they seek to make informed, personal choices about how to integrate both.
Q. What kind of problems does Alternative Medicine deal with?
A. Alternative Medicine has been used to treat a vast array of both physical and emotional ailments, from back problems, anxiety, headaches, and chronic pain to cancer or tumors.
Q. How much can I save with this benefit?
A. The exact amount a member will save depends upon the provider selected. Network providers offer discounts from 10% to 30%. After a provider is selected, it is recommended that the member call the provider's office to learn what level of discount is offered.
Q. Is there a limited number of times the Alternative Medicine benefit may be used?
A. No. Members and their legal dependents may use this benefit as frequently as they wish.
Q. Can members go to any Alternative Medicine Provider to receive a discount?
A. To receive a discount on services, members must go to a participating provider. To locate a participating provider, the member should call the toll-free number located on the membership card and speak with a member services representative.
Q. Is there someone who can answer questions about the Alternative Medicine discount benefit?
A. Yes. Simply call the toll-free number on the back of your membership card. Member Services Representatives are standing by to answer any questions?