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INSURANCE COMPANIES REIMBURSE FOR DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS/
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AS PITCHED BATTLE ENSUES
by John Hammell, Political Coordinator, Life Extension Foundation
Political Office 1534 Polk St. Hollywood, FL 33020 USA
jhammell@ix.netcom.com, 1-800-333-2553, FAX 954-929-0507
copyright 1996
Many Foundation members and customers have been frustrated for
years by their insurance companies abject unwillingness to
reimburse for alternative treatments and for dietary supplements
that have been prescribed by their physicians, but the winds of
change are beginning to blow in America and we must all continue to
push hard for passage of The Access to Medical Treatment Act as the
insurance industry FINALLY climbs aboard our bandwagon!
American Western Life, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Preventive Medical
Research Institute: (payor support by Mutual of Omaha Nationwide,
Humana Health Plans of South Florida, Blue Shield of CA, Blue Cross
of CA, Blue-Cross, Blue Shield of CA, BCBS of Iowa, BCBS of South
Carolina,Provident Healthcare, Mass Mutual, Share United
Healthcare, Heritage (John Deere), Oxford Health Plan, Companion
Healthcare, Central Stated Health and Life of Omaha), and
Alternative Health Group are among the growing number of insurance
companies that now finally recognize the simple fact that "an ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
This concept has been well understood in China for centuries, and
we're finally beginning to implement it here in the United States,
hopefully fast enough to stave off total economic ruin. The
companies we're reporting on here are pioneers within the insurance
industry, and LEF salutes their fine example.
A recent survey in the New England Journal of Medicine found that
in 1990, more than one third of Americans sought treatment outside
mainstream allopathic circles, through practitioners such as those
we've been recommending to our members since we were founded
sixteen years ago.
LEF members and others who take an active interest in their health
management finally have some lower cost insurance options to reward
their commitment!
Passage of health freedom legislation has helped create the climate
where insurors could make these programs available, and we urge
members to continue pushing hard to pass the Access to Medical
Treatment Act, the Food and Dietary Consumer Information Act, as
well as similar legislation at the state level.
AMERICAN WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
The oldest and most comprehensive health plan covering alternative
therapies and dietary supplements was started in 1993 by American
Western Life and is currently available to people in California,
Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. As we go to press they are
expanding into Oregon. AWL has screened and selected over 1000
alternative practitioners so far who practice everything from
arromatherapy and reflexology to hypnosis and naturopathy.
The Wellness Plan includes integrated, holistic health disciplines
such as acupuncture, biofeedback, body work and massage therapy,
yoga therapists, chiropractic, nutritional consultants,
naturopathy, homeopathy, and Ayurvedic medicine as part of its
medical coverage along with standard or allopathic treatment. AWL
clients also have access to over 650 hospitals and 41,000 doctors.
The Wellness Plan requires that the consumer become actively
involved in managing their health. Participants learn how to become
responsible for preventing disease and treating minor ailments
through a comprehensive set of educational materials and