2025 Updates: Medicare, Insurance & Herbal Medicine News
Jan 1, 2025 by Jason GauruderHappy New Year!
Happy New Year, everyone! We hope you had a rejuvenating holiday season filled with relaxation and joy. As we step into 2025, we’re excited to bring you regular newsletters covering a variety of health topics, with a focus on how Chinese Medicine can support your well-being.
In these newsletters, we’ll explore:
- How acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine address various conditions.
- The latest research in the field of Chinese Medicine.
- Insights into the therapeutic uses of different herbs in our clinic.
If you have specific topics you’d like us to dive into, we’d love to hear from you!
Medicare Coverage Update
At the recent American Society of Acupuncturists (ASA) meeting, we were told that there will be a significant push with the new federal congress to have acupuncturists added to the provider list for Medicare. This would allow our clinic to participate and bill Medicare for acupuncture services in relation to low back pain, and eventually expand from there.
The Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act (H.R. 3133) was unable to pass due to the lame duck session but will be reintroduced under bipartisan sponsorship. We are encouraged that in the face of the current opioid/fentanyl crisis the adding of this one sentence to Medicare law will open up accessibility to so many Americans who desperately need it and cannot afford it without the aid of insurance. The ASA has assured us that the reimbursement for providers will allow us to participate and add more providers to our practice since there is already a huge demand. Please contact your congress person/senator and encourage them to pass this ASAP!
We’ll keep you updated as developments unfold.
📋 Insurance Policy for 2025
Garuda Health will continue providing super bills but will not participate with insurance carriers this year. Navigating the complexities of insurance coverage—especially varying deductibles, conditions, and coding—has proven challenging and unsustainable for our clinic.
Our goal is to keep our prices as competitive as possible while ensuring the highest quality of care. Unfortunately, current reimbursement rates offered by insurers make direct participation unfeasible and is becoming a challenge for many medical offices.
Thank you for understanding as we prioritize delivering the time and care we want to give.
Herbal Medicine Tariff Updates
The tariffs on Chinese herbal products imposed during the last Trump did contribute to a price increase here at the clinic, and during the Biden administration those tariffs were not lifted. While no new tariffs are confirmed for 2025, potential increases could affect pricing as the herbs can only be grown in China.
To mitigate costs, we’re exploring suppliers in Taiwan, where the herbs still come from China and are of the same quality, but are processed into granules in their facilities. In the current market they are more expensive despite Taiwan having no tariffs placed on them, but this may change if more suppliers navigate around Chinese imposed tariffs.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
- Call Lia at the front desk: (248) 951-8897
- Email Jason: [email protected]
Help us reach more people by leaving us a review on Google Maps
From all of us at Garuda Health, thank you for being part of our community. Here’s to a happy, healthy 2025!
Warm wishes,
The Garuda Health Team
