Blue Cross/Blue Shield Now Offer CAM Benefits

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Now Offer CAM Benefits
SAN DIEGO--Health plans are increasingly offering some coverage forcomplementary therapies. On Jan. 1, members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield'sService Benefit Plan received partial coverage for alternative therapies such aschiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and health products.
Administered by the American Specialty Health Networks (ASHN), the programprovides members up to a 25-percent discount for ASHN's network ofchiropractors, acupuncturists and massage therapists. These services areavailable without a physician's referral.
In addition, members are able to buy more than 3,000 health care products viaASHN's affiliate, Healthroads.com. According to ASHN, Blue Cross and BlueShield's Service Benefit Plan is the largest employer-sponsored health plan inthe United States--it covers approximately four million federal employees,retirees and their family members.
"We recognize our members' desire for more choices and direct access to CAM[complementary and alternative medicine] services," said Steve Gammarino,senior vice president of the Federal Employee Program and Integrated HealthSystems. However, ASHN noted that its CAM services are not included in theService Benefit Plan premium, and any charges for these services do not counttoward deductibles or out-of-pocket costs. For additional information, visit www.ashn.com.