December
1999 ● Vol. 4, No. 6
Richard G. Dunn, CEO of North
Carolina based Alternative Healthcare Options, recently shared with The
Integrator details of new covered CAM benefits his network has sold to
self-funded groups in his base state.
Besides credentialing providers, AHO
is re-pricing (receiving the charged from the provider and submitting them to
the TPA based on the network’s fee schedule), then distributing
payments.
Despite lack of naturopathic
licensing in North Carolina AHO has taken the position that, “if an employer
wants a benefit, AHO will offer it.” Dunn
states that credentialing, if anything is more difficult for NDs.
AHO has credentialed five of the
eight graduates of the three federally recognized naturopathic educational
programs who are practicing in his state.
AHO’s partner in the unusual natural drug formulary is a natural
products firm that Dunn states “formulates based on recommendations in the
German Commission E.” Agents
must be prescribed by one of the credentialed providers “or by an MD.”
AHO sends the request to the firm, which then fulfills the order.
Dunn sees the self-insured market picking up.
He notes that at least one TPA took
on AHO’s products as a distinguishing characteristic in the firm’s
marketing to employers Reveals Dunn: “One
agent from TPA was very skeptical until I took him to an enrollment Meeting,
and when we left he said: “did
you see their eyes light up when you talked about acupuncture and the natural
formulary?”
While AHO’s business model focuses
on covered benefits, the firm has also lined up the first discount product in
North Carolina, through the WellPath HMO. (704) 523-3440
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