Beginning July 1, 1999, certain WellPath members across North Carolina and South Carolina will have access to a broad range of alternative medicine and therapy services at a preferred rate, including acupuncture, naturopathy, stress management, massage therapy, fitness centers, and nutritional counseling.

WellPath members simply will show their member identification cards to receive a minimum 20 percent off the price of services at participating alternative practitioners and generally a 10 percent discount from participating fitness centers and retail stores.

"Our members have told us that they would like alternative care options," said Mike King, vice president of sales and marketing. "Our easy-to-use program will offer our members this alternative when it comes to obtaining services."

Alternative care options are becoming more important to consumers, according to the Landmark Report on Public Perceptions of Alternative Care (1998). The report cites that a large proportion of the U. S. population believes that alternative approaches to health care are complementary in relationship to traditional medicine approaches.

According to the report, 67 percent of consumers said the availability of an alternative health care component was an important consideration in choosing a health plan, and 42 percent of those polled indicated past or current use of alternative care services.

Members do not need a referral from their Primary Care Physician to see an alternative practitioner, although WellPath recommends that members keep their doctors updated on any visits and treatments.

All practitioners participating in the new discount program are screened and selected for participation by Charlotte-based Alternative Healthcare Options (AHO). "We are pleased to select a local company located in the same region as many of our members," King said. "AHO allows us to maintain our regional ties and build on our philosophy that community providers, working with their patients, are the best decision-makers when it comes to the provision of services to WellPath members."

Practitioners who want to participate in the AHO network must follow an application and review process, and meet certain training, licensure and experience requirements. They are reviewed by a team of peers on a wide range of guidelines, including quality and availability of services, facility standards and location.

The WellPath Alternative Medicine Program will be available to all members with the exception of WellPath's Federal and State accounts; due to agreements with those groups in place at this time.