SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its whole-person care model, Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) announced today that it will cover acupuncture for Medicaid members statewide age 18 and up who experience chronic pain.
“We’re committed to improving the health of our members, which is why we’re proud to now offer our Medicaid members the most robust acupuncture coverage in the state as an alternative treatment option for chronic pain management,” said Leanne Berge, CEO of CHPW.
This new offering aims to provide members and providers with treatment options for chronic pain beyond prescription opioids.
“Increasing the availability of non-opioid approaches to pain treatment can help to stop addiction before it begins,” said Dr. Paul Sherman, Chief Medical Officer at CHPW.
Acupuncture has had an impact on reducing chronic pain, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
As Washington state continues to battle the opioid epidemic, it is increasingly important to consider offering alternative treatment methods that alleviate reliance on opioids. The Washington Department of Health reported last year that 710 people in Washington died from an opioid overdose.
CHPW remains committed to curbing opioid misuse through an integrated approach to care, bringing together relevant data from multiple sources to prevent lapses in care.
CHPW believes continuous innovation in care delivery is key and has been directly supporting integrated care models that allow for collaboration among primary care providers and behavioral health providers for more than a decade. CHPW is proud to celebrate 27 years of delivering pioneering, accessible managed care services that improve the health of communities.
About CHPW
Founded in 1992 by a network of community health centers in Washington state, Community Health Plan of Washington is a community-governed, local not-for-profit health plan. CHPW’s mission is to deliver accessible managed care services that meet the needs and improve the health of our communities. CHPW believes in the power of community; when people stand together, they stand stronger and are able to help each other reach their best health. CHPW serves approximately 270,000 members through Medicaid and Medicare programs across the state. To learn more, visit chpw.org or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
