What
is OMT?
What
is Medical Acupuncture?
About
Dr. Park
Office
Information
Directions
Frequently
Asked Questions
Questions Regarding Treatment
What do I wear when I am receiving OMT or acupuncture?
What is the difference between an Osteopathic Physician (DO) and a Chiropractor (DC)?
How long does a treatment session take?
What are the complications of OMT?
Questions Regarding Payment
What forms of payment do you accept?
What insurance plans do you accept?
What do I
wear when I am receiving OMT or acupuncture?
Because the doctor needs to have access to your back, women are asked to wear
a halter top or a bikini top. A patient gown may be worn on top of this if
you wish. Shorts are also highly recommended for ease of mobility and for
access of certain acupuncture points on the legs. Be assured that at no time
will you ever be fully undressed. A female "chaperone" is always
available.
What is the difference between an Osteopathic Physician (DO) and a Chiropractor
(DC)?
A DO holds a medical license. This licensure gives a DO the same exact privileges
as an MD. This means a DO may write prescriptions, give medication injections,
and even perform surgery. Unlike a DO, a chiropractor is not a phsycian and
can not do these things. Although some manipulation techniques are similar,
there is a huge difference in medical training. Also, OMT techinques are generally
more gentle and fewer treatments sessions are recommended.
How long does a treatment session take?
Thrity minute sessions are usually scheduled. If required and time permits,
Dr. Park usually spends additional time. Since Dr. Park does all the treatments
himself, you will not see a separate physical therapist or a separate acupuncturist.
What are the complications of OMT?
Complications of manipulation are rare. The most common is dizziness right
after the treatment. This usually goes away within a few minutes. Another
common reaction is soreness and even increased pain several hours after treatment.
This is often called the "Healing Crisis" and is quite normal. This
usually resolves in 24 hours.
Potential serious complications include bony fractures, dislocation, and stroke. Although extremely rare, these may happen and if they do, are almost always due to "cracking" or "spinal adjustments". Unlike Chiropractic, OMT employs many other techniques besides "cracking". Rest assured that Dr. Park will avoid certain techniques if he thinks you are at risk for complications due to your medical condition, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, etc...
What are the complications of acupuncture?
The complications are the same as getting any needle shot, like a tetanus
shot or a tuberculosis skin test shot. However, since acupuncture needles
are much thinner and are not hollow, the complication rates are much smaller
than getting a regular needle shot.
The potential risks are, but not limited to, infections, bleeding, bruising , localized pain, swelling, nerve damage and lung puncture.
Does acupuncture hurt?
This is a difficult question to answer, but for the most part NO. Acupuncture
needles are so thin, that the average patient usually does not notice them
being inserted. If they do, it has been reported to feel like a tiny mosquito
bite. Keep in mind that everyone tolerates pain differently. In this office,
only the highest quality acupuncture needles are used. They are laser cut,
Teflon-coated, and single use needles. In other words, they are the most painless
and safe needles available in the market.
What forms
of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, credit cards, checks, and some insurance plans.
What insurance plans do you accept?
Medicare, 1199, and No-Fault insurances are accepted. Eventhough Dr.Park does
not accept HMO and PPO plans, you can still get reimbursed from your insurance
company for his services. This depends on whether your insurance plan has
out-of-network benefits. Please check with your insurance carrier.
How does out-of-network reimbursement work?
Out-of-network reimbursement is very similar to the old form of medical insurance.
You, the patient, pays the physician at the time of treatment and then a claim
is submitted to your insurance carrier. (Our office staff will gladly help
you with this process) Within 30 days, by law, you will receive a check from
your insurance plan for whatever percentage is covered by your plan. Most
decent plans cover 70% to 80% of the bill after the deductible has been met.
Please call your insurance company and find out what your out-of-network benefits
are.
Why don't you accept all insurance plans?
There are several reason why this office does not participate in all insurance
plans. Insurance companies have a tendency to delay payments to a physician
for as long as possible in hopes that the physician will just "forget"
about it. There are also many times when insurance companies will flat out
deny payments to the physician because someone from their office will state
that the treatment was not necessary. This presents a problem in two ways.
First, I believe that an insurance office worker should not dictate what is
proper medical treatment. Second, payment delays and denials result in problems
with office overhead costs.
Insurance companies, however, will treat you differently. You are their customer, not the doctor. In other words, they make money by having you (or your employer) pay the premiums. Also, by law they must pay you within 30 days.
Yet another reason is to avoid referal forms and pre-authorization processes. Dr. Park prides in spending as much time with the patient as possible. This would not be possible if he needs to spend time on the phone with insurance agents.
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What
is OMT?
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What
is Medical Acupuncture?
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About
Dr. Park
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Office
Information
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Directions
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Frequently
Asked Questions
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