New Mexico Employers Can Enrich Their Health Benefits Through New Complementary Health Care Coverages.

SAN DIEGO -- New Program Helps Employers Meet Growing Demand for Alternative Care without Squeezing the Bottom Line

American Specialty Health (ASH), the nation's largest complementary health care organization, is offering expanded direct-to-employer complementary health care benefits in New Mexico through its subsidiary, American Specialty Health Insurance Company (ASH Insurance). Now, New Mexico employers with 51 or more employees have access to PPO benefits, including out-of-state coverage for benefits such as massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic/manual manipulation.

Employers are able to purchase these benefits as a supplemental group benefit, similar to purchasing vision, dental, or behavioral health coverage.

"In these days of escalating health benefit increases, business owners view complementary and alternative, or holistic, health benefits as a positive way to enhance their employee benefit package at a relatively low cost compared to traditional medical options," said Anne Sperling, a health insurance broker at Daniels Insurance in Santa Fe, N.M. "In fact, these types of plans are some of the few programs employers are continuing to add to their health benefit packages as traditional health care costs continue to rise in price and utilization in the current market."

According to Rio Rancho, N.M.-based chiropractor Lonnie Peets, DC, of Lifetime Chiropractic, a participant in the ASH Insurance local provider network, the availability of direct purchase complementary coverage is of increasing importance to patients. "Roughly half of all Americans use some form of complementary health care each year," said Dr. Peets. "These alternative therapies offer broader treatment options for patients, especially those who suffer with chronic or life-threatening conditions. As indicated by new research released this year, cancer patients are twice as likely to turn to acupuncture and herbal therapies in addition to their medical treatments as people suffering from other diseases. Typically they are looking to new, less invasive and more holistic types of therapies, which they may use in conjunction with traditional medical treatments."

"Likewise," added Dr. Peets, "chronically ill patients -- such as those who may have persistent neck or back pain -- seek alternative care such as chiropractic because traditional medicine hasn't resolved their health problems."

"These product offerings in New Mexico are part of ASH Insurance's strategy to help meet today's heightened consumer demand and to fulfill employer desire for such coverage," said George DeVries, president and chief executive officer of ASH.

Employees covered by ASH can access a state network of more than 130 contracted providers. And when insureds are traveling, they have access to a national provider network of more than 22,000 contracted acupuncturists, chiropractors, dietitians, massage therapists, medical doctors, and osteopathic physicians. In many cases, ASH Insurance may also cover employees residing in other states.

ASH Insurance offers a broad range of benefit options, combinations, and plans for employers and their employees.

ASH is the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care, providing health benefit, health education, and affinity network programs to employer groups, trust funds, health plans, and insurance carriers nationwide. Based in San Diego, ASH has over 500 employees and more than 9 million members in benefit programs nationwide. Its subsidiary, ASH Insurance, is currently licensed or admitted as an insurer in 42 states and the District of Columbia. For more information about American Specialty Health, visit ASHCompanies.com.