New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 14 - DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HYGIENE
Chapter XXI - OFFICE OF ALCOHOLISM AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
Part 830 - Acupuncture Therapy In Alcoholism And Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
Section 830.4 - Acupuncture therapy

Universal Citation: 14 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 830.4

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024

(a) Initial services. Acupuncture may be effective in some patients to reduce cravings and relieve anxiety, thereby assisting patients in achieving and sustaining recovery from substance use disorder.

(1) Acupuncture shall not be the exclusive method of treatment for any patient. In an outpatient program, when acupuncture is provided it must be part of an office visit including at least one other service.

(2) Acupuncture therapy, administered pursuant to this section, may be an initial service provided on demand to stabilize and engage a patient during the period of treatment/recovery plan development or a service included in and administered pursuant to a patient's treatment/recovery plan.

(b) Physician approval; monitoring.

(1) A program's medical director shall, in consultation with the acupuncturist, develop a protocol to determine if a patient requires a medical evaluation prior to acupuncture therapy. No patient requiring a medical evaluation in accordance with such protocol shall receive acupuncture therapy unless a physician has reviewed the patient's medical condition and provided written authorization for acupuncture therapy.

(2) Any patient receiving acupuncture therapy shall be monitored by a clinical staff member during the conduct of an acupuncture therapy session to ensure counseling and clinical intervention as necessary.

(3) All acupuncture therapy sessions must be documented in a patient case record and signed by both the therapist and the monitoring clinical staff member.

(c) Treatment/Recovery plan.

(1) Acupuncture therapy is limited to the treatment of addictive disorders as indicated in the treatment/recovery plan.

(2) The individual treatment/recovery plan must contain a schedule of acupuncture sessions tailored to the patient's initial and evolving needs including, frequency, duration and clinical justification.

(3) Acupuncture therapy must be provided either immediately preceding or following an otherwise permissible clinical service.

(d) Staffing. Acupuncture therapy in OASAS certified facilities shall only be performed by the following persons:

(1) a licensed or certified Acupuncturist who has had at least one year of employment experience in the treatment of addictive disorders or completed a training program in the treatment of addictive disorders during the first six (6) months of employment; or

(2) an acupuncture detoxification therapist who is not licensed or certified but who is a clinical staff member who has successfully completed a course of acupuncture training acceptable to the state Education Department under Article 160 of the Education Law and who practices acupuncture under the supervision of:
(i) a licensed or certified Acupuncturist pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subdivision; and

(ii) the clinical supervisor or medical director of the program.

(e) Policies. Programs providing acupuncture therapy must develop and implement policies and procedures in consultation with the program Medical Director including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) training of all acupuncture therapists regarding infection control, body fluids;

(2) recommended vaccinations;

(3) regular on-site clinical supervision of licensed and unlicensed acupuncture therapists;

(4) written patient informed consent;

(5) space requirements;

(6) use of and disposal of needles or other acupressure implements consistent with NYS public health law and environmental conservation law.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New York may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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