Section 18.15. Practice responsibilities of acupuncturist and practitioner of Oriental medicine who is not a medical doctor

(a) Responsibilities to patient. In relation to the acupuncture patient, the acupuncturist and the practitioner of Oriental medicine:

(1) Shall perform an acupuncture or Oriental medicine evaluation and develop an acupuncture or Oriental medicine treatment plan.

(2) May treat the patient’s symptoms without the condition being diagnosed by a physician, dentist or podiatrist for 60 calendar days from the date of the first treatment.

(3) May treat the patient’s symptoms beyond 60 calendar days from the date of first treatment if the patient has obtained an examination and diagnosis from a physician, dentist or podiatrist.

(4) Shall promptly refer the patient to a physician, dentist or podiatrist, as appropriate to the patient’s condition, if the acupuncturist or practitioner of Oriental medicine determines that further acupuncture or Oriental medicine treatment is contraindicated for the patient or determines that the patient’s symptoms have worsened.

(5) Shall consult with the patient’s physician, dentist, podiatrist or other health care practitioner upon request of the patient.

(6) Shall cooperate with the patient’s physician, dentist or podiatrist in regard to the coordination of the patient’s care, and comply with restrictions or conditions as directed by the physician, dentist or podiatrist.

(7) May not diagnose a physical or mental ailment or condition or prescribe or dispense a drug. This provision does not prohibit the use of diagnostic billing codes for billing or reimbursement purposes.

(8) Shall comply strictly with sterilization standards relative to aseptic practices.

(9) Shall maintain patient records in a manner consistent with § 16.95 (relating to medical records).

(b) Identification of acupuncturist or practitioner of Oriental medicine. An acupuncturist who is not a medical doctor shall wear a tag or badge with lettering clearly visible to the patient bearing the acupuncturist’s name and the title ‘‘acupuncturist’’ or ‘‘practitioner of Oriental medicine,’’ as appropriate. The use of the word doctor on this tag or badge is prohibited.

The provisions of this § 18.15 amended January 8, 2010, effective January 9, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 250. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (326820) to (326821).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 5.81 (relating to unprofessional and immoral conduct).