Homeopathy and managed care: Manageable or unmanageable

Managed care presents a challenge to homeopaths and to consumers of homeopa thic care. If homeopaths want to be a part of managed care, they will have to organize themselves to a higher level of professional order. Although th e vast majority of practicing homeopaths are licensed in one of many conven tional health professions, with the medical license being the most common, homeopaths need to develop more clearly defined educational standards and c ertification programs in the specialty of homeopathic medicine, and they ne ed to have these programs certified by respected, independent agencies. The small number of homeopaths who are unlicensed will either have to become l icensed or work with those who are and whose malpractice insurance would co ver their care. This article notes that there is a small but significant bo dy of clinical research and additional evidence that homeopathic care is co st effective. A recent increase in public and private research monies is le ading to a larger body of evidence that homeopathic medicines are effective , and this will help it achieve greater acceptance and recognition from gov ernmental bodies, medical professional associations, and managed care organ izations. Reasons are given as to why managed care organizations will play a leading role in advocating that consumers learn to use homeopathic medici nes for non-emergency self-care ailments as a way to empower them to take g reater control over their health and to reduce doctor visits and hospitaliz ations.