There may be a day in our not so distant future that Medicaid will pay for integrative therapies for individuals with a spinal cord injury. If so, a big thank you goes out to Chanda Hilton, founder of The Chanda Plan Foundation. Having a spinal cord injury herself and seeing firsthand the health benefits and cost savings to her insurance company from using integrative therapies, Chanda has advocated for a pilot program within the Colorado Medicaid system. The goal of this pilot program is to prove to legislatures that integrative therapies like acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, and yoga make a significant difference in the lives of individuals living with a spinal cord injury and money will be saved in the Medicaid program.

The pilot has just started and only 67 Medicaid-eligible participants can be enrolled during this limited time period. To find out more information, talk with your Case Manager at the Single Entry Point agency assigned to assess your specific Medicaid services eligibility. You will then be given a Home and Community Based SCI Waiver to receive free integrative therapies. These treatments will be provided by Progressive Health Center.

To learn more about The Chanda Plan Foundation, visit http://www.thechandaplanfoundation.org/