MS HB82

Removes requirement for acupuncture practitioners to obtain written referral or prescription from a physician before performing acupuncture.

Permits acupuncture practitioners to treat patients who have been evaluated by a licensed physician or dentist within 12 months before treatment, or who were referred by a chiropractor if treatment begins within 30 days of referral.

Allows acupuncture practitioners to treat smoking addiction, weight loss, chronic pain, alcoholism, or substance abuse without physician, dentist, or chiropractor evaluation or referral.

Requires practitioners to recommend physician or dentist evaluation if chronic pain, alcoholism, or substance abuse patients show no substantial improvement after 20 treatments or 2 months, whichever comes first.

Repeals Section 73-71-9 establishing requirements for supervising physicians of acupuncture practitioners, effective July 1, 2016.