Naturopaths are eligible for licensure in California

But they can't do even minor surgeries or call themselves physicians.

By Myrle Croasdale, AMNews staff. Oct. 20, 2003.

Gov. Gray Davis signed the Naturopathic Doctors Act into law last month, making California the 13th state to license naturopathic doctors.

The legislation retains some physician oversight of NDs when they write prescriptions for pharmaceuticals. But it allows them to practice independently in other areas. Naturopaths consider the legislation a critical victory, key to their goal of being able to act as front-line health care practitioners.

California's physicians say that without insurance reimbursement, NDs will not make significant inroads into primary care.

"I don't think there will be a significant change," said Rebecca Patchin, MD, chair of the California Medical Assn. legislative committee. "People who pursue naturopathy are paying on a cash basis as it is, and it's unlikely the licensing of naturopaths will increase these numbers alone. Only if those with health insurance are able to get reimbursement for this care will this be likely to change."

George DeVries, CEO of American Specialty Health Plans, a company that offers insurance products to cover alternative medicine to full-service health plans, said he intends to try to add naturopathic services to that company's product line.

The company already has 4 million members in the state with insurance for chiropractic treatment and a small number with acupuncture coverage.

The American Assn. of Naturopathic Physicians said state employees in Oregon, Washington and Connecticut have naturopathy coverage, but otherwise it's unusual to find it offered as a benefit.