Oregon’s naturopathic physicians believe the Affordable Care Act’s provider nondiscrimination clause permits insurers to reimburse them as patients’ primary care providers. Insurance carriers disagree, however, and most cover them under separate, alternative care sections of their policies. The providers hope a bill that will be introduced in the 2015 legislative session will compel insurers to cover them as primary care providers, but others disagree that they have adequate training and expertise to serve in this role.
