Regulatory Announcements

Dear Members of the Virginia Board of Health Professions Regulatory Research Committee,

The FNMRA appreciates this opportunity to illustrate the need for licensure of qualified naturopathic doctors (NDs) in Virginia. NDs who have graduated from a CNME-accredited naturopathic medicine program have been trained to be primary care providers. When they have passed competency-based national naturopathic licensing examinations, they have demonstrated that they are competent to safely and effectively use naturopathic medicine to treat disease and optimize health. continue reading here

The AANP's released Fact Sheet on Regulatory Agency Warning Letters on June 5, 2020. It replaces/supercedes the AANP's last guidelines.

NABNE is moving forward on the assumption that it will be possible to administer the NPLEX Examinations as planned on August 4-7, 2020, and then release scores to the regulatory authorities in the typical time frame, which is late September 2020.

NABNE clarified that as circumstances continue to change rapidly, the exam administration might need to be postponed in order to comply with public-safety requirements. NABNE will continue to monitor developments of the COVID-19 crisis and will update the website regarding the August 2020 NPLEX exam administration if changes must be made. By July 15, 2020, NABNE will determine if the August 2020 test administration will proceed as scheduled at all test sites.

More information can be found at: https://www.nabne.org/the-nplex-covid-19/

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Urges Authorities to Include and Use
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors in Plans to Combat the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic.

The Association calls for increased access to care and telemedicine as a way to promote health and safety of those at the highest risk.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), representing 8,000 licensed
naturopathic doctors (NDs) in the United States, encourages all government officials
coordinating the national response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19) to
to utilize all licensed healthcare professionals in this health emergency, including
NDs. Licensed NDs work collaboratively across all forms of medicine, and in regulated
states are already integrated into health systems. Serving in primary and specialty care,
NDs are ready, willing, and able to support other medical professionals in changing the
trajectory of this public health crisis.

Read the entire letter here.

It has come to the attention of the FNMRA that some naturopathic doctors have been inappropriately advertising treatments for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. Inappropriate advertising is detrimental to the health of the public at this time of crisis.

On June 5, 2020 the AANP released new guidelines that replace/supercede any previous guidance.

Click here to see full language guidelines

RE: Expand Access to Vital Telehealth Services in COVID-19 Supplemental Appropriation

The mission of the Federation of Naturopathic Medicine Regulatory Authorities (FMNRA) is to protect the public by facilitating communication between naturopathic regulatory authorities, and by promoting standards of excellence in the regulation of naturopathic medicine. The members of the FNMRA are the state naturopathic licensing boards and committees.

The FNMRA appreciates the recent reforms that Medicare has already made for telehealth services (Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act), but we believe that additional reforms are still needed. The country’s naturopathic doctors (NDs) are still limited by the current telehealth reforms. To meet the demands of Americans during this COVID-19 pandemic, the Federation is asking that additional changes be made to include NDs in the telehealth services supplemental appropriation. This change will enable NDs (who are primary care providers) to better serve Americans during this crisis.

We ask for your support to expand access to vital telehealth services in the COVID-19
supplemental appropriation, and we urge you to include a provision that would provide the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the authority to waive existing Medicare restrictions on telehealth visits during a public health emergency.

Read the entire letter here.

RE: Potential Aid for Naturopathic Doctors and Organizations Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The mission of the Federation of Naturopathic Medicine Regulatory Authorities (FNMRA) is to protect the public by connecting regulatory authorities and promoting standards of excellence in the regulation of naturopathic medicine.

We are aware that the Trump Administration and Congress are considering measures to support cash-flow assistance amid the COVID-19 outbreak, and we urge that licensed naturopathic doctors and their tax-exempt entities (clinics, academic institutions and other organizations) be included in any temporary or other aid designed to stem the economic fallout resulting from COVID-19.

Inclusion in the bill wording will provide support for naturopathic doctors (NDs) who are primary care providers that have an important role in helping American citizens cope with the ongoing pandemic and its aftermath. Many naturopathic doctors are small-business owners or work as independent contractors. Most are being required to close down their businesses as they comply with the need for social distancing to stem the spread of the virus.

Read the entire letter here.

Medicine Talk Professional (https://www.medicinetalkpro.org/continuing-education) has been successfully accredited by the North American Naturopathic Continuing Education Council for Full Accreditation. This is based on the review of the submitted materials, which demonstrate compliance with the NANCEAC Standards. The term of accreditation is 5 years.

NANCEAC looks forward to partnering with Med Talk Pro to bring outstanding continuing education to the naturopathic profession.

Gastroenterology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (https://www.gastroanp.org/)has been successfully accredited by the North American Naturopathic Continuing Education Council for Full Accreditation. This is based on the review of the submitted materials, which demonstrate compliance with the NANCEAC Standards. The term of accreditation is 5 years.

NANCEAC looks forward to partnering with GastroANP to bring outstanding continuing education to the naturopathic profession.

On March 25, 2019 Gov. Brad Little signed HB 244 establishing provisions to license naturopathic doctors in Idaho. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2019.

Idaho plans to start licensing NDs in July of 2020.

Congratulations to Idaho for protecting the public by establishing licensing laws for naturopathic doctors.

Link to Idaho Chapter of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians