Integrative Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
Kerry Jenni MS, L.Ac. and Joshua Singer MS, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncturists
Licensed Acupuncturists
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Physician's Referral?
A referral is not required for acupuncture treatment. The staff at IAOM works closely with the physicians at CVMC Montpelier Integrative Family Health and are happy to share your progress if you request it.
Is it safe?
Acupuncturists are required by law to use disposable, one-time-use sterilized needles.
Will it hurt?
There is a sensation when the acupuncture needle is inserted, which most people do not describe as painful. The gauge of the acupuncture needle is 3 times smaller then a hypodermic needle, used for most blood draws. Children have been known to not even notice when an acupuncture needle is inserted. Patients often relax during their acupuncture treatment, many even fall asleep.
How deep do the needles go?
The depth of insertion as well as the angle of insertion, varies depending upon the location of the acupuncture point and the patient's body size. Needle depth may be as shallow as 1/16 of an inch to several inches.
How many needles do you use?
The number of needles varies depending upon condition, we estimate the use of 10 needles per treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required and the frequency of treatments will vary depending upon your condition and your overall health. Your practitioner can best assess this question after your first appointment.
Acupuncture has an accumulative effect, often results are improved for a longer time after each session. A typical series of treatments may be 6 treatments once per week, with follow up visits once every two weeks for 1-2 months. For an acute condition, like sciatica, a patient may be seen a total of 3-4 times, over the course of 1-2 weeks and the condition is often resolved.
What type of training do the practitioners have?
Licensed Acupuncturists are required to have obtained a Masters of Science degree in Acupuncture, a 3.5 year program offering over 3,000 hours of training. Both Kerry Jenni and Joshua Singer attended acupuncture programs with requirements focusing on western sciences. Degree programs require internships at local clinics where practitioners acquire clinical skills. After graduation, acupuncturists complete national examinations provided by the N.C.C.A.O.M. and apply for a state license. Vermont requires licensed acupuncturists to maintain their licenses via continuing education units each year. Kerry and Joshua are also nationally board certified in acupuncture and qualified Diplomates in Acupuncture, this is not a requirement but an additional certification the providers chose to maintain.
What is the difference between a licensed acupuncturists and other practitioners that offer acupuncture?
The training and competency of a licensed acupuncturist is in sharp contrast to the acupuncture training of other healthcare professionals such as chiropractors or registered nurses or even medical doctors who typically receive 100-300 hours of abbreviated training, versus 3,000 hours of training for L.Ac's. These other healthcare professionals only treat a limited number of points. Licensed Acupuncturists are also trained in standard medical history gathering, safety, and ethics, and recognition of when to refer patients to other health care professionals or consult with other medical practitioners.
What is a treatment like?
Your first visit to IAOM will take a full hour. We ask patients to arrive early to complete an intake form, or downlaod them here, asking about your health history. Your practitioner will spend time with you during your first visit to ask questions about your entire health history, even events that may not seem related to your primary complaint that day. IAOM practitioners use traditional diagnostic tools of looking at your tongue and feeling your pulses to analyze your condition according to traditional Chinese medicine. An individualized treatment plan will be created for you, using the five branches of Chinese medicine. Your treatment may include massage, cupping, moxibustion, nutritional advice, herbal therapeutics, or meditation techniques in addition to acupuncture. Each treatment is unique, depending upon your condition the day of your treatment. Follow up treatments will take about 50 minutes. Your practitioner will review your condition with you and continue your treatment plan at each visit.
What is the cost for a treatment?
Cost of treatment varies depending upon which procedures are required. We offer a time of service discount to our out of pocket expense patients, first visits for are $95, return visits are $75. Additional fees for adjunctive therapies will be discussed prior to administration for your approval.
Co-pay's vary, please check with your insurance company, we are considered "specialists" on most plans.
The fee is due the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, and credit cards.
Will insurance cover my treatment costs?
Insurance plans vary. We recommend that you call the phone number on your insurance card and ask if acupuncture (97810) is covered. We are CIGNA in network providers. Not all CIGNA plans cover acupuncture (97810). We will bill CIGNA directly if your plan includes acupuncture services.
We will bill other insurance companies for our patients as out of network providers if acupuncture is included in your plan. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont does not currently cover acupuncture, nor allow for acupuncturists to be in network providers, so it is an out of pocket expense.
Currently, acupuncture is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are eligible for acupuncture coverage. Please request a receipt or pay with your Flex Spending card at the time of service.
Workers Compensation and Personal Injury will usually cover acupuncture when an injury occurs at the work place or an auto accident. Please bring all information regarding your claim to your first visit.
Full payment, or co-pay if applicable, is required to IAOM on the day of your treatment.
We offer $10 Group Acupuncture treatments to provide treatment affordable for all. More information HERE
What should I wear to my treatment?
Special clothing is not required to receive acupuncture. Many treatments do not require patients to remove any clothing. For some treatments body parts are best reached by disrobing. A cover/gown will either be provided or proper draping of sheet implemented if this is required. If you prefer to bring a change or comfortable clothes, please do so.
What are your hours of operation?
A practitioner is available Monday- Wednesday 9am-7pm and Thursday and Friday 9am-5pm
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment, please call Integrative Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at 802-223-4738
How do I reschedule an appointment?
IAOM requires 24 hour notice to reschedule your appointment. Patients who reschedule with less then 24 hour notice will be subject to a fee of $40. "No Shows" will be charged 100% of the scheduled treatment fee. Insurance will not cover "no shows" or late cancellation fees and are the responsibility of the patient. Please call 802-223-4738 to reschedule.
A referral is not required for acupuncture treatment. The staff at IAOM works closely with the physicians at CVMC Montpelier Integrative Family Health and are happy to share your progress if you request it.
Is it safe?
Acupuncturists are required by law to use disposable, one-time-use sterilized needles.
Since bleeding is minimal and it is necessary for the acupuncturist to feel the needle as it punctures the skin there is no need for acupuncturists to wear gloves. It is quite reassuring to review the medical literature and not find one documented case where an acupuncturist has transmitted a "personal" infectious disease to a patient or vice versa.
Will it hurt?
There is a sensation when the acupuncture needle is inserted, which most people do not describe as painful. The gauge of the acupuncture needle is 3 times smaller then a hypodermic needle, used for most blood draws. Children have been known to not even notice when an acupuncture needle is inserted. Patients often relax during their acupuncture treatment, many even fall asleep.
How deep do the needles go?
The depth of insertion as well as the angle of insertion, varies depending upon the location of the acupuncture point and the patient's body size. Needle depth may be as shallow as 1/16 of an inch to several inches.
How many needles do you use?
The number of needles varies depending upon condition, we estimate the use of 10 needles per treatment.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required and the frequency of treatments will vary depending upon your condition and your overall health. Your practitioner can best assess this question after your first appointment.
Acupuncture has an accumulative effect, often results are improved for a longer time after each session. A typical series of treatments may be 6 treatments once per week, with follow up visits once every two weeks for 1-2 months. For an acute condition, like sciatica, a patient may be seen a total of 3-4 times, over the course of 1-2 weeks and the condition is often resolved.
What type of training do the practitioners have?
Licensed Acupuncturists are required to have obtained a Masters of Science degree in Acupuncture, a 3.5 year program offering over 3,000 hours of training. Both Kerry Jenni and Joshua Singer attended acupuncture programs with requirements focusing on western sciences. Degree programs require internships at local clinics where practitioners acquire clinical skills. After graduation, acupuncturists complete national examinations provided by the N.C.C.A.O.M. and apply for a state license. Vermont requires licensed acupuncturists to maintain their licenses via continuing education units each year. Kerry and Joshua are also nationally board certified in acupuncture and qualified Diplomates in Acupuncture, this is not a requirement but an additional certification the providers chose to maintain.
What is the difference between a licensed acupuncturists and other practitioners that offer acupuncture?
The training and competency of a licensed acupuncturist is in sharp contrast to the acupuncture training of other healthcare professionals such as chiropractors or registered nurses or even medical doctors who typically receive 100-300 hours of abbreviated training, versus 3,000 hours of training for L.Ac's. These other healthcare professionals only treat a limited number of points. Licensed Acupuncturists are also trained in standard medical history gathering, safety, and ethics, and recognition of when to refer patients to other health care professionals or consult with other medical practitioners.
What is a treatment like?
Your first visit to IAOM will take a full hour. We ask patients to arrive early to complete an intake form, or downlaod them here, asking about your health history. Your practitioner will spend time with you during your first visit to ask questions about your entire health history, even events that may not seem related to your primary complaint that day. IAOM practitioners use traditional diagnostic tools of looking at your tongue and feeling your pulses to analyze your condition according to traditional Chinese medicine. An individualized treatment plan will be created for you, using the five branches of Chinese medicine. Your treatment may include massage, cupping, moxibustion, nutritional advice, herbal therapeutics, or meditation techniques in addition to acupuncture. Each treatment is unique, depending upon your condition the day of your treatment. Follow up treatments will take about 50 minutes. Your practitioner will review your condition with you and continue your treatment plan at each visit.
What is the cost for a treatment?
Cost of treatment varies depending upon which procedures are required. We offer a time of service discount to our out of pocket expense patients, first visits for are $95, return visits are $75. Additional fees for adjunctive therapies will be discussed prior to administration for your approval.
Co-pay's vary, please check with your insurance company, we are considered "specialists" on most plans.
The fee is due the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, and credit cards.
Will insurance cover my treatment costs?
Insurance plans vary. We recommend that you call the phone number on your insurance card and ask if acupuncture (97810) is covered. We are CIGNA in network providers. Not all CIGNA plans cover acupuncture (97810). We will bill CIGNA directly if your plan includes acupuncture services.
We will bill other insurance companies for our patients as out of network providers if acupuncture is included in your plan. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont does not currently cover acupuncture, nor allow for acupuncturists to be in network providers, so it is an out of pocket expense.
Currently, acupuncture is not covered by Medicare or Medicaid.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are eligible for acupuncture coverage. Please request a receipt or pay with your Flex Spending card at the time of service.
Workers Compensation and Personal Injury will usually cover acupuncture when an injury occurs at the work place or an auto accident. Please bring all information regarding your claim to your first visit.
Full payment, or co-pay if applicable, is required to IAOM on the day of your treatment.
We offer $10 Group Acupuncture treatments to provide treatment affordable for all. More information HERE
What should I wear to my treatment?
Special clothing is not required to receive acupuncture. Many treatments do not require patients to remove any clothing. For some treatments body parts are best reached by disrobing. A cover/gown will either be provided or proper draping of sheet implemented if this is required. If you prefer to bring a change or comfortable clothes, please do so.
What are your hours of operation?
A practitioner is available Monday- Wednesday 9am-7pm and Thursday and Friday 9am-5pm
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment, please call Integrative Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at 802-223-4738
How do I reschedule an appointment?
IAOM requires 24 hour notice to reschedule your appointment. Patients who reschedule with less then 24 hour notice will be subject to a fee of $40. "No Shows" will be charged 100% of the scheduled treatment fee. Insurance will not cover "no shows" or late cancellation fees and are the responsibility of the patient. Please call 802-223-4738 to reschedule.
156 Main Street Suite 103 246 Granger Rd
Montpelier, Vermont Berlin, Vt
T: 802-223-0954
F: 802-223-6057
Integrative Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is an Integrative Acupuncture Clinic located in Montpelier and Berlin, Vermont Montpelier, Vermont Berlin, Vt
T: 802-223-0954
F: 802-223-6057
Proudly in affiliation with Central Vermont Medical Center, Berlin, VT
