Arbeitsgemeinschaft für klasssiche Akupunktur und TCM e.V.
Arbeitsgemeinschaft für klassische Akupunktur und Traditionelle Chinesische Medizin e.V. (AGTCM) Address Wisbacher Straße 1 83435 Bad Reichenhall Germany
-Full member: must hold a diploma or equivalent from one of the accredited schools (three year training in TCM, with at least 750 hours of TCM schooling), and must also be a Heilpraktiker or medical doctor -Associate member: needs to prove basic knowledge of TCM -Supporting member: pays at least €170 per year and has no privileges or rights -Honorary: voted for by the membership
Since the Second World War the medical market has been divided. Medical treatment, including Chinese medicine, may only be given by a medical doctor or a Heilpraktiker. - To become a medical doctor you have to study at a university. Most medical doctors' services are paid for by the public insurance. However, as Chinese medicine is not included in the public insurance catalogue the cost of such treatment is not usually covered, and so even doctors have to charge privately for Chinese medicine. - To become a Heilpraktiker you have to pass an exam at the Health Office. These exams have now been centralised in the Länder (states) and usually consist of a written multiple choice and an oral exam. These exams have become very specialised and are at the same level as the first state exams at university.
Insurance reimbursement
At present all Heilpraktiker treatment, including acupuncture, is covered by private insurance only. However, most people pay privately for these services as only about 12 per cent of the population have private medical insurance. As a Heilpraktiker you are allowed to treat almost all conditions, with whatever treatment you think fit. Only certain infectious diseases, gynaecological problems and dentistry are excluded.
Members 
