Financial

Berkeley Acupuncture Project makes every attempt to make alternative health care, specifically acupuncture and Chinese medicine, available to as many people as possible, at the most affordable rates. In respect for our intention to offer high-quality health care at affordable prices, we ask for at least 24-hour advance notice if it is necessary to cancel an appointment. All appointments that are cancelled with less than 24-hour advance notice, and appointments missed without notice, will be charged $30 for that appointment. If appointments have been purchased in a package, the missed or cancelled appointment will be deducted from the number of remaining appointments in that package. If you miss your appointment, you will be considered a 'no show' and accrue a $30 fee. We can not accommodate late arrivals. You are responsible for any bank fees if payment is declined by your bank for any reason.

Informed Consent

Acupuncture involves the insertion of special needles into particular points on the body. The purpose of this treatment is to prevent or reduce pain and to help your body function better. There are some risks to treatment, including the possibility of bruising of the skin and/or slight bleeding. Uncommon side effects may include weakness, fainting, and/or the temporary aggravation of symptoms existing prior to acupuncture treatment. There is little to no risk of infection when all needles are sterile. BAP uses only one-time use, sterile disposable needles. We do not reuse needles, even at different areas of the body for the same person. BAP does not provide primary care, nor Western (allopathic) medical care. Please see your medical doctor for those services and for routine check-ups. If you are pregnant, have a bleeding disorder, pacemaker, high blood pressure, local infection, or have been prescribed anticoagulant medications like Coumadin, we can still safely treat you, but you should tell your practitioner about your history and/or condition.

HIPAA and Privacy

In accordance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulation and California Law, BAP takes the right to your privacy seriously. Therefore, we do not disclose any personal, health, financial, or any other information about you, or the services we provide to you to any third parties without your explicit request and written permission. This also includes online services we provide, including access to your appointment information, user-ID, or password. As healthcare practitioners and administrators, we are also responsible for staying up-to-date with HIPAA regulations and for properly training all staff members and new employees to ensure that your personal health information is not compromised. If at any time you have a concern or complaint about your privacy, please contact BAP’s privacy officer, or the Office of Civil Rights of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Lost or Stolen Goods

Berkeley Acupuncture Project is not responsible for lost or stolen goods. Please do not leave valuables unattended at the clinic.

Fragrance

We strive to be fragrance free. Many of our patients and staff have sensitivities to fragrances resulting in nausea, migraines, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Please refrain from wearing any scented products prior to your appointment at BAP. This includes “natural” scents like essential oils and all scented laundry products. If we ask you about or mention that we detect a fragrance on you please don’t be offended! We understand that this conversation can be awkward, and we are NOT saying that you smell bad! We are just looking out for the staff and patients who may become sick or need to leave early because of exposure to fragrance. While we make every effort to minimize fragrance in our clinic, we can not guarantee a 100% scent free environment.

Clinic Safety

All patients are required to: - Keep their belongings with them at all times. - NEVER take out their own needles or get up and walk around with needles in. - Arrive wearing a mask. Stay masked the entire time at BAP. - Refrain from booking or arriving at BAP with signs of cold or flu. Please visit our "In-Acupuncture" page to find out more. - Cooperate with all staff instructions, hygiene, and screening procdures and policies.

Timeliness and Tardiness

Please arrive at BAP 5 minutes early to be screened. Late patients will not be seen and will accrue a 'No Show' fee. Because of the time it takes disinfect and properly prepare for th next patient, there will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy. Arrive having used the bathroom at home and make sure you are fed and hydrated. Our bathrooms are for staff use only and we no longer provide snacks or water due to COIVD safety practices.

Missed Appointment Time

Until further notice we are unable to accomodate schedule changes within our 24 hour window. If you miss your appointment time you will be considered a no show and accrue a fee.

Phones and Volume

All phones and mobile devices must be silenced before entering the clinic. We invite people to use earbuds to listen to music, meditations, or podcasts during their treatment if they choose. We do not police the silent use of phones and other mobile devices. Everyone enjoys acupuncture in their own way.

Other Sounds

While we are constantly reminding people to whisper, this can be difficult for some due to a variety of reasons including hearing or language issues. If you hear someone speaking louder than you like, please trust that our practitioners are handling the situation in an appropriate way and to the best of their ability. NEVER “shush” another patient!

News and Announcements

We send out monthly newsletters and post announcements around the clinic. Please read them! To remove yourself from our mailing list please click “unsubscribe”. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Complaints

Please email complaints to the Clinic Manager at info@bapnap.com.

Kindness and Compassion

BAP staff are here to help. It is our personal and professional mission to support the health and well-being of our community. Please treat all staff, as well as your fellow patients, with the patience, kindness, and compassion you want to be treated with. While we make reasonable attempts to address problematic behavior, BAP reserves the right to discontinue services to people who disrespect, abuse or are inappropriate with staff or other patients or repeatedly violate our policies.

COVID-19, Masks

KNOW THE RED FLAG SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 If you have any of the following symptoms do not come to BAP. Please call your doctor.

• fever, chills, chills with shaking