Bessie Flowers
Lead acupuncturist
- Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) · MD License no. 000000
Started the clinic so a neighbor could come twice a week without choosing between a visit and a bill. Works Mondays and Wednesdays.
Community acupuncture in Dundalk
Acupuncture in a room of recliners, with fees that fit your week
Daybed is a community clinic. You rest in a recliner under a blanket while one of three licensed acupuncturists works through the room, and you choose what to pay on a sliding scale. We built it for veterans and neighbors on a tight budget.
A visit here
Four steps, about an hour
Book a time
Pick a day on the online calendar or call the front desk. A volunteer answers when the clinic is open.
Choose a recliner
Wear loose clothes that roll up past the elbow and the knee. A volunteer shows you to a recliner and brings a blanket.
Rest with the needles in
Your acupuncturist asks a few questions, places fine needles, mostly in the arms, legs and ears, and leaves you to rest.
Pay what you can
At the front desk you choose what to pay on our sliding scale. Nobody asks for proof.
How fees work
How fees work
A sliding scale: you choose where you land on it, and you can choose again at every visit.
Insurance we work with
We send no claims to insurance plans, so there is no claim to wait on. If you have a VA Community Care authorization for acupuncture, call us before you book and we will tell you whether we can see you under it.
No claims sent to insurance plans
VA Community Care: call us before you book
If you pay yourself
Everyone pays on a sliding scale, by card or cash at the front desk after the visit. You choose the amount that fits your week, nobody asks you to show proof, and you can choose a different one next time. Many health savings and flexible spending cards work for acupuncture; ask your plan administrator.
Receipts for reimbursement
Ask the front desk for an itemized receipt after any visit. If your plan reimburses acupuncture, it decides what it pays you back. Four questions to ask your plan:
Is there an acupuncture benefit?
How many visits does it cover?
Is there a copay or a deductible?
Do I need a referral?
An estimate in advance
If you are paying without insurance, we give you a written estimate before your first visit. Ask for it when you book and we send it ahead. If a bill ever comes to $400 or more above that estimate, you can dispute it.
Checking your benefits
We send no claims to insurance plans, so there are no benefits to check for most visits. If you hold a VA Community Care authorization, tell the front desk when you book. A clinician calls you back to go over what it covers and whether we can see you under it.
What the first visit includes
About an hour in the room. A short talk with your acupuncturist about your health and your medicines, a look at your tongue and your pulse, then fine needles and a rest in a recliner. Your acupuncturist explains the risks and answers your questions before any needle goes in. You choose what to pay the way you do at every visit.
Who comes
Neighbors from across the east side
Most people come from Dundalk and the east side of Baltimore, by car or on the bus. Veterans come from all over the county.
Baltimore County
- Dundalk
- Essex
- Edgemere
- Sparrows Point
- Turner Station
- Rosedale
- Middle River
Baltimore City
- Highlandtown
- Canton
- Patterson Park
- Greektown
- Brooklyn
Coming from farther away? You are welcome. If you are a veteran with a VA Community Care authorization for acupuncture, call us before you book and we will tell you whether we can see you under it.
Who you will see
Three acupuncturists, and volunteers at the front desk
Each acupuncturist's Maryland license is listed at the bottom of every page. Volunteers greet you, find you a recliner and bring blankets and tea. They do no needle work.
Denny Baeza
Acupuncturist
- Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) · MD License no. 000000
Treats a lot of people on their feet all day. Works Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Jeri Brightman
Acupuncturist
- Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) · MD License no. 000000
Keeps the room quiet and the tea hot. Works Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Before you come in
More answers are on the questions page.
Does it hurt?
Most people feel a quick pinch or a dull ache at a few points, or nothing at all. Say so right away if anything is uncomfortable, and your acupuncturist adjusts or removes the needle.
What if I can't pay what you suggest?
Tell the front desk. We would rather see you often at a fee you can manage than rarely at one you can't, and you don't have to explain.
Do you see veterans?
Yes, on the same sliding scale as everyone. If you hold a VA Community Care authorization for acupuncture, call us before you book so we can tell you whether we can see you under it.
Do I have to stop my medicine?
No. Keep taking everything your prescriber gave you, and tell your prescriber and us about everything you take.
What should I wear?
Loose clothes that roll up past your elbows and knees. Eat something light beforehand; an empty stomach is no help in a recliner.
When should I see someone else?
Acupuncture does not replace emergency care or your doctor's. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), any time. In an emergency, call 911. Veterans can press 1 after dialing 988.
The recliner room
Where you will rest
Recliners, blankets, tea and a window. Each recliner has a small table at its side.
Sample photos.
Book a visit
Pick a time for a recliner
Choose a day and time on the clinic's own calendar. If you would rather talk to a person, call the front desk and a volunteer will find you a spot.
Phone(410) 555-0110
Hours
- MondayToday
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- WednesdayToday
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- FridayToday
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- SaturdayToday
- 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.