The problem began in 1993 and 1994 when the Idaho legislature enacted the Small Employer Health Insurance Availability Act and the Individual Health Insurance Availability Act. The legislation was deemed necessary to assist small employer groups and individuals who had trouble obtaining affordable health insurance coverage. Limitations and exclusions of some services were made to develop an affordable basic plan. While such plans make economic sense, the "Limitations and Exclusions" section of the Small Employer and Individual Act had this proviso:
"Spinal manipulation. Chiropractic services will be subject to a one thousand ($1,000) per year limit, subject to the policy deductible and co-insurance."
The Idaho Association of Chiropractic Physicians (IACP) filed suit against the Idaho State Department of Insurance and its director.
The IACP claimed, reasonably, that the rules discriminated against chiropractors, as no monetary limit was placed on PTs or MDs doing manipulation. Further, the IACP said the rule discriminated against those Idaho citizens that desire to have their musculoskeletal disorders treated by chiropractors.
Inexplicably, the district court denied summary judgment to the IACP. Fortunately, the supreme court in a 3-1 vote reversed that decision and awarded costs to the IACP. The concurring judges saw "no rational basis to say that a service provided by one health care professional is covered, but the identical service provided by another health care professional is not covered."
Most chiropractors would cringe over the "identical service" assertion, but will applaud the supreme court justices for calling discrimination by its name when they see it.
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
