In 1989, the policyholders of the National Chiropractic Mutual Insurance Company (NCMIC) revolted. In the annual election for members of the NCMIC board of directors, the policyholders were not given a choice. The only names on the ballot were those nominated by the board. In a sense, the policyholders could either re-elect the board members, or choose not to vote.
But in that year, a small group of concerned NCMIC policyholders made a valiant attempt to address the numerous concerns that many of the policyholders had been expressing for some time. In a blatant disregard for conventional wisdom, two of these policyholders ran as write-in candidates.
Of course everyone knows that write-in candidates never win. But in this case, the level of policyholder dissatisfaction was so high that the two write-in candidates, Drs. Charles Cline and Arnold Cianciulli, not only won, but defeated the incumbents by nearly a 2-1 margin. Clearly, the policyholders had spoken.
In 1990, the NCMIC bylaws were changed to allow for any policyholder to be added to the ballot by securing a minimum of 250 names supporting their candidacy. This is a very small percentage of a company with over 22,000 policyholders. This bylaw change provided for an election process involving four candidates running for two positions on the NCMIC board. The policyholders were eager for a choice and a change.
Again in 1991, their were four candidates running for the three positions available. In fact, of the seven original members of the NCMIC board of directors, only three remained by the end of the third election. The policyholders had chosen four new members in an apparent mandate for new management and direction.
So what happened in 1992?
Are the policyholders asleep?
Admittedly, NCMIC has taken on an entirely new direction, particularly in the funding of chiropractic research. It was the support of NCMIC that made the RAND project possible. NCMIC has also recently funded much needed research into cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), which will be conducted by Scott Haldeman, D.C., M.D., Ph.D. NCMIC will also fund a research project conducted by Ian Coulter, Ph.D., into chiropractic patient compliance (for use by managed care organization who are currently considering chiropractic inclusion).
In addition, NCMIC not only cosponsored the Mercy Center Guidelines Conference, they also put forth the necessary funds to provide a copy of the Guidelines to every policyholder. This in itself shows a serious departure from the past.
Finally, in an effort to address concerns voiced by policyholders who were defended by attorneys that were not knowledgeable about chiropractic (a concern voiced often prior to the "policyholder revolt of 1989"), NCMIC held special training seminars for those attorneys who would be defending its policyholders from malpractice claims.
But is all this enough?
Are you as a policyholder satisfied?
With an organization that is substantially larger than the ACA and the ICA combined (plus a healthy budget), what NCMIC does should be of great interest to every policyholder, in particular, and every chiropractor and student in general. But are they meeting your needs?
The fact that in the 1992 election, there were only two candidates for two positions on the board of directors leads one to wonder: Are the policyholders of NCMIC satisfied, lazy, or not completely satisfied, but content enough not to do anything about what should still be changed?
If you are satisfied, and NCMIC is doing basically all that you think it should, then inaction could be your vote of confidence. Why complain if you're happy.
But if you aren't satisfied, then you need to speak up.
If you're not satisfied (and not lazy) make your concerns known. Point out shortcomings, make the suggestions, criticize.
Send your concerns/suggestions to:
NCMIC
Arnold Cianciulli, D.C., President
P.O. Box 9118
Des Moines, IA 50306-9118
Or fax them to (505) 222-2999
If you are concerned that no one is listening, send a copy to Dynamic Chiropractic and we will follow up.
This is your company, but it needs you to be the best it can be.
DMP Jr., BS, HCD(hc)
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