FCLB Joins ACA in Scrutinizing Chiropractic MCOs
The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards (FCLB) has allied its considerable resources with the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) to probe the "participation policies" of various chiropractic managed care organizations (MCOs).
The FCLB forwarded a formal letter to its member boards last month, encouraging the following steps to be taken:
- Adopt procedures to identify inappropriate managed care criteria and processes that interfere with the doctor-patient relationship or restrict necessary patient care.
- Report such activities to the appropriate state regulatory authority for further investigation.
- Report cases involving managed care interference with the doctor-patient relationship and the board's response to the Federation's executive offices.
FCLB President, Dr. N. Edwin Weathersby, reminded member boards that it is their responsibility to "protect the health, welfare and safety of the public as it relates to the practice of chiropractic." Several boards have "already taken action to remind MCOs that the doctor-patient relationship is overseen by the regulatory boards, not the insurance industry," according to Dr. Weathersby.
The ACA first addressed concerns about the MCO's inappropriate rulings in March 2002; an ACA House of Delegates resolution formally outlined its opposition to these abusive practices by MCOs and authorized data collection to begin to determine the specific types of abuses being inflicted upon chiropractors by third-party administrators. Dynamic Chiropractic reported on the ACA's ongoing anti-abuse campaign in the July 2, 2005 issue.1
"The ACA applauds FCLB for its support of this extremely important initiative," said Dr. Richard Brassard, newly elected ACA president.
For more information on this ongoing campaign against managed care abuses, visit the ACA's Chiropractic Network Action Center: www.amerchiro.org/networks.
Reference
- ACA collecting data on managed care abuses. Dynamic Chiropractic, July 2, 2005: www.chiroweb.com/archives/23/14/01.html.
Wolfson Receives Distinguished Service Award From Florida Board
The Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine has announced the recipient of its 2005 Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Wayne Wolfson. The board gave Dr. Wolfson the award in recognition of his years of dedicated efforts to promote and protect public health, safety and welfare through the regulation of chiropractic physicians.
Florida Department of Health Secretary, John O. Agwunobi, MD, MPH, said, "I congratulate Dr. Wolfson and commend the board for this well-deserved recognition. For more than a decade, he has selflessly volunteered his time and talents on the chiropractic board to help ensure the highest health care standards for the people of our state."
Dr. Wolfson, a former chair of the Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine, has served as president of the Central Florida Chiropractic Society, president of the Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards, and as a member of the board of directors of the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Florida Patient Safety Corporation, an entity established by the Florida legislature to improve patient safety and the quality of health care. He also operates an active practice in Orlando.
Source: Dr. Wayne Wolfson receives distinguished service award from Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine. Florida Dept. of Health press release, Sept. 6, 2005.
Chiropractor Adjusts Attitudes With Fight Against Hunger
Kate McDonough, DC, knows a great deal about giving; in particular, about giving adjustments in her chiropractic practice, and giving time to help in her community. She began a food collection effort last month in eastern Massachusetts called "Give Back and Get Back," to help raise awareness about hunger in her local community.
Dr. McDonough participated in supporting food drives for more than seven years while living in New Mexico. After moving her practice to Marshfield, Mass., she heard about a local food donation organization called the Marshfield Food Pantry, staffed by about 50 volunteers. After learning the organization was running low on donations this year, she decided to help out.
Dr. McDonough has a drop box just outside the door of her chiropractic practice, where donations are accepted during normal business hours. "We're very fortunate to live in such a nice area as Marshfield. I sometimes think we forget there are still people in need, and that is really what this campaign is all about."
"When you give with an open heart, it will come back to you," explained Dr. McDonough. "It's not about giving out of obligation. It's about stopping and saying, 'Hey, I've got enough. Now what can I do to help out?" She plans to support the campaign for an undisclosed amount of time, further supporting the overall message that hunger is an ongoing issue facing communities all over the country.
To make a donation to the Marshfield Food Pantry, call (781) 837-0359. If you live in the Marshfield area and would like to help Dr. McDonough make a difference, drop off a donation at her chiropractic office at 465 Furnace Street, Marshfield.
Source: Bray R. Chiropractor puts her back into hunger. Marshfield Mariner, Sept. 28, 2005.
