Education & Seminars

News in Brief

ACA, Blue Cross Blue Shield Meet

On April 2, representatives of the American Chiropractic Association and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association met in Washington, D.C., to discuss concerns related to BC/BSA's Jan. 1 reclassification of chiropractors within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. As reported in DC last issue ("Blue Cross Blue Shield Hits Below the Belt," May 6), doctors of chiropractic are no longer classified as "physicians" under the program, which could have profound implications, particularly as health care reform unfolds.

According to the ACA, the April 2 discussion was "cordial, frank and open," allowing each organization's perspectives and concerns to be detailed. Regarding instances in which chiropractors may already be affected by this change, BC/BSA "expressed its intent to clarify with local Blue plans that the Jan. 1 change did not in any way affect benefits and coverage."

May 2009
Trending
Diagnosis & Diagnostic Equip
When Radiculopathy Isn’t Radiculopathy: A Clinical Series (Pt. 6): Differential Diagnosis
When Radiculopathy Isn’t Radiculopathy

While cervical disc pathology can unquestionably produce radiculopathy, many patients presenting with arm pain, paresthesia or perceived weakness do not exhibit the clinical behavior of true nerve-root compromise. In these cases, failure to differentiate the primary pain generator may lead to unnecessary spinal injections, nerve ablation procedures or surgical consultation despite limited likelihood of benefit.

Ken Kaufman, DC
X-ray / Imaging / MRI
A National Turning Point: N.J. Board Rejects Insurer Medical X-Ray Rules for DCs
A National Turning Point: N.J. Board Rejects Insurer Medical X-Ray Rules for DCs

The New Jersey Board of Chiropractic Examiners has made a precedential decision, concurring with the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors' (ANJC) position paper on chiropractic X-ray guidelines. In plain terms, the board ruled, consistent with the ANJC position, that insurance companies cannot use medical X-ray rules or recommendations, like those written by the American College of Radiology (ACR), to decide whether a chiropractor's X-ray was necessary.

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Jeff Randolph, Esq.
Your Practice / Business
The Relationship Behind the Referral
The Relationship Behind the Referral

For decades, chiropractors have been told the answer to more professional referrals is simple: educate medical doctors about chiropractic. There is some truth in that advice; but it is also incomplete. The modern challenge is not simply getting another healthcare professional to know that chiropractors exist. It is becoming the kind of clinician (and building the kind of professional relationship) that makes collaboration easy and sustainable.

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Dynamic Chiropractic Staff