In a landmark development, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has reached a $2.8 billion settlement to resolve antitrust claims brought by health care providers, including chiropractors. The lawsuit accused BCBS of dividing the nation into exclusive regions and limiting competition, which resulted in lower reimbursements for providers. Although BCBS denies any wrongdoing, the company agreed to the settlement to avoid lengthy litigation – and you can get a piece of the pie.
Nevada DCs Regain Ability to Perform High-School Physicals
The Nevada Chiropractic Association reports that the state's chiropractors have successfully regained the ability to perform pre-participation high-school physicals. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) is the nonprofit organization that regulates and oversees all high-school athletic events in Nevada; after 10 years of prohibiting DCs from performing these physicals, the NIAA Board of Control voted on June 16 to include chiropractors in the pool of eligible providers.
Official legislative language change will follow, and NCA President James T. Overland Sr., DC, MS, has been invited to serve on the NIAA medical advisory committee. Dr. Overland is the first chiropractor invited to serve on the committee in the association's 88-year history.
According to Dr. Overland, this process required approximately 11 months of arduous and intense testimony with supportive documentation. He added that finally, all high-school athletes will have another health care practitioner to enable them to complete a required examination.
Special thanks goes out to all who assisted in this endeavor, including the executive director and legal counsel for the NIAA.
Source: Nevada Chiropractic Association