Humana Backs Down Following ACA Pressure
Insurer Humana, Inc., has notified the American Chiropractic Association that it will remove an article published online in April 2011 that, according to the ACA, listed "common indicators of fraud, waste and abuse that were inaccurate and reflected poorly on chiropractic care. Among those examples were 'Billing E/M codes with a manipulation code' and 'Billing E/M codes in place of manipulation codes.'" Humana contacted ACA Senior Vice President of Insurance Relations, Laurie Douglass-Wilson, on Jan. 30, 2012, and informed her that it would remove the article from public viewing and refrain from future use of such language.
Upon learning of the article's publication last year, the ACA and the Colorado Chiropractic Association each submitted letters to Humana, demanding that the insurer retract the statements. When Humana did not do so, the ACA Insurance Relations Department sent two additional letters that included "practice-neutral examples of fraudulent misrepresentation," and reiterating the request that Humana cease using the chiropractic-specific language.
Sherman Reaffirmed by CCE
On Jan. 24, Sherman College of Chiropractic received word from the Council on Chiropractic Education that the college's doctor of chiropractic degree program had been reaffirmed through 2019.
"Reaffirmation is the result of much hard work and dedication by the employees, students, trustees and many supporters of Sherman College," said Accreditation Liaison and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Robert L. Irwin, DC. "We have created a more comprehensive chiropractic education; made our program and our clinic more patient-centered to address the needs of healthcare consumers today; and improved teaching and learning, enhancing our ability to graduate skilled, compassionate and successful doctors of chiropractic to serve the public. We are happy to see our efforts acknowledged through the reaffirmation of accreditation."
New President of Foot Levelers
Effective Feb. 14, 2012, Dwayne Bennett has been promoted to the position of president at Foot Levelers, Inc. Kent Greenawalt, owner and chief executive officer of Foot Levelers., who had served as company president since 1989, made the announcement, stating the following:
"Foot Levelers is a merit-based company, and Dwayne has demonstrated throughout his tenure his loyalty, tenacity, and ability to get things done," said Greenawalt. "[He] will do a fine job of steering the success and growth of Foot Levelers into the future."
Bennett has worked in various capacities for the company over the past 25 years, most recently serving as executive vice president. According to the company, he will oversee all operational aspects of the company while Greenawalt focuses on strategic planning.
The Fraternity of Chiropractic
Dr. Terry Yochum is a recipient of the "Significant Sig" award, given by the Sigma Chi fraternity in recognition of outstanding contributions to mankind. Dr. Yochum is one of only 1,600 Sigma Chi brothers to receive the award and the first chiropractor in history to be so honored. Other notable Sigma Chi alumn to receive the "Significant Sig" include John Wayne, Tom Selleck, Mike Ditka and David Letterman.
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?
