American Chiropractic Association (ACA) Vice President, Anthony Hamm, DC, FACO, has been re-elected co-chair of the American Medical Association's (AMA) RVS Update Committee (RUC) Health Care Professionals Advisory Committee Review Board (HCPAC). The RUC HCPAC develops recommendations on relative values for new and revised CPT codes reported principally by non-MD/DO professionals. Dr. Hamm's second two-year term begins in October.
Dr. Hamm is the first chiropractic physician to serve as HCPAC co-chair. In this role, he also serves on the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Update Committee (RUC). The RUC makes annual recommendations regarding new and revised CPT services as well as potentially misvalued services of the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which determines Medicare provider payment.
"ACA strongly supported Dr. Hamm's nomination to this position since it is vital that the chiropractic profession have a voice in the national health care discussion," said ACA President Keith Overland, DC. "He brings to HCPAC and RUC extensive experience and expertise in making appropriate recommendations for CPT codes across specialties."
Dr. Hamm has previously served as the chiropractic adviser to the AMA RUC/HCPAC; taught coding, documentation, Medicare and risk management to the chiropractic profession for the past decade; contributed as an author to ACA's Chiropractic Coding and Compliance Manual; and was invited by Quality Insights of Pennsylvania to offer advice on the development of quality measures for the CMS Physician Quality Reporting System. Furthermore, he is a past carrier adviser for Cigna Government Services Medicare Administrative Contractor and serves as board liaison to ACA`s Coding and Reimbursement Committee.
Dr. Hamm, a former president of ACA's Council of Delegates, directs a private chiropractic practice in Goldsboro, N.C. He received his doctor of chiropractic degree from National University of Health Sciences and has earned diplomate certifications from the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedics and the American Board of Forensic Professionals.
Source: American Chiropractic Association
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?
