Medicare to Focus on DC Error Rates
While indignation may be your immediate reaction to H.R. 5780, the Protecting the Integrity of Medicare Act of 2014, the American Chiropractic Association suggests the legislation is just what the chiropractic profession needs. The bill includes a provision to address "medical review of spinal subluxation services" and stipulates that the Health and Human Services secretary "develop an education program to help improve chiropractors' Medicare claims," according to the ACA.
"While this legislation may appear to be an indictment against the chiropractic profession, comparative data from 2011 shows us at the top of the error rate list at 44.1 percent. We can no longer make the assertion that we are being discriminated against," said ACA President Dr. Anthony Hamm. "Frankly, should this legislation be enacted, it will provide ACA the opportunity to educate those who are not compliant with clinical decision making and documentation of the Medicare patient. It will also potentially offer us the opportunity to interact with CMS and the individual Medicare Administrative Contractors to provide a better understanding of our unique model of patient care."
According to the ACA, the program would be available by Jan. 1 of next year if the legislation is signed into law, and would be created in consultation with the association and Medicare Administrative Contractor representatives.
As of press time, H.R. 5780 has been referred to both the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. To track the bill's progress, review full text and stay abreast of changes as they occur, click here.
