New ICA-Endorsed Medicare Legislation Introduced in House
Editorial Staff
The Chiropractic Act of 2022 (H.R. 8701), introduced by Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.) and endorsed by the International Chiropractors Association, is touted by the ICA as Medicare legislation "that can be quickly passed into law. It provides clear instructions for standard of care evaluation and management services (exams and radiological imaging when needed)."
In a press release announcing the new legislation, the ICA summarized the key points of H.R. 8701, which would "amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure equitable treatment of items and services furnished by chiropractors under the Medicare program," as follows:
"Provides specific instructions to CMS to cover what is standard of care – evaluation and management services – specifically including examination and when needed radiographic imaging services, while specifically excluding any expansion of scope for the prescribing of drugs – an important clarification that the Congress agrees with a majority of the chiropractic profession."
"[S]treamlines provision regarding patients' freedom to privately contract for services so that all physicians as defined in Medicare (which includes chiropractors) are able to privately contract. This is commonly referred to as the Opt-Out Provision. Chiropractors are the only physicians currently not included in this provision."
"Eliminates the vestiges of the antitrust discrimination against chiropractors that were at play in 1972 when chiropractic was included in Medicare."
"[P]rovides swift implementation so that Medicare Beneficiaries may reap the benefit of the changes as quickly as possible."
Editor's Note: As of press time, it is unclear how H.R. 8701 compares / differs from American Chiropractic Association-endorsed companion Medicare bills currently under House and Senate review (H.R. 2654 and S. 4042, respectively). Stay tuned.
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.
The World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) Board of Directors passed a “Policy on Non-Interference and Respect for National Authority” at its Q3 2024 meeting. Upon reading this, some might ask if the WFC policy is targeting the activities of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) in providing international membership to Japanese individuals who do not hold a chiropractic degree from an accredited institution.
Part 3 of this three-part article on recogizing and diagnosing delayed-onset motor-vehicle acident (MVA) injuries in clinical practice coversspinal cord injury linked to cervical stenosis and spondylosis; alar sprain; and delayed instability. Part 1 discussed traumatic subdural hematoma, stroke due to MVA and traumatic central disc herniation; part 2 discussed traumatic Schmorl's nodes, post-concussion syndrome and posttraummatic syrinx.
