Dr. Jeffrey Fitzthum maintains a private practice in Seattle, Wash., focusing on treating work-related injuries and performing forensic evaluations of motor vehicle injuries. He is also the physiatry consultant for a multidisciplinary chiropractic-owned clinic. Dr. Fitzthum has served as clinical instructor and clinic director at Western States Chiropractic College; assistant professor and clinical instructor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics; and Clinic Director of the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Pain Clinic.
Recent laws in New Jersey and California represent a disturbing trend that will negatively impact a practice’s ability to collect monies from patients, as well as expose them to significant penalties if the practice does not follow the mandatory guidelines to a T. Please be aware that a similar law may be coming to your state. The time to act is before the law is passed.
With estimates showing over 30 million Americans affected by peripheral neuropathy – and a significant portion underdiagnosed – it’s increasingly likely that chiropractors are already treating these patients. What’s missing is structured recognition, comprehensive management and targeted tools to slow progression, improve function and support systemic health.
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, with 487 additions, 28 deletions and 38 revisions. Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services performed on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes. While no changes affect the common spinal or extraspinal codes most frequently used by DCs, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for comorbidities, referred pain, or trauma cases.
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