Tom Necela, DC

Dr. Tom Necela maintains a private practice in Washington state. He is also the founder of The Strategic Chiropractor, a consulting firm for chiropractors. Dr. Necela can be contacted with questions or comments via his Web site, www.strategicdc.com."

Previous Articles

Why You Don't Need a Compliance Manual
September 1, 2013 (Vol. 31, Issue 17)
Business Building: What's Your Strategy?
June 1, 2013 (Vol. 31, Issue 11)
Exit Ramps: Planning for a Successful Life After Chiropractic
Why 2013 May Be a Great Year for Chiropractic Buyer / Seller Transitions
January 1, 2013 (Vol. 31, Issue 01)
Business-Building Strategies From the Amazon and Google Playbook
October 7, 2012 (Vol. 30, Issue 21)
Audits: Protect Against and Profit From Them
May 20, 2012 (Vol. 30, Issue 11)
OIG Reveals Audit Targets for 2012
January 29, 2012 (Vol. 30, Issue 03)
The Checklist: Your Most Valuable Office Protocol
December 16, 2011 (Vol. 29, Issue 26)
Chiropractic's Second Most Dangerous Enemy
November 4, 2011 (Vol. 29, Issue 23)
Enhance Your Insurance Verification Strategies to Obtain Maximum Chiropractic Benefit
July 15, 2011 (Vol. 29, Issue 15)
Are You Committing Chiropractic Revenue Malpractice
June 3, 2011 (Vol. 29, Issue 12)
When and Why Chiropractors Should Drop an Insurance Company
Hire an Associate, Sell or Retire? A New Problem Chiropractors Must Consider
April 9, 2011 (Vol. 29, Issue 08)
How Will You Leave Chiropractic? Developing a Viable Exit Strategy
January 15, 2011 (Vol. 29, Issue 02)
What to Do About Refund Requests, Part 2
December 2, 2010 (Vol. 28, Issue 25)
What to Do About Refund Requests
October 7, 2010 (Vol. 28, Issue 21)
How to Chase a New Patient Away in 60 Minutes or Less, Part 2
August 26, 2010 (Vol. 28, Issue 18)
How to Chase a New Patient Away in 60 Minutes or Less, Part 1
July 29, 2010 (Vol. 28, Issue 16)
7 Things to Remove From Your Office
June 3, 2010 (Vol. 28, Issue 12)
The 6 Most Important Things a Chiropractor Must Know to Maximize Success
The Most Efficient Way to Lower Practice Overhead
April 22, 2010 (Vol. 28, Issue 09)
The "Perfect" SOAP Note: A Chiropractic Holy Grail
February 26, 2010 (Vol. 28, Issue 05)
5 Ways To Get Paid On Time, Every Time
The Three Most Cost-Effective Practice Improvements for Chiropractors
January 15, 2010 (Vol. 28, Issue 02)
Insider Secrets About Recovery or Postpayment Audits
December 16, 2009 (Vol. 27, Issue 26)
Chiropractors Are in the Wrong Business -- The Business of Marketing
October 7, 2009 (Vol. 27, Issue 21)
It's the Number You Need to Profitably Grow Your Practice
September 9, 2009 (Vol. 27, Issue 19)
The Four-Hour Chiropractic Workweek
July 15, 2009 (Vol. 27, Issue 15)
How to Drop an Insurance Company
June 3, 2009 (Vol. 27, Issue 12)
The Myth of the High-Volume Practice
April 9, 2009 (Vol. 27, Issue 08)
What Is Your Time Really Worth?
February 26, 2009 (Vol. 27, Issue 05)
You, Doctor, Are the Problem
January 15, 2009 (Vol. 27, Issue 02)
Is There Extra Income Right Under Your Nose?
July 29, 2008 (Vol. 26, Issue 16)
Raise Your Fees Now
June 3, 2008 (Vol. 26, Issue 12)
Doctor, Do You Struggle?
April 8, 2008 (Vol. 26, Issue 08)
The Problem With Telling Fish Stories
February 12, 2008 (Vol. 26, Issue 04)
Looking for Purple Cows and Leaving Red Herrings
June 4, 2007 (Vol. 25, Issue 12)
Using Starbucks to Build Your Practice, Part 2
January 15, 2007 (Vol. 25, Issue 02)
Using Starbucks to Build Your Practice, Part 1
December 3, 2006 (Vol. 24, Issue 25)
The Chiropractic Jungle Is Neutral
September 20, 1999 (Vol. 17, Issue 20)
Securing Our Future in Chiropractic
August 9, 1999 (Vol. 17, Issue 17)
Ten (Relatively) Painless Ways to Reduce Your Student Debt
April 19, 1999 (Vol. 17, Issue 09)
Chiropractic's Greatest Failure
September 18, 2000 (Vol. 18, Issue 20)
Let Buddha Build Your Practice
June 26, 2000 (Vol. 18, Issue 14)
The Seven-Second Chiropractic Adjustment
February 21, 2000 (Vol. 18, Issue 05)
Let Buddha Build Your Practice
February 12, 2001 (Vol. 19, Issue 04)
Trending
Billing / Fees / Insurance
Should You Be In-Network or Out-of-Network With Insurance?
Should You Be In-Network or Out-of-Network With Insurance?

It’s a new year and many chiropractors are evaluating what will enhance their respective practices, particularly as it relates to their bottom line. One of the most common questions I get is: “Do I need to be credentialed to bill insurance, and what are the best plans to join?” It’s a loaded question – but one every DC ponders. Whether you're already in-network or pondering whether to join, here's what you need to know.

Samuel A. Collins
X-ray / Imaging / MRI
Radiologist-Missed Spinal Tumor Found by Chiropractor
Radiologist-Missed Spinal Tumor Found by Chiropractor

A 36-year-old female presented on Nov. 18, 2025, with lumbar pain and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Following a comprehensive history, physical examination, and radiographic evaluation to assess anatomical and biomechanical factors, an immediate lumbar MRI was ordered due to the patient’s radiculopathic symptoms and clinical findings.

Mark Studin, DC, FPSC, FASBE(C), DAAPM; Timothy Clare, DC, FPSC(C)
Billing / Fees / Insurance
Guidelines vs. Care: Bridging the Gap
Guidelines vs. Care: Bridging the Gap

What happens when best practices for patient care fall outside what guidelines endorse or insurance will cover? More importantly, how can clinicians ethically and effectively integrate non-reimbursed services that improve function, reduce disability and support long-term outcomes? These are not just clinical questions; they are economic and policy challenges that directly affect practice viability and patient access.

Christopher Proulx, DC, PhD(ABD), CSCS