National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys Meets in Miami Beach
Seventeen lawyers representing state chiropractic associations and the American Chiropractic Association attended the November 2009 meeting of the National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys. Among the topics of discussion were Office of Inspector General opinions on discounts, Internet advertising and physical therapy services provided incident to physician treatments; legal issues relating to association relationships with PPOs; restriction of association memberships; legal issues attendant to chiropractic employment of physical therapists and Medicare billing, unionization of physicians; preemption of state insurance laws by ERISA; the validity of Medicare local carriers policies; compliance with the Red Flags rule; Medicare regulations affecting fee discounts, potential class-action suits against health insurers improperly demanding refunds of approved claims; and endorsement by associations of products and services. Rick Miller, ACA legislative representative, and Tom Daly, ACA general counsel, gave an analysis and update of the health care reform legislation pending in Congress.
The NACA is an apolitical group of lawyers who represent state and regional chiropractic associations, chiropractic colleges, state chiropractic licensing boards, the ACA and the ICA. Members of NACA continuously communicate and share information via e-mail. A member with an issue can receive instant input, brainstorming and information about the issue from other members from across the country.
The NACA meets in November and June to conduct legal seminars, hold panel discussions and address developing legal issues affecting chiropractic. For information about the June 2010 meeting, contact NACA President Paul Watson Lambert at lambertlawfirm@aol.com or by calling 850 577-9028.
