Comments on: The Supreme Court’s health care decision: What it does—and does not—mean

By: Daniel Bockmann, DC

Daniel Bockmann, DC — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:38:06 +0000

Personally I was pretty amazed that the Supreme Court came back with this decision, but I think it may end up a moot issue. Romney has already pledged to repeal the law if elected, and even if he doesn’t gain office, mandating individuals purchase insurance only works if people can afford to buy it. And if they can’t, the rest of the country picks up the tab for it, which probably means higher taxes for all of us…

By: Russell Berg D.C.

Russell Berg D.C. — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 01:17:17 +0000

Enjoy it while you have it. We have to demonstrate an impairment with BCBS before they will pay. Pain is no longer a covered benefit unless they demonstrate some type of impairment.

By: Jason Nardi, D.C

Jason Nardi, D.C — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 18:22:10 +0000

In Alaska we have provider equality. So this isn’t entirely new to us here, and it is nice, I won’t lie. Especially in a state where almost everyone is insured and a cash practice is near impossible.

My big concern is that I have many patients who aren’t not under care for musculoskeletal complaints. I do battle with their provider for their number of visits, but I wonder how much of the “evidence-based medicine” game will be played in the near future.

Last thing we need, our patients need, is to hear from insurers that chiropractic can’t help them for things like tinnitus, IBS or MS.

I still can’t figure out why the law wasn’t a mandate to the insurance industry. Congress already has the power over interstate commerce, and all they needed to do was open up the “borders” and allow individuals and companies the ability to buy insurance over state lines.

By: Russell Berg D.C.

Russell Berg D.C. — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 02:25:34 +0000

They hired ACN along with Aetna and Cigna. We opted out of the contract and after being in practice for over 30 years and having good affiliations with other medical providers, I have been able to stay ahead of the political battle.

By: Frank M. Painter, D.C.

Frank M. Painter, D.C. — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 01:20:49 +0000

Hi Russell,

What did the AZ Blues do? Adopt a Medicare rate card? Or hire ACN to take over chiropractic management of claims?

It’s apparent you figured out what to do…don’t play their game…go cash.

These Companies compete for business by claiming that they offer alternative/complementary care, provided by DCs. That is only true because DCs sign a contract with them.

If you signed a Contract, and that Company lowers your rate card significantly, RESIGN YOUR CONTRACT.

By: Russell Berg D.C.

Russell Berg D.C. — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 02:46:07 +0000

I can tell you that in Arizona many chiropractors have gone out of business because of the new guidelines Blue Cross have levied. Most of my practice is cash now, but the good thing is that patients continue to pay because of their success with chiropractic. When I was involved in a pain group at a local hospital I was asked to lecture them on chiropractic and at my conclusion I said “I see your failures and help 80% of them.” That sent a strong message that continues to be true today.

By: Frank M. Painter, D.C.

Frank M. Painter, D.C. — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 23:10:43 +0000

Hi Russell, As you well know, there are NO guarantees in life, but...

There are a TON of studies showing that Chiropractic Care is MUCH more cost-effective than "usual care" for the things we normally "treat"

More Insurers than ever now preferentially steer patients to Chiropractic to capture that savings

so... NOW, MORE THAN EVER, DCs need to support their National Association (take your pick) so that they have the MONEY required to continue to oversee each step in the ongoing adoption of this Law. If you don't act in your own best interest NOW, who will you have to blame later on???

By: Frank M. Painter, D.C.

Frank M. Painter, D.C. — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 04:46:20 +0000

In case you are biting your fingernails, please review this: http://www.chiro.org/wordpress/?p=3333 Among the important changes in the recently passed health reform law is Section 2706, which makes it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate against providers acting within the scope of their state licenses. Predictably, medical physicians who have benefited from many decades of discrimination now seek to turn back the clock and reinstate the pro-discrimination policies that have served them so well for so long.

READ PAGE 51 of the actual Law: http://housedocs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf

You may also want to read: Health Care Bill Update ~ How It Effects Chiropractic

By: Russell Berg

Russell Berg — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 01:01:00 +0000

As a chiropractor there are real concerns that we will be given the crumbs left over. As it stands medicare only covers a person if they have an impairment that can be documented. I understand that 500 billion dollars will be taken from medicare to assist in this program. What I see is more insurances adopting medicare guidelines with increasing premiums and less care as time goes forward. I hope I am wrong.