Guest guest Posted June 23, 2001 Report Share Posted June 23, 2001 Weekly Report >Memorandum to: ACA Board of Governors, House of Delegates and Other >Interested Parties >From: Cuneo >Re: ACA Weekly Report >June 20,2001 > >The following issues are included in this week's report: > >· LAWSUIT UPDATE >· ACA CLARIFICATION STATEMENT ON HCR 46 >· VA FEELS SOME HEAT >· MANAGED CARE BILL MOVEMENT >· ACA IN THE NEWS >· STATE FARM HELPFUL >· NEW PHONE SERIES ON MEDICARE >· AWARDS, RESOLUTIONS AND BYLAWS >· NEW HOD AWARD FOR RESEARCH >· CHAIRMAN IN ALABAMA >· MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION HELPS MEMBERSHIP > >LAWSUIT UPDATE > >Nothing to report from the courts regarding the lawsuits against HCFA and >Trigon Blue Cross Shield > >Significant contributions received this week include: $500 from the Colorado >Chiropractic Association, bringing their total to $7,000, and $4,000 from the >Northeast District of the Kansas Chiropractic Association. > >ACA CLARIFICATION STATEMENT ON HCR 46 > >To ensure that the chiropractic profession and Capitol Hill are clear on >ACA's position on House Concurrent Resolution 46, the ACA has issued the >following clarification statement: > >The ACA has received various inquiries regarding the association's position >on House Concurrent Resolution 46, which was introduced in the U.S. Congress >in March of this year. House Concurrent Resolution 46 was authored by >Representative Don Manzullo (R-Illinois) and was introduced in Congress at >the behest of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA). House Concurrent >Resolution 46 contains a statement that it is the " sense " of Congress that >chiropractic care should be made available as a covered benefit in all >Federal Employee Health Benefits Plans (FEHBP). Prior to its introduction, >the ACA was afforded an opportunity to review a " draft " of the proposed >resolution by Representative Manzullo's office. The ACA is pleased to >support the " spirit " of House Concurrent Resolution 46, and the association >remains appreciative of Representative Manzullo's interest in and support of >the chiropractic profession. > >The ACA remains under an obligation to inform its members that the proposal >contains certain limitations. As House concurrent Resolution 46 is strictly >a congressional " resolution, " the proposal is non-binding and would not have >the force of law should it be approved by Congress. Accordingly, even if >House Concurrent resolution 46 were to pass Congress, additional >congressional and/or executive branch action would be required in order to >ensure that chiropractic care is made available in all FEHBP plans. Because >of this important limitation, the ACA is placing an emphasis on other >strategies for addressing FEHBP issues. >These include, but are not limited to: a targeted lobbying campaign directed >toward the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the agency which sets the >requirements for the FEHBP program, by select members of Congress enlisted by >the ACA for this effort; and the advancement of binding, statutory provisions >of law to ensure the inclusion of chiropractic care in all FEHBP plans. As we >have done in the past, the ACA will provide specific advice and instructions >to its members and state chiropractic associations regarding the optimal time >for launching grassroots action in support of this and other federal-related >issues. > >VA FEELS SOME HEAT > >At the invitation of the House Veterans Committee, the ACA attended a meeting >on June 13 to discuss the VA's resistance to fully integrate chiropractic >care into the VA health care system. Also in attendance were representatives >from the ACC and ICA, Congressman Lane (D-IL), ranking Democrat on the >full VA Committee, Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA), ranking >Democrat on the VA Health Subcommittee, Congressman Jerry Moran (R-KS), >Chairman of the VA Health Subcommittee, Congressman Steve Buyer (R-IN), >Chairman of the VA House Oversight Subcommittee, and three officials from the >VA. All three chiropractic groups were united in their strong disappointment >with VA's current position on chiropractic care and their support for the >passage of legislation that would mandate the inclusion of chiropractic in >the VA. The members of Congress in attendance shared their disappointment >with VA's position as well. In their remarks, members of the House VA >Committee made it clear that the VA better include a strong chiropractic >benefit in its health care system (in the very near future) or Congress would >force the VA to do so by passing strong legislation. The ACA will keep you >apprised of any further developments. > >MANAGED CARE BILL MOVEMENT > >The ACA has continued its effort to pass comprehensive managed care reform >legislation. The lead managed care reform bill in the Senate was introduced >by Senator McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA). Because of the >recent change of power, the Senate will likely consider the McCain/Kennedy >bill this week. > >Although the ACA has worked for many years on the passage of comprehensive >managed care reform legislation, it has not officially endorsed the >McCain/Kennedy bill. ACA legal counsel has a concern with the >internal/external review provision in the legislation, which is limited to >medical physicians only. The ACA Legislative Commission and Board of >Governors shared this concern. The Legislative Commission recommended and >the Board of Governors directed ACA staff to work with the Senate to change >the internal/external review provision so it would be based on peer review >(DCs reviewing chiropractic claims). If legislation is not changed to the >satisfaction of legal counsel, the ACA would review its position and possibly >oppose the legislation. The ACA is currently working with Senator Tom Harkin >(D-IA) to address this issue. It is very likely that Senator Harkin will >submit a floor amendment on behalf of the ACA regarding this issue when the >managed care reform legislation is considered by the full Senate early next >week. The ACA will alert the chiropractic profession when grassroots action >is necessary. > >ACA IN THE NEWS > >As a result of ACA's media relations efforts, the president of ACA's Council >on Occupational Health is becoming widely recognized as an expert on >child-related ergonomics issues. A reporter for the Chicago Tribune >recently interviewed Dr. Bautch after the ACA distributed a news >release on exercising outdoors with your baby safely. With an array of >products unheard of a generation ago - like baby carriers, joggers and >trailers - even the tiniest among us are enjoying the great outdoors, and Dr. >Bautch provided tips on how to use these products safely. In addition, Dr. >Bautch was also interviewed by a writer for the Washington Post on the >subject of backpack safety - the third time he has been interviewed by the >Post this year. We expect both of these articles to be published within the >next few weeks. > >In addition to the interviews with the Chicago Tribune and the Washington >Post, ACA's media relations staff has also arranged recent interviews with >many other media organizations. ACA's national spokesperson, Dr. Jerome >Mcs, as well as ACA staff and other chiropractic experts have >participated in interviews with the following media organizations over the >past few weeks: > >The Los Angeles Times >Rocky Mountain News >USA Today.com >Cleveland Scene >Biomechanics Magazine >Natural Health Magazine >The Star-Ledger, New Jersey >The Stamford Advocate > >STATE FARM HELPFUL > >The contacts developed at State Farm through the Insurer Claim Solutions Work >Group a have proven once again to be helpful to ACA members. Recently a >member was treated unfairly in a small claims action by State Farm's outside >defense counsel. Our contact at State Farm reported this to the local agency >that audits claim and legal behavior and an investigation is underway. > >In another complaint, Pat has alerted State Farm's national >headquarters to a potential IME problem in Indiana. Working through the >Indiana State Delegate, a formal inquiry letter has been sent to State Farm >for an IME investigation to ensure their practices are in line with the >information State Farm officials gave ACA officials last October in a >face-to-face meeting. > >NEW PHONE SERIES ON MEDICARE > >One of the most important assets in a chiropractic office is a well-trained >staff. With this in mind, the ACA has once again developed a CA training >series for 2001. Live, interactive audio teleconferences will be held on >three topics: Medicare, Chiropractic Terminology, and Risk Management. Tapes >of the conferences will also be available with all the written material >included. Dates for the series are June 26, Aug. 21, and Oct. 16, and all >the conferences are held from 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time. These >teleconferences are presented on a level appropriate for new or seasoned >staff, new doctors, or even veteran doctors looking for new and up-to-date >information. > >The first teleconference will cover Medicare. This teleconference will >provide practical, real-life applications for how Medicare works in your >office. Topics include billing, provider participation status, correct >Medicare coding, diagnosis coding, and the PART documentation process. >Here's an example of some of the material that will be covered: > >DID YOU KNOW: If you are a non-participating provider who decides to accept >assignment on a certain claim, you must accept the non-participating >allowable fee for that date of service. Even if you bill the limiting >charge, you must write off any amount over the non-participating allowance. > >For this and much more on the topic of Medicare, register for the first in >the series of audio teleconferences. Not available for the live conference? >Order the 90-minute audiocassette and build it into your training program. >Handouts are free with your order. For more information on this series, call >800-986-4636. > >AWARDS, RESOLUTIONS AND BYLAWS > >Resolutions and Awards must be received at the ACA office no later than July >17th. Council bylaws must be received no later than July 2nd. ACA bylaws >may only be considered during even years unless the HOD designates them as >emergency. > >NEW HOD AWARD FOR RESEARCH > >Nominations are requested for a research award and an academic award to be >presented at the August 2001 House of Delegates meeting. Awards are made in >recognition of those contributions that have fostered the growth and/or >understanding of chiropractic tenets or whose efforts have led to a >significant enhancement of the chiropractic paradigm. Specifically, the >Research Award shall recognize an individual for developing, refining and/or >expanding the body of knowledge in chiropractic. The academic award shall >recognize an individual for his/her efforts in advancing the profession >through academic or educational excellence. All names submitted should have >a letter of nomination that details the activity deemed worthy of receiving >the specified award. Please forward any letters of nomination to Garrett F. >Cuneo, ACA Corporate Secretary, by no later than July 17, 2001. > >CHAIRMAN IN ALABAMA > >I mentioned last week that Dr. Flynn addressed the attendees of the Alabama >Chiropractic Association. His presentation must have been outstanding, as we >received a number of calls from doctors praising his speech. In fact, one >doctor asked for forty membership applications. Thanks, Dr Flynn. > >MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION HELPS MEMBERSHIP > >Thanks to the efforts of Mississippi delegate Dr. Al Norville, the >Mississippi Chiropractic Association is allowing the ACA to include >membership information and applications in the material being distributed to >the attendees of the Mississippi Chiropractic Association convention in July. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2001 Report Share Posted June 27, 2001 ä¼å™‰à´¾â´Šâ´â´ä¼ 楲楧慮â¬æ•ç³æ¡â¥â´â´à´à´Šã°Šä¥„ã¹–à¨ç‰†æµ¯â€ºæ°\ ¦ã´ä‡æ¹µæ½¥æ…€æ±¯æŒ®æµ¯æœ¦ã´â¼¼ä¥„ã¹–ä¼å™‰à´¾åŠã©¯â˜ 瑬䜻畃敮ä¯æ½¡â¹¬æ\ ½£â™ç‘§ã°»ä¯å™‰ã°¾ä¥„ã¹–à¨æ•“瑮›敗湤ç¥æ…¤â±¹ä¨ æ¹µâ¥ãœ²â€¬ ã€²ã„°ã„ ã¨±ãˆ°ä„ ã±ä¯å™‰ã°¾ä¥„ã¹–à¨ç•“æ©¢æ¥ã©´åœ 敥汫â¹æ•’潰瑲⼼䥄ã¹\ –⼼䥄㹖à¨ä¼å™‰ã°¾å‰‚ã°¾ä¯å™‰à´¾> Memorandum to: ACA Board of Governors, House of Delegates and Other > Interested Parties > From: Cuneo > Re: Weekly Activity Report > Date: June 25, 2001 > > This week's report includes the following issues: > > · HCFA LAWSUIT UPDATE > · ACA, NATIONAL BLUES TALK: TRIGON WAR CONTINUES > · MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE WEEK > · NEW DATA GIVES SUPPORT FOR MEDICARE BILL > · WATKINS BILL PUSHED > · ACA LETTER APPEARS IN SPINE > · ACA SPEAKS TO URAC > · NORTHWESTERN MAKES A SELECTION > > HCFA LAWSUIT > > As expected, the government (HHS) filed its motion for summary judgment in > the HCFA suit. About the same time, the physical therapists filed a > provisional motion for summary judgment with the hope that their petition to > intervene is accepted by the courts. You will recall that in an earlier > brief the physical therapists argued that they could correct a subluxation. > In this brief, they argue that they have been authorized to be paid under > medicare for spinal manipulation from the beginning of the Medicare program. > Our doctors on the other hand weren't included in Medicare until 1972 so > therefore they argue that our doctors are the " interlopers " in the area of > spinal manipulation. Look for their next brief to claim that B.J. Palmer was > their founder.J > > ACA has sixty days to respond. > > > ACA, BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD TALK: TRIGON WAR CONTINUES > > Based on the initiative of the national Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association, > the ACA and the Virginia Chiropractic Association (VCA) have agreed to enter > into discussions with them to pursue possible settlement negotiations. The > national Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association has expressed a willingness to > discuss, in good faith, ways in which the problems and concerns of doctors of > chiropractic and their patients with Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans can be > addressed. They have also indicated a willingness to discuss with the ACA > other problem areas that might improve chiropractic patient access to both > state and federal Blue Cross/Blue Shield benefit programs. If discussions > are not productive, the ACA and VCA will revert to its previous legal action. > > Dr. Allan Korn, chief medical officer of the national Blue Cross/Shield > Association has addressed the White House Commission on Complimentary and > Alternative Medicine at its May 14, 2001 public hearing in Washington, D.C. > Included in his testimony were comments on chiropractic, provided below, > which give us hope that the discussions between the ACA and the national Blue > Cross/Blue Shield Association will have a positive outcome: > > In commenting on the current coverage offered for CAM programs, Dr. Korn made > the following observation: > > " However, for purposes of this statement, chiropractic is not considered to > be complimentary and alternative medicine. The Blue Cross/Blue Shield > Association believes that chiropractic has become a stakeholder in the > 'politically dominant health system' of the United States. The NIH Office of > Alternative Medicine defines complementary and alternative medicines as > healing resources outside the politically dominant system. " > > Dr. Korn's comments about chiropractic generated further comments from > members of the commission during the question-and-answer portion that > followed his presentation: > > MR. PIZZORNO: " Dr Korn, you made a very provocative statement that I would > like you to address further. You said you do not consider chiropractic part > of CAM anymore, that it is part of the dominant health care system at this > point. Why do you think that and what was the transition that chiropractic > went through? " > > DR KORN: " The chiropractors have gone through a very painful transition and > one that I would wish none of you would have to do. It is obviously a very > complex topic that I will try to summarize at a very, very high level… > > What we have observed over the past many years, four or five really, and we > have really actually come to understand quite clearly through some direct > discussions with the American Chiropractic Association is the profession has > evolved in a way that we find to be quite intriguing… > > What we have observed, the data would suggest that with that kind of > approach, patients are far more likely to change their behavior, to not > smoke, to lose weight, to exercise, to eat properly than being told to do so > by someone sitting on the other side of the desk, writing a progress note in > an allopathic office… > > So, we could talk a great deal more about it, but we have become impressed > with the contribution that that model of care has in the global picture. > Again, that is overlaid on a long history and many other things, but that is > why, at this point, it probably makes sense to put them outside of the CAM > circle. " > > The lawsuit continues, however, in ACA's and VCA's action against Trigon Blue > Cross/Blue Shield of Virginia, the other defendant in the lawsuit. That > action is currently awaiting the court's ruling on the pending motion to > dismiss filed by Trigon. > > > MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE WEEK > > This week, the California Chiropractic Association submitted a check for > $12,001, bringing their total Legal Action Fund contribution to $27,001. The > Association for Chiropractic Colleges presented a check for $50,000, > fulfilling a pledge that they made at NCLC, bringing their total > contributions to $100,000. The Ohio Chiropractic Association contributed an > additional $3,000, bringing their total to $26,465. Meanwhile, the ACA > delegate from Oklahoma sent in checks from two of Oklahoma's state > associations. The Oklahoma State Chiropractic Association contributed > $1,500, bringing their total contribution to $2,500, while the Joint > Chiropractic Association of Oklahoma submitted a check for $1,500. > > For a complete list of contributors as of May 1, 2001 go to: > http://www.acatoday.com/pdf/contributors.pdf > > NEW DATA GIVES SUPPORT FOR MEDICARE BILL > > ACA commissioned a study of Medicare cost data by the well-known > Washington,D.C.-based firm, Muse & Associates. The study, titled > " Utilization, Costs, and Effects of Chiropractic Care on > Medicare Program Costs, " is the first study of its type to compare the > global, per capita Medicare expenditures of chiropractic patients to those of > non-chiropractic patients receiving care in the federal Medicare program. > > The study utilizes data obtained from Medicare's Standard Analytical Files > for 1999; the most recent year cost data is available for analysis. > Preliminary results from the study indicate that: 1) beneficiaries who > received chiropractic care had lower average Medicare payments for all > Medicare services than those who did not; 2) beneficiaries who received > chiropractic care averaged fewer Medicare claims per capita than those who > did not; 3) beneficiaries who received chiropractic care had lower average > Medicare payments per claim than those who did not. The report is finalized > and the ACA will distribute it to Capitol Hill. As an aside, the charts in > the report were reviewed by HCFA to be sure that the data was used > appropriately. > > WATKINS BILL PUSHED > > The results of the Muse study will be used to bolster the ACA's legislative > efforts to expand the availability of chiropractic care in Medicare and to > expand the list of chiropractic-related services the Medicare program would > reimburse. The ACA legislation is known as the Chiropractic Patients' > Freedom of Choice Act (H.R. 902), introduced in the House of Representatives > by Congressman Wes Watkins (R-OK ), would reimburse doctors of chiropractic > for all services permitted by state law. The ACA is currently seeking to > attach provisions included in H.R. 902 to any Medicare reform legislation > that Congress will consider this year. With very few exceptions, such as the > civil rights laws of the 1960s, stand-alone bills are virtually impossible to > pass through Congress. President Bush's administration submitted last week > its provisions for Medicare reform that we can expect in the coming months > that Medicare legislation would be submitted. > > We are urging that doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic patients to > aggressively lobby Congress to expand chiropractic services under Medicare. > The Watkins bill currently has forty co-sponsors, including the newest: Rick > Boucher of Virginia and Jack Kingston of Georgia. > > With the release of the Muse report we will be upgrading the grassroots > efforts, anticipating stronger bi-partisan support for this measure. > > See ACA's website for further details: www.acatoday.com/government/briefs.html > > ACA LETTER APPEARS IN SPINE > > A letter from ACA president A. Mertz, DC, DACBR, appears in the June > 15, 2001 issue of the journal Spine. The letter was written back in December > 2000 in response to a study claiming that by giving primary care physicians > 18 hours of educational and skill workshops on manual therapy they would be > able to offer improved outcomes for patients with acute low back pain. A > copy of ACA's letter can be found on our Web site at > www.acatoday.com/media/letters/spine.html. > > ACA SPEAKS TO URAC > > Dr. Krippendorf, Board of Governors, was asked by the president of the > Utilization Review Accrediting Commission (URAC) to provide information on > the state of the art of chiropractic. URAC is the largest Managed Care > credentialing agency in the country. > > On June 20, 2001, at URAC headquarters in Washington, D.C., Dr. Krippendorf > presented information on the discrimination against the profession and what > fundamental changes need to take place to meet the public's demand for > chiropractic access. He clearly influenced the thinking of URAC's president > to continue educational forums on the chiropractic clinical model, which can > reach 1,000 URAC clients. Considering how the adoption of doctors of > chiropractic as primary care physicians will change the very face of Managed > Care and the work URAC does, there is a high interest in building an > association-to-association partnership. > > NORTHWESTERN MAKES A SELECTION > Northwestern Health Sciences University announced the appointment of Alfred > Traina, D.C., as president of the University. Dr. Traina replaces Dr. > burg, a successful, long-time president of the school. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2001 Report Share Posted July 31, 2001 Weekly Report > Memorandum to: ACA Board of Governors, House of Delegates and Other > Interested Parties > From: Cuneo > Re: ACA EVP Weekly Report > Date: July 28,2001 > > In this week's report: > > · SIGNIFICANT RULING IN THE LAWSUIT AGAINST TRIGON BLUE CROSS/SHIELD > · MCANDREWS BRIEFS STATE ASSOCIATIONS AND DELEGATES > · FUNDRAISER FOR FILNER IN CALIFORNIA > · PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS LEGISLATION IN FLUX > · NEW FORM REQUIRED BY HCFA > · PHYSICAL THERAPISTS MEAN BUSINESS > · MEDICAL OFFICER OF NATIONAL BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD SPEAKS AT ANNUAL > MEETING > · ACA HELPS DOCTORS AT CAPITAL > · ACA SCORES BIG AT COUNCIL CONVENTION > · ACA OFFERS BULK DISCOUNTS TO STATE ASSOCIATIONS ON TWO NEW PRODUCTS > > SIGNIFICANT RULING IN THE LAWSUIT AGAINST TRIGON BLUE CROSS/SHIELD > > A federal judge has ruled that the American Chiropractic Association/Virginia > Chiropractic Association lawsuit against Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield, one > of the largest health plans in the country, may move forward. In a momentous > decision, Judge P. of the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, VA, > allowed 6 of the 8 counts against the plan to remain in the case. > > Judge ruled that the claims against Trigon, if proven at trial, are > sufficient to support a judgment. made his ruling after extensive > briefing by defendant Trigon and the lawyers representing the American > Chiropractic Association (ACA), the Virginia Chiropractic Association (VCA), > five doctors of chiropractic and 18 chiropractic patients. > > The court's ruling opens the doors to the discovery phase of the trial, which > will include a detailed examination of Trigon documents and the taking of > sworn depositions of Trigon executives, policy makers, third-party physicians > (including medical directors) and other third parties with whom they deal. > > This ruling and this case has significance beyond the borders of Virginia > where this trial is being held. A favorable ruling by the judge to one or > more of the remaining counts will have a major impact on not only Trigon, but > on carriers across the country. > > MCANDREWS BRIEFS STATE ASSOCIATIONS AND DELEGATES > > Over thirty-five leaders of state associations and delegates participated in > a conference call last Wednesday with Mr. Mcs. Mr. Mcs > outlined the progress that has been made in the ACA lawsuits against HHS and > against the Blues. The judge's decision in the Trigon suit had been received > just that morning, so you can imagine the excitement of the participants when > the announcement was made. > > The Trigon decision means we have an opportunity to learn first-hand through > discovery the reasons why this profession hasn't been able to reach its > fullest potential. But discovery is expensive and we need your help. Please > submit your contribution to the National Chiropractic Legal Action Fund > today. For further information on making a contribution, go to > http://www.acatoday.com/pdf/legal_action.pdf. > > > FUNDRAISER FOR FILNER IN CALIFORNIA > > The ACA-PAC is sponsoring a fundraiser for Congressman Bob Filner, Ranking > Democrat on the subcommittee for health of the House Veterans Affairs > Committee. Congressman Filner has been a long time supporter of this > profession, assisting us last year in getting language inserted into the DOD > bill making chiropractic available to our armed services and in being one of > our strongest proponents (and critics of the VA) of having chiropractic > included in the Veterans Administration. The fundraiser is scheduled for > August 17th at the San Diego Padres baseball game at Qaulcomm Stadium in San > Diego beginning at 7:05 pm. There will be a private box for Congressman > Filner and his chiropractic supporters. It will be a great opportunity to > enjoy a night of baseball and show your appreciation to a great chiropractic > supporter. Reservations are $100 per person (sponsors $250) and include a > ticket to the game plus food and beverages. Make your personal check payable > to Filner for Congress. For more details, ask for Lesley or in the PAC > office at 1-800-986-4636. > > Please note: Filner for Congress cannot accept corporate checks. Only > personal checks can be accepted. Donations to Filner for Congress are not tax > deductible for the purpose of federal income tax. Federal law requires > political committees to use best efforts to obtain and report the name, > mailing address, occupation, and employer of each individual who contribute > more than $200 in a calendar year. > > PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS LEGISLATION IN FLUX > > Conflicting reports are being generated in the press about the state of the > Patients' Bill of Rights Bill. On Wednesday it was reported that the > Republican leadership was going to postpone a vote on the bill until after > the August recess, acknowledging that they didn't have the votes for their > own version (Fletcher bill, alternative to the Norwood/Dingell bill) that is > supported by President Bush. On Thursday, there was an increase of activity > by the president, and speculation was that it would come to a vote next week. > Friday's paper talked about the meeting between Congressman Charlie Norwood, > one of the leading spokespersons for the Patients' Bill of Rights and author > of the legislation two years ago sponsored ACA-led PARCA, and the president, > to develop a possible compromise. It is not clear whether the president and > Norwood will be successful in selling these compromises to others, including > the Republican leadership in the House. Based on Congressman Armey's > unfavorable comments about compromise and the negative noise some Democrats > are making , it's a pretty good guess that there will not be a vote scheduled > next week. > > As you know, the ACA has not endorsed the Patients' Bill of Rights due to a > concern with the internal/external review provisions. To protect doctors of > chiropractic and chiropractic patients, the ACA is actively working with > proponents of the bill on language that would address this issue. This > language is straight out of the Medicare manual. The language reads, > " Judgments about the reasonableness of chiropractic treatment must be based > on the application of chiropractic principles. " The delay in the > consideration of the managed care legislation will give the chiropractic > profession more time to incorporate this important language. It is > imperative that you call your representative and request that he/she work to > incorporate the specific chiropractic language in the internal/external > provisions in whatever managed care bill that is considered in the House. > You can reach your member of Congress at (202) 224-3121. > > As an aside the Republican leadership in the House who support the > alternative bill (Fletcher et al) have indicated a willingness to include our > language in return for our support. Unfortunately, the bill contains other > provisions that are unacceptable. Here are some specific concerns: 1) the > legislation contains Association Health Plans (as known as MEWAs) 2) the > point of service provision contains a number of loopholes, which would limit > patient choice 3) the legislation limits patients' right to sue their HMO. > Call GR for more details. > > NEW FORM REQUIRED BY HCFA > > The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly known as the > Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), has developed a standardized > Advance Beneficiary Notification (ABN), also known as a Waiver of Liability. > The form number is HCFA-R-131. Medicare providers will soon be required to > use this form when informing their patients when, in their opinion, Medicare > will not pay for a particular item or services that would otherwise by > covered. For doctors of chiropractic, this would only be the CMT codes > 98940-98942. As of July 1, 2001, this new form may be used, and is > considered to be a model notice. As soon as CMS published final instructions > regarding the use of the form -- which could be as soon as this fall -- all > Medicare providers will be required to use it. For more information go to: > http://www.acatoday.com/medicare/abn.html > > > PHYSICAL THERAPISTS MEAN BUSINESS > > We are continuing to monitor with concern the activities of the physical > therapists. A number of their recent activities point to a new > aggressiveness, including their attempt to intervene in the lawsuit against > HCFA, claiming that they do " manual manipulation of spine to correct a > subluxation, " their legislative goal of obtaining the " physician " status > under Medicare and the American Legislative Exchange Council's passage of a > resolution calling on the elimination of the referral requirement for > patients seeking access to physical therapists. > > So how serious a threat do they present to the profession? Let's look at > their statistics and the information they provide, and you be the judge. In > a recent PAC fundraising letter, they claimed to have collected $850,000 > during the 1999-2000 reporting period. In reviewing their actual reportable > contributions, as available on the FEC Web page, figures show $626,342 during > this specific period. Compare this to $443,342.55 of ACA-PAC hard money > contributions for the same period of time. > > In terms of the comparative strength of both organizations, the Association > Yellow Book (Winter 2000) reported the following: > > American Chiropractic Association: Members: 18,000 > Employees: 40 Annual Budget $6.5 million > > American Physical Therapy Association: Members: 74,000 > Employees: 168 Annual Budget: $27 million > > Two observations from these statistics: > > 1) Since only members can contribute to a PAC, I remain amazed and proud of > ACA members and their support of our PAC. > 2) Why aren't more doctors members of the ACA when the threat of the > physical therapists is so obvious? > > You won't find more than one national physical therapy association, and given > their relative lack of success in recent years, I am sure there is discontent > within the physical therapy population. But instead of taking their cards > and starting a new association and splitting up into three or four groups, > they try to reform from within. What a frustration that we as a profession > cannot see the " big picture " while our enemies grow in strength. > > We will continue to monitor these activities and provide information to the > state associations in their fight against the physical therapists. > > WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? > > Some of you who have been receiving this report are not members of the ACA. > However, your name was recommended to receive this report, because you have a > great interest in the progress of this profession. We believe it is > important that the profession recognizes what is occurring within the health > care community and elsewhere that has a direct impact on our doctors. I hope > that these reports provide you with information that is helpful. But as a > non-member, I need to ask you this question: What more needs to be done to > persuade you that membership in the ACA is a necessity? I think my reports > show to you that the ACA is an active organization with numerous initiatives > in the legislature, in court, with the media, and with the insurance > industry. I don't think anyone doubts the threat posed by the physical > therapists or that the new health environment increases the competitiveness > among health care providers for the every shrinking health care dollar and > that a strong national organization is more essential than ever in these > battles. And further I think that you, in your heart of hearts, regardless > of your opinion of the ACA, believes that we are the only national > organization that can make a difference in these battles. We have > accomplished a lot with only a fraction of the profession on board. Can you > imagine what we could accomplish if we had even 50% of the profession, or > numbers closer to our nearest opponent, the APTA? Please join the ACA today. > I have provided you with a link to a membership application here: > http://www.acatoday.com/about_aca/application.html. > > MEDICAL OFFICER OF NATIONAL BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD SPEAKS AT ANNUAL MEETING > > Dr. Allan Korn, Chief Medical Officer for national Blue Cross/Blue Shield > Association, will address the ACA delegates and all others in attendance at > ACA's annual meeting scheduled from August 30 to September 1 at the > Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in St. sburg, Florida. Dr. Korn > will present on Saturday, September 1 and will be joined by Mcs, > who will provide an update on the lawsuits against HHS and Trigon Blue > Cross/Blue Shield. It should be interesting. Also being offered on that day > is a seminar by Dr Alan Sokoloff, the chiropractic doctor for the Baltimore > Ravines, on sports medicine.(C.E.credit being sought for this program). And > of course we have Dr. Zonnya, First Lady of Motivation, presenting on > Thursday evening. A lot of good reasons to join your fellow doctors in St. > sburg. > > Here's the info on the annual meeting: > http://www.acatoday.com/about_aca/meetings.html. > > ACA HELPS DOCTORS AT CAPITAL > > Assisting doctors in Washington, D.C., GR staff is joining with legal counsel > to stop efforts under consideration by the Washington, D.C. city government > to take the independent chiropractic board and make it part of the medical > board. The ACA was behind the efforts over ten years ago to create the > chiropractic board and is supporting the efforts of the local doctors, > spearheaded by Dr. Bruce Nordstrom, to maintain its independence. > > ACA SCORES BIG AT COUNCIL CONVENTION > > ACA vice president Dr. Daryl Wills and Kathy Mills of ACA's PDR office each > spoke at the recent convention of the Family Practice Council. Dr. Wills > spoke about various ACA activities, while Kathy presented a seminar on > coding. Both received outstanding reviews, and equally important, made some > definite impressions. Consider the following: 18 new members signed up and > $2,854 in products were sold. A great weekend for ACA. Thanks Dr. Wills and > Kathy. > > ACA OFFERS BULK DISCOUNTS TO STATE ASSOCIATIONS ON TWO NEW PRODUCTS > > The ACA is always looking for new ways to help members improve productivity, > increase patient load, and cut costs. We know state associations face the > same challenges to improve member service. That's why we're teaming up with > state leaders to offer doctors of chiropractic two popular new > practice-building resources. The Medicare Solutions Manual and the newly > revised What Research Shows about Chiropractic Care brochure are available in > bulk for up to 40% off the already reduced ACA member price. Call > 1-800-368-3083 for details. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2005 Report Share Posted June 18, 2005 Great week Carolyn!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 > i am 3lbs closer to my goal this week... > Congrats on the loss!! > started and managed to finally finish one of the exercise videos > yesterday...i had started it for the last 3 mornings but finally > finished the whole thing yesterday!! > Keep up the great work!! You will get to the point that you actually miss working out if you skip it. > i am not hurting in the usual places...i now have whole new places to > hurt... > LOL... I am always hurting someplace or so it seems. I did realize last night that going up the steps to our bedroom were not as bad as they have been. I actually thought they were pretty easy. That is scary! I have had nights where after standing on my feel all night and then sitting after I got home I was so stiff I wasn't sure I was going to make it all the way up before morning. > i just have to keep those goals in mind...and keep on keepin' on... > Yep! I see you have mini goals. I have always found that a 10lb loss is the way for me with all that I have had to lose. I don't put a time limit on it, just a goal to be reached. I still have a long way to go. I have actually met my last mini goal, but not " officially " for weigh in so that will wait until Saturday when I weigh in for the group. My next goal will be a little more, it will be 12lbs instead of the normal 10 but that is because it will be the 50lb mark for since mid February. > i do promise myself i will not beat myself up over any of these > goals...just rejoice when each is reached...regardless of the > timetable... > Yep.. the way to do it! You are doing great! a in MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Great post! I am impressed with your focus and goals set. You will make it! Doesn't it feel kind of good to feel hurt in "new" places after a good work out? It is awful in a way, but yet, kind of good... you are accomplishing something! You are succeeding! You are claiming your spot! Take care, a in MN weekly report okay...one more time again now...i am 3lbs closer to my goal this week...started and managed to finally finish one of the exercise videos yesterday... i had started it for the last 3 mornings but finally finished the whole thing yesterday!!i have walked the 10 minutes the doctor asked for on the last 2 days...i am not hurting in the usual places...i now have whole new places to hurt...i just have to keep those goals in mind...and keep on keepin' on...goals...tiny one...lose 2 a week...i beat that with 3 this time...mini one...be under 300 by the end of july...i am at 302 now...from 310 on the first and from 350 all time high...larger one...250 if possible by new years eve...i counted up 2 per week and i think this possible...huge one...200 hopefully by next year on another birthday...much prayer involved here...dream one...150 by new years eve 2010...that will be spectacular. ..perfection.. .120...for my 4'11" body...this is suppose to be the ideal...i am not gonna die for this one...i am 51 after all...but wouldn't it be lovely...i do promise myself i will not beat myself up over any of these goals...just rejoice when each is reached...regardles s of the timetable...one step at a time...thanks for all your support and being there with you posts along the way...i do not feel so alone...praise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 > goal for july was to get under 300... > > this week had me lose another 5!!!! > > so i am at 294... Congrats!! You are doing great! > it certainly helps on my moring trip around the block... > it still takes me 10 minutes some mornings even 15 but i am still > moving my poor little tired body...which is more than before... > Keep up the good work! > tell me if you weigh when you get up and maybe after your walk to > experiment...do you take the lower one???hahaha!!! > i guess that was minus the water i sweated...huh? LOL... Ok both hubby and I have done this after working out and for some reason the scales say we both *GAIN* between .2 and .4 afterward. I don't understand it, but oh well. I don't do that anymore, I was just curious to see what would happen and after a few times to see it was rather consistent was enough a in MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 well another week... do you like rollercoasters? i do... but not when it is in a week like this one... even yesterday i woke up 4lbs heavier than i was this morning!!! after some seriously nasty toilet trots and several pee sessions including in the night it all went away... i tried to look at what i had done to deserve this and found... yes i do not need to buy chips for my son and eat them... (sodium is not my friend)(talk about water rentition) yes i need to be VERY careful about those labels BEFORE i buy... (some yogurt has corn syrup sitting right in them) (corn syrup is not my friend)(can we say inflamation) if this is gonna work i have to be careful and watch myself... i think my only saving grace was that i have upped my walk time... i was going around the block and it was taking between 10 to 15 min. monday i decided 6 weeks was long enough since i could now still breathe after my walk soooooo i went around twice! took me 25 min and then did a repeat yesterday... (i am proud of me) so in the midst of all this rollercoaster excitement i did manage to drop 1 pound this week...one more i never have to see again...(that is if i stay away from the salt and corn syrup...)this is a total of 20 so far... thanks for the contact and keep on writing it is so nice to know i am not alone... bye for now praise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 > > i tried to look at what i had done to deserve this and found... > yes i do not need to buy chips for my son and eat them... > (sodium is not my friend)(talk about water rentition) > Heat and Humidity do this for me... UGH! My feet get all puffy and hurt a little. It thankfully hasn't been that bad here lately! > yes i need to be VERY careful about those labels BEFORE i buy... > (some yogurt has corn syrup sitting right in them) > (corn syrup is not my friend)(can we say inflamation) > Have you looked at the Dannon Lite and Fit yogurt? I'm not sure what the ingredients are but I do know that it is only 80 calories per 1 cup serving so I would think there would be any corn syrup in it. I buy it in the 32 ounce container in vanilla and add frozen or fresh fruit to it to add even more flavor. > if this is gonna work i have to be careful and watch myself... > i think my only saving grace was that i have upped my walk time... > i was going around the block and it was taking between 10 to 15 min. > monday i decided 6 weeks was long enough since i could now still > breathe after my walk soooooo i went around twice! took me 25 min and > then did a repeat yesterday... (i am proud of me) > WOOOHOOO!!! You are doing great!! Keep up the good work!! Before long you will be going 3 times around! > so in the midst of all this rollercoaster excitement i did manage to > drop 1 pound this week...one more i never have to see again...(that > is if i stay away from the salt and corn syrup...)this is a total of > 20 so far... That is Great! I know I saw the scale at a number that I haven't seen in many MANY years this morning, it is a wonderful feeling to see it going down! Congrats again! a > > thanks for the contact and keep on writing it is so nice to know i am > not alone... > bye for now > praise > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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