FW: Week in Review (February 02, 2012)

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F.Y.I., from the ACA……Vern Saboe From: The American Chiropractic Association [mailto:memberinfo@...] Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 4:34 PMvsaboe@...Subject: Week in Review (February 02, 2012) Having trouble viewing this email? Click here CTOP Stories Networks Questionnaire - ACA Calls on Profession to Respond Over the course of the past several years, ACA has been examining the practices of chiropractic networks. Recently, concerns about these networks has increased dramatically to the point of additional investigative efforts being put forth by ACA. In order to effectively capture the voice of DCs regarding these issues, a questionnaire has been developed to give both members and non-members the opportunity to share their experiences about chiropractic networks. Responding to this questionnaire will help ACA understand the effects these networks have on profession, and will also help the association better position itself for future efforts. ACA needs your help! Please click here or go to https://networks-aca.questionpro.com and complete the questionnaire by Feb. 24th. This questionnaire will also be emailed to members tomorrow. If you have any questions, please contact the ACA's Insurance Relations Department at Insinfo@.... Use your e-mail address to login to Members' Only sections of ACA's Website. Forgot your password? Update your account information Join ChiroVoice.org As Countdown to NCLC Begins, Essential Benefits Issue Remains Paramount In today's video message, ACA Senior Vice President of Government Relations Falardeau and ACA political consultant Rick discuss the issues on tap for the upcoming National Chiropractic Legislative Conference (NCLC) in Washington, D.C and address why it is so vital for DCs and students to attend. Additionally, Falardeau and talk about the essential health benefits issue and ACA's comments filed with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week. PQRS: What You Need to Know About Participating in 2012 Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), participation in Medicare's Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), previously known as PQRI, will be mandatory starting in 2015. However, PLEASE NOTE that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently ruled that providers not successfully/satisfactorily participating in PQRS by the 2013 reporting period (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2013), will have their Medicare reimbursement decreased by 1.5 percent beginning in 2015, and 2 percent in 2016. Therefore, the 2012 reporting period is the last opportunity providers have to voluntarily participate in PQRS and learn how to report successfully/satisfactorily while incentives are still offered and their Medicare reimbursement is not subject to penalties.If you have never participated in PQRS, you may not know where to begin. To get started, review ACA's 2012 PQRS Guidebook, which provides step-by-step information on quality reporting. If you have any questions, contact gr@.... Victory for ACA Insurance Relations In April 2011, Humana Inc. published an article listing common indicators of fraud, waste and abuse that were inaccurate and reflected poorly on chiropractic care. Among those examples were " Billing E/M codes with a manipulation code " and " Billing E/M codes in place of manipulation codes. " ACA, with the help of the Colorado Local Liaison, Greg Crawford, DC, and the Colorado Chiropractic Association (CCA), separately responded to Humana with letters demanding that they retract their inaccurate and misleading statements. When Humana did not satisfy the initial request for action, ACA's Insurance Relations Department sent two additional letters that showed practice-neutral examples of fraudulent misrepresentation, and once again, requested that chiropractic-specific language no longer be used. On Jan. 30, ACA Senior Vice President of Insurance Relations, Laurie s-, received a phone call from Humana stating that they would remove the article from public viewing and refrain from using this language again in the future. ACA would like to thank everyone who participated in this initiative. If ACA's Insurance Relations Department can assist you, please contact us at insinfo@.... ACA Files Comments in Response to HHS Guidance on Essential Benefits In December, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a much-anticipated guidance bulletin on what essential health benefits must be included in plans offered by future state-regulated marketplaces or exchanges. The bulletin outlines that states will have the flexibility to choose from four different coverage options already available in the states themselves, an approach that may result in different benefit structures throughout the country. Last week, ACA submitted comments to HHS on the bulletin calling for continuous oversight on the vital issue of essential benefits with regard to patient access of services delivered by doctors of chiropractic. Follow health care reform by watching ACA videos from Capitol Hill and by checking the ACA health care reform webpage. Pay Less and Learn From the Best! On Feb. 18-19, the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. will play host to this year's must-attend continuing education event, The Ultimate Head, Shoulder and Neck Symposium. By participating in this outstanding seminar, DCs have the opportunity to earn 16 hours of continuing education credits while learning from some of the brightest minds in the chiropractic profession. Adding to the overall value of this event, ACA members can earn CEUs for as little as $6.75 per credit! To reserve your seat, click here. Don't Forget to Sign up for the PAC Raffle! ACA-PAC will give away three prizes at this year's National Chiropractic Legislative Conference (NCLC) on Feb. 14-19 in Washington, D.C. The grand prize will be a 47 " 3D HDTV w/3D Blu-Ray Disc Player. Second prize will be a 32GB Apple iPad2. Third prize is a $150 American Express Gift Card. Help support the only political action committee dedicated to supporting pro-chiropractic candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Enter now in order to participate in the prize giveaway drawing!Registration Open for CMS Spending Per Beneficiary Call The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national provider call on the Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary Measure (MSPB) on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 1:30 -3:00 p.m., EST. CMS subject matter experts will provide an overview on the background of the MSPB measure, as well as an explanation of how the measure is calculated regarding risk adjustment and payment standardization. To register, click here. In The Media ACA Member Seeks Second Super Bowl RingWhere will you be watching the Super Bowl on Sunday? ACA member Dr. Rob DeStefano, team DC for the NY Giants, will be on the field in Indianapolis treating players during the big game. NBC affiliate News 4 New York recently profiled Dr. DeStefano's already impressive work with the team and his second trip to the Super Bowl.Set your DVR! ACA Member Makes Second Appearance on " The Dr. Oz Show " ACA member Dr. Shoshany, will make his second appearance on The Dr. Oz Show on Wednesday, Feb. 8 (check your local listings for the time and channel number). Dr. Shoshany was invited to appear in a special segment about chiropractic care on the Emmy award-winning program. Be sure to read next week's issue of Week in Review for a link to the segment online. ACA Education Sign Up For Free Webinars! ACA has officially posted the dates, topics and speakers for the first five FREE webinars of 2012. The first webinar, scheduled for Feb. 14 at 9:00 p.m. EST., will teach participants how to create a patient care plan. To register, click here or visit www.acatoday.org/webinars. Specialty Councils Deadline for DABCI Exam Applications (3/15 preferred) Spring ACA Rehab Council 12th Annual Educational SymposiumMarch 30-April 1Westin Casuarina Hotel, Casino & Spa, Las Vegas, Nev. Council on Diagnostic Imaging Symposium April 21-22 Member Benefits and Products Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor is a 4th edition, best-selling reference compilation that offers an evidence-based approach to the most common presenting complaints. Covering both musculoskeletal and visceral complaints, the content is intended to direct DCs toward an appropriate plan in both diagnostic evaluation and care. Highlighting these approaches are flowcharts (algorithms), relevant historical questioning and summaries of common conditions related to the presenting complaint. For more information on what has been added to the 4th edition and how to order, click here.With each purchase you make on ShopACA.com, you help ACA implement new initiatives that benefit the profession. Thank you for your support! Constellation Energy - Members Save on Monthly Electric Bill Choose Constellation Energy as your electricity supplier through the American Chiropractic Association's exclusive affinity partnership and save on your monthly electric bill while also supporting the organization. You'll receive a $50 Visa® Prepaid Card and Constellation will make a donation to American Chiropractic Association for each successful enrollment! Click here to view savings in your area Or call 866.577-4700 and use Member Promo Code: ACAOffer11 Flexibility Exercises Flexibility is essential to protecting your body from injury, especially if you spend too much time in front of a computer. Poor flexibility is linked to general stiffness in the body and low-back pain. Teach your patients flexibility exercises with an ACA Healthy Living Patient Fact Sheet. Travel to Treat Working as a team chiropractor or treating professional athletes is an exciting job, but there are unexpected obstacles that can impede the care you give your patients. Learn more about travel to treat in the February ACA News cover story. Low-Level Laser Therapy Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the use of red and near-infrared monochromatic light to enhance the body's natural healing processes. This article describes how LLLT is used, and for what purposes. Read on... Welcome Aboard New Corporate Members! Please see our directory for a complete list of affinity, endorsed and corporate members. Forward emailThis email was sent to vsaboe@... by memberinfo@... | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy.The American Chiropractic Association | 1701 Clarendon Blvd. | Arlington | VA | 22209