August 2012 - Arizona Chiropractic Society

Providing leadership, advocacy and resources that promote professional excellence and quality patient care in chiropractic
Arizona
Chiropractic
Society
Statewide Non-Profit
Chiropractic Association
News
August 2012
Important and timely publications such as this are only made possible when concerned chiropractors become
involved with ACS. For more information on joining ACS, please visit: www.AZChiropractors.org.
INSURANCE RESTRICTIONS ON CHIROPRACTIC FUELING EPIDEMIC
OF NARCOTIC OPIATE ADDICTIVE PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLER ABUSE
ENFORCEMENT OF INSURANCE EQUALITY LAW NOW A LIFE OR DEATH MATTER
Strict insurance restrictions on chiropractic
care such as those imposed by American
Specialty Health are causing an increase in use of
narcotic opiate addictive prescription painkillers
and fueling the current deadly epidemic of
addiction, overdose and death. When back and
neck pain patients cannot get the chiropractic
care they need, they go to their medical doctors
and get prescriptions for addictive, narcotic opiate
painkillers to control the pain. Studies show that
3% become seriously addicted, often leading
to overdose and death. The deadly epidemic of
addiction and death now plaguing the country has
dominated the media with recent news stories
revealing the following shocking facts:
•
In 16 states and counting, drugs now kill
more people than auto accidents do.
•
Prescription
painkillers
have
now
surpassed heroin and cocaine as the
leading cause of fatal overdoses.
•
Prescription painkillers now proven to be a
gateway drug leading to heroin addiction.
•
Abuse
of
prescription
painkillers
increased four-fold from 1998 to 2008
according to a government report.
•
The rate of chronic prescription painkiller
abuse increased by 76% from 2002 to
2010
•
The FDA convened an expert panel to
decide if MDs need a few hours of special
training before it is safe for them to
prescribe addictive, long-acting narcotic
painkillers such as Oxycontin that are
fueling a horrendous epidemic of overdose
and death. The panel voted overwhelming
in favor. The FDA overruled the panel and
vetoed the expert recommendation.
•
Some parts of the country have seen
sales of prescription painkillers increase
by as much as sixteen-fold. Increases of
five to ten-fold are not uncommon.
•
Reformulating Oxycontin didn’t solve the
addiction problem, it just caused addicts
to change drugs.
•
Workers treated with high doses of
prescription opioid painkillers stayed
out of work three times longer than with
similar injures treated with lower doses.
These facts are from articles recently
published in USA Today, CNN, CBS News, and the
New York Times which you can link to by clicking
on
http://www.azchiropractors.org/pages/
dangers-of-nsaids-and-opiate-pain-medications.
php or copying and pasting this link into your
browser.
Paradoxically, chiropractic is being restricted
even though it lowers insurance costs when it is
more fully included in plans. A recent study of the
Tennessee Blue Cross Blue Shield plan found that
when chiropractors were first contact providers for
neck and back pain, overall costs of care were
40% lower than when medical doctors were first
contact providers. When adjusted for severity
of condition, the costs were still 20% lower
when patients were first seen by chiropractors.
A previous study from UCLA of a health plan
with hundreds of thousands of members found
the same cost savings with chiropractic versus
medical care of back pain. This study was
published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in
2004. You can link to these studies by clicking on
http://www.azchiropractors.org/pages/dangersof-nsaids-and-opiate-pain-medications.php
or
copying and pasting this link into your browser.
The fact that chiropractic is being restricted even
though it saves money proves the true underlying
agenda is to establish a monopoly for the medical
profession, the very issue fought in Wilk versus
AMA in the 1980s.
ACS is going to bring this message to every
citizen, every household, every voter and every
legislator in Arizona with a major media conference
orchestrated by the Rose+Moser+Allyn Public
Relations Firm that did the press conference
in December, 2011. The message will be that
enforcement of the chiropractic insurance equality
law is now necessary to save lives by sparing
patients exposure to addictive prescription
painkillers. This is no longer just an issue of
patient treatment preference, it is a matter of life
and death.
ACS is very grateful to a gentleman by the
name of Ken Procunier, a patient with multiple
sclerosis insured by BCBSAZ who has agreed to
tell his story to the public. Ken is a retired Phoenix
police officer and his insurance contract states he
gets 30 medically necessary chiropractic visits
per year. With a chronic condition like MS, Ken
always needs at least 30 treatments per year to
control the pain. With ASH in control, he would
never be allowed to receive the full 30. As a
result, he has had no choice but to increase his
intake of Oxycontin, one of the most powerful
prescription painkillers available, almost identical
to pure heroin. Ken is a perfect case of a patient
that BCBSAZ would rather risk developing
addiction to opiates than let receive sufficient
safe and effective chiropractic care to control his
pain. Ken says his MD has told him BCBSAZ only
cares about what costs the least, the pills or the
chiropractic, and couldn’t care less about Ken’s
health and welfare.
There are two conclusive and powerful studies
which prove that chiropractic is equally or more
effective than medications in relieving neck and
back pain. The North American Spine Society, in a
study which reviewed the findings of 699 studies
on low back pain and published its results in the
premier medical journal Spine in 2010, concluded
that “5 to 10 sessions of spinal manipulation
administered over 2 to 4 weeks achieves
equivalent or superior improvement in pain and
function when compared with other commonly
used interventions such as medication.” A
2012 study published in the prestigious Annals
of Internal Medicine concluded that spinal
manipulation was actually more effective in
reducing pain than medication for neck pain
both in the short and long term. Links to these
studies can be found by clicking on http://www.
azchiropractors.org/pages/dangers-of-nsaidsand-opiate-pain-medications.php or copying and
pasting this link into your browser.
This public relations campaign is an essential
part of ACS’ overall effort to restore full insurance
equality. The other prongs of the effort include
litigation and legislation. The PR campaign is
expensive so we are soliciting donations from
each doctor. The suggested amount is $500 but
any amount will be valuable. Mail your donations
or authorize ACS to bill your credit card to 3515
E. Carol Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85028. The program is
being developed and will take place within a few
weeks of your receipt of this newsletter.
ACS
CONTINUES
SMORGASBORD OF
PROJECT
OF
GIVING
LEGISLATORS
A
CHOICES TO RESTORE INSURANCE EQUALITY
ACS lobbyist Tim LaSota is busy at the
Legislature trying to solve the insurance equality
problem. The entire problem with lack of insurance
equality in Arizona is the refusal of the Arizona
Department of Insurance (ADOI) to enforce the
chiropractic insurance equality law. This law is part
of the Unfair Claims Settlement Act which prohibits
private cause of action, i.e., prohibits any citizen
from taking legal action to enforce any part of the
Act.
ADOI has stated in court that it has “no duty”
to enforce the Act even if there are violations.
Considering this fact, ACS intends to suggest
a variety of possible solutions to Legislators to
resolve this problem. One is to ask the Legislature
to permit citizens to take legal action when there are
violations. ACS will ask the Legislature to consider
removing the prohibition against private cause of
action when there is a violation of the Unfair Claims
Practice Act. This means you or your patient could
take legal action and no longer would have to wait
for ADOI to act. This would open up the entire Unfair
Claims Practice Act to private litigation, something
that insurers are strongly against.
A much more narrow approach would be to
add the chiropractic insurance equality law to
the authorizing statutes for each type of insurer
in Arizona so they would have to comply with the
law or anyone could take legal action, but only for
violation of the chiropractic insurance equality law
and not for any violation of the entire Unfair Claims
Practice Act. Insurers may be much less opposed to
this approach because the impact on overall state
insurance law would be considerably more minor.
A third approach is to pass a law ordering
ADOI to enforce the Unfair Claims Practices Act
in its entirety and set up a regulatory structure
within the agency. The problem with this approach
is that the agency is not cooperative. This means
they would resist the process and the development
of a new law throughout the legislative session.
They would also insist on extra staff and funding
for implementation. To get the extra money, the
bills would then get assigned to the Appropriations
Committees in the House and Senate and it is
highly likely the insurance industry would make
sure they never would get funded and so the bills
would die.
ACS lobbyist Tim LaSota is actively involved
in discussions with many legislators about the
problem and all possible solutions and a decision
will be made over the next few months as to the
best course to take. An aggressive legislative attack
is then planned to make sure insurance equality is
restored. ACS will continue to attack this problem
from every conceivable direction until it is solved.
REPORT ON ALL ACS INSURANCE EQUALITY LITIGATION
Arizona
Chiropractic
Society
News
ADOI Insurance Equality Lawsuit
This lawsuit, Blankenbaker v. Urias,
is still awaiting a ruling in the Arizona Cour t of
Appeals. The purpose is to force the Arizona
Depar tment of Insurance (ADOI) to enforce the
insurance equality law. News of the Cour t’s
ruling will be sent out by email as soon as the
ruling is made which could come at any time.
Individual Insurance Bad Faith Lawsuits
With insurance bad faith litigation,
an insurance company is sued for failing to
provide all medically necessar y care. ACS has
consistently alleged that ASH often denies
coverage for needed care. When the policy
is purchased from a governmental employer
such as the City of Phoenix for the firefighters
and police, juries can award damages for
unpaid medical bills and punitive damages in
the tens of thousands of dollars to punish the
insurance company for cheating the patient
out of needed care. These lawsuits are being
developed for probable filing at this time.
Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Right to
Charge Any Copayment for Chiropractic
Litigation is also under development to
challenge the right of any health insurance to
charge any copayment at all for chiropractic
in Arizona, and to demand refunds for all
copayments paid for the past six years with
the dollar amount estimated to total about
$5-10 million. Our insurance equality law
says insurers may charge coinsurance and
deductibles but it is silent on copayments.
We copied the language from the Wisconsin
insurance equality law in 1989 and right
now there is ongoing litigation in Wisconsin
challenging the right of insurers to charge
copayments based on the same legal
language. We intend to work with the same
Wisconsin law firm litigating the Wisconsin
case which has agreed to take our case and
work with a local attorney.
We are still looking for plaintif fs for
this lawsuit. We need policyholders with
Humana, Aetna, UHC and CIGNA who have
paid a copayment and who would be willing
to par ticipate. They will pay no legal fees and
their involvement will be limited to swearing
that they have an insurance policy and that they
paid a copayment. Have qualified individuals
contact Dr. Immerman immediately.
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2 Arizona Chiropractic Society Newsletter • August 2012
C R E D E N T I A L I N G M AT E R I A L S TO B E M A I L E D
FOR
NEW
ACS
I PA
IN
PA R T N E R S H I P
W I T H N E W M E X I C O C H I RO A S S O C I AT I O N
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!
This is the first serious attempt of its kind
to develop a native Arizona network together
with a viable partner who has a long track
record of success. It is another tool being
used by ACS to help solve the insurance
problems facing Arizona chiropractors. Nonmembers interested in participating can do
so by joining ACS, but are advised to do so
as soon as possible to secure a position in
the network. ACS membership is mandatory
to belong to the IPA.
Our sponsors are very special to ACS. They
help make it possible to bring our written
and electronic information to you. They
help pay for the ink and postage! Won’t
you please consider them when you need a
service or product? We obviously wouldn’t
do business with them if we didn’t think they
were good folks. Please be sure to give them
a look. They are supporting your profession
and deserve your gratitude for that.
LaBOMBARD SOLVED: ACS HEALTH CARE ATTORNEY
CREATES FORMAL LaBOMBARD LEGAL OPINION LETTER
ACS INSURANCE GROUP HEALTH
ACS members will soon be receiving in
the mail credentialing materials to complete
to begin the membership process in the new
ACS IPA. Once ACS has enough members
in the IPA, marketing efforts will begin
to secure contracts with employers and
insurers in Arizona. Be sure to complete and
return the materials as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, feel free to
call either Dr. Immerman or the resource
numbers on the credentialing material.
No, You Do Not Have To Pay 1/3rd Of The Attorney’s Legal Fees
ACS health care attorney Jerr y
Gaffaney, par tner at Mariscal Weeks
Friedlander McIntyre, has written a formal
legal opinion for ACS to distribute to
members for their use when they receive
a “LaBombard/Common Fund Doctrine”
letter in a personal injur y case. Such letters
from plaintiff’s attorneys claim that the
LaBombard case requires doctors to pay
one-third of the medical bill to the attorney
to compensate the attorney for legal fees
incurred in collecting the settlement. This
IMAGINE
LIFE
WITHOUT
is a fairly widespread practice and ACS
gets calls from doctors who have received
LaBombard letters ever y week. In a typical
case, the doctor’s bill for ser vices was
$6,000 and the attorney demands a
$2,000 reduction to pay for legal fees,
thereby paying the doctor only $4,000. The
new ACS LaBombard legal opinion letter
should stop these demands immediately.
It is now posted online on the Member
Benefits’ Page under PI Tools, or you can
send an email to ACS and request a copy.
A
STATE
ASSOCIATION
Special for those doctors who do not belong to any state association
Without a state association, one thing
is guaranteed: nothing will change. You will
live under the thumb of ASH for the rest of
your career. $44 visits with $40 copays
and limits of 6.5 visits per patients. Can
you live with that? Is that what you want? If
you don’t pay ACS dues, that means your
answer is yes. If you do pay dues, that
means your answer is no, that you intend
to fight to change the status quo and get
rid of ASH and restore true insurance
equality in this state.
And so we ask: What do you want?
A lifetime of ASH slaver y or a lifetime of
being a real doctor being treated fairly? If
the answer is the latter, go online to www.
AZChiropractors.org to join or contact
ACS immediately to join. Other wise,
we will know where you stand. We truly
hope you make the wise choice for your
career especially considering the ver y
small monthly amount of money under
consideration.
INSURANCE PLAN
AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS,
THEIR FAMILIES AND EMPLOYEES
IS OFFERED BY HIGH QUALITY ARIZONA
INSURER WITH PPO AND HMO OPTIONS
This CIGNA group health plan is by far
the most popular member benefit offered
by ACS since our formation in 1991. We
waited a long time before recommending a
health insurance product to members, 18
years in fact. Finally, after years of studying
the market, ACS found a program well
wor th recommending to members.
The ACS health insurance plan covers all
pre-existing conditions just like when you
go to work for a large company after a
waiting period. In addition to regular ACS
dues and health insurance premiums, the
only additional cost to members is only
$150 per year. Members have complete
information online at the Member Benefits
and Practice Solutions page of the website.
To get this insurance, you must join ACS.
Go to www.AZChiropractors.org to join
online using our secure ser ver.
ADVERTISE WITH ACS
THE ACS NEWSLETTER IS MAILED TO
1,700 ARIZONA DCs MONTHLY -- AAC
NO LONGER MAILS ANY JOURNAL
The ACS Newsletter is sent by
U.S. mail to 1,700 licensed Arizona
chiropractors ever y month. The AAC has
completely stopped mailing any journal
or newsletter at all. Therefore, the choice
for adver tisers is now a no-brainer. To
reach the entire profession with your
products and ser vices, contact ACS
at 602-368-9496 for rate and deadline
information.
Arizona Chiropractic Society Newsletter • August 2012 3
BREAKING NEWS AND UPDATES
Editor’s Note: To save precious space in the printed newsletter, we are not going to reprint all of the Breaking News posted on the
home page of our website. Please go to www.AZChiropractors.org where you will find all Breaking News with frequent updates.
JOIN THE ARIZONA CHIROPRACTIC SOCIETY ON FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE
BREAKING NEWS 07/16/12: ACS to tackle
prescription opiate painkiller epidemic of
addiction and death with massive PR campaign
since chiropractic care can safely manage most
pain without exposure to these potentially deadly
drugs. Read all new, richly referenced ACS page
on the subject by clicking here. It’s time patients
saw chiropractors first, not MDs. Read ACS
Position Paper by clicking here.
BREAKING NEWS 07/05/12: ACS releases July
2012 eNewsletter with lead stor y about Cour t of
Appeals hearing June 6th in the ADOI lawsuit. A
ruling is expected within weeks with insurance
equality to be decided. Also read about two other
types of litigation being pursued by ACS and
consider the question “Where did all the real
chiropractors go?” Click here to read the entire 8
page full color PDF newsletter power packed with
valuable information.
BREAKING NEWS 06/28/12: US Supreme Cour t
upholds national healthcare reform including
powerful clause prohibiting discrimination
against chiropractors. Click here to read full ACS
explanation of chiropractic provisions which will
be a boon to the profession. This law represents
a major leap for ward for chiropractic.
BREAKING NEWS 06/12/12: ADOI Director Urias
announces resignation ef fective 06/30/12.
Read her resignation letter by clicking here.
Nothing known yet about possible replacements
or whether this will result in change in policy.
BREAKING NEWS 06/06/12: Arizona Cour t of
Appeals holds hearing in lawsuit against ADOI
over enforcement of insurance equality law. ACS
has written a repor t describing what occurred
which you may read by clicking here. We will
achieve insurance equality no matter what it
takes.
BREAKING NEWS 06/05/12: ACS releases
all new June 2012 ACS eNewsletter with
repor ts about oral arguments June 6th in
Cour t of Appeals in ADOI insurance equality
lawsuit. Also, Dr. Dianne Haydon resigns from
Chiropractic Board, profession rejoices. ACS to
ask Legislature to allow any citizen to enforce
insurance equality law. Read these repor ts and
much more impor tant information by clicking
here to open the full 8 page color PDF newsletter.
BREAKING NEWS 05/03/12: Oral arguments
set in Court of Appeals in ADOI insurance
equality lawsuit. Date is 06/06/12, 9:30AM,
Arizona Court of Appeals, 1501 W. Washington,
Dept.
D,
Courtroom
1,
Phoenix.
Map
link:http://azcour ts.gov/coa1/ClerkofCour t/
BuildingLocationDirectionsGeneralInformation.
aspx. Each side has 20 minutes. The public may
attend. ACS will be there in force. Click below under
Most Read to review lawsuit filings and documents.
BREAKING NEWS 05/02/12: ACS releases all
new May 2012 8 page eNewsletter with main
story about both litigation efforts to gain insurance
equality, ADOI lawsuit and insurance bad faith
punitive damage lawsuits. Also read about the
ACS IPA in partnership with NM Chiro Association,
key new ACS documents you must have for your
practice, a directory of all ACS PI resources, the
many ways ACS can help you, and much more, all
by clicking here.
YOUR AD HERE
The ACS Newsletter is the only
publication in Arizona sent to every
one of the approximately 1,700
licensed chiropractors practicing
in Arizona every month! Your
notice in color in print and online
at www.AZChiropractors.org will
get the best exposure and results
available. Many different ad sizes
now available. Contact ACS at
602-368-9496 for more information.
BREAKING NEWS 04/28/12: ACS publishes
Complete Directory to ACS Arizona Personal Injury
Resources, superior to and more comprehensive
than many hours of seminars and hundreds of
dollars of expense. Be smart, join and access
these gems based on real Arizona experience: Dr.
Immerman’s 64 trials and 45 depositions in the
past 15 years with overall 500 case reviews. This is
“real world,” not classroom, knowledge and that’s
what makes it special.
BREAKING NEWS 04/04/12: ACS releases
April 2012 monthly eNewsletter with lead story
“Firefighters to Rain Bad Faith Insurance Punitive
Damage Lawsuits Onto BCBSAZ Over ASH.” Read
about the special attorney selected to handle
the lawsuits. Also, ACS to join with New Mexico
Chiropractic Association to create network to
compete with ASH for contracts. Learn about
LaBombard, liens, refund demands and much more
by clicking here to read the full newsletter.
BREAKING NEWS 03/26/12: $70,000 Plaintiff’s
award in classic low speed impact case. Patient
sues State Farm directly which retains Joseph
Peles, PhD, top biomechanical engineer, who
argued that the forces were too minor to cause
anything more than a minor injury. Plaintiff’s
attorney Harold Hyams retained Alan M. Immerman,
D.C. as a rebuttal witness. Jury reported they
did not believe Dr. Peles after hearing from Dr.
Immerman and concluded the plaintiff was injured
and awarded $70,000. Click here to read the entire
Court’s Minute Entry.
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4 Arizona Chiropractic Society Newsletter • August 2012
DON’T MISS
BREAKING NEWS
SIGN UP FOR THE FREE ACS E-NEWSLETTER AT
WWW.AZCHIROPRACTORS.ORG
CHECK THE FREQUENTLY UPDATED WEBSITE REGULARLY
NEW LIEN FORMS TO BE USED IN ALL PI AND
HEALTH INSURANCE CASES, ESPECIALLY UM/UIM
ACS has developed special new lien forms
called “Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
Liens” which provide protections above and
beyond County Health Care Liens and must
be filed in every personal injury case with all
insurance companies and the attorney. They
do not need to be recorded or notarized, just
signed by the patient in your office. Members
have access online to a clear must-read
explanatory article, #39, to understand why
these liens are so powerful and valuable.
Go
to
http://www.azchiropractors.org/
pages/membership-and-member-benefits.
php http://www.azchiropractors.org/pages/
membership-and-member-benefits.php and
click on the following, probably the most
valuable PI resources offered by ACS:
37 -- Assignment of Health Care Insurance
Receivables for Adult Patient: UCC Lien
38 -- Assignment of Health Care Insurance
Receivables for Minor Patient: UCC Lien
39 -- Comprehensive Explanator y Ar ticle:
“Lien Statute Helps Providers to Collect.
This one member benefit is worth
more than the $1,200 in annual ACS
dues. If you implement this document
in your practice, you are guaranteed to
recover more than $1,200 per year that
you otherwise would never have seen.
We will teach you how.
LET YOUR COMMUNITY KNOW ABOUT OUR DRUG FREE OPTION
“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” ~ Yogi Berra
Bill Gallagher, D.C.
As members of the largest drug free
healing profession we have an opportunity
to offer an alternative to the problem
created by the medical establishment and
Big Pharma. Nixon’s War On Drugs set out
to eliminate street drugs and the deaths
and problems they caused. Today we face
a bigger problem with prescription opioids
taking over as the newest addiction problem.
At INSPIREHealth.org we want to get as
many schools as possible to stage a Run
Drugs Out of Town Run during Red Ribbon
Week at the end of October. This is when
schools focus on drug abuse prevention and
the perfect opportunity for DC’s to get our
message out to them.
With The Run & Red Ribbon Week we
want chiropractors who want access to the
families in elementary schools. The cost
of the event is as low at 33¢/student and
with 500-700/school that is affordable for




most offices. We provide the sponsoring
chiropractor with ribbons, literature, posters
and other learning materials so that every
parent teacher and child will go home with
something with the doctor’s contact info
stamped on it.
We also provide Power Points so that
even the most drug illiterate person can
present to a PTO or faculty meeting to help
them keep kids off street drugs and offer
an alternative to addictive prescriptions.
Chiropractors can also give the school a roll
or two of face paper so that kids can draw or
write what they want and then hang it in their
halls for everyone to see.
This is our fork in the road and a
chance to educate everyone about
what drug free is all about. To find out
more contact Dr. Bill Gallagher, DC at
480-664-6644,
rundrugsoutoftownrun@
yahoo.com, or http://inspirehealth.org.
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ACS GOALS 2012
1. COMPLETED:
Lower copayments and
deductibles and combat ASH practices by
filing a lawsuit. The litigation will ask a Superior
Court judge to order the Arizona Department
of Insurance (ADOI) to properly enforce ARS 20461(B). ACS will soon be filing an appeal of the
judge’s decision with the Arizona Court of Appeals.
2. ALWAYS IN PROCESS: Block any legislation
which would weaken or repeal existing state
insurance equality laws.
3. IN PROCESS: Expand insurance equality laws
into all other health care programs including
AHCCCS. With passage of national health care
reform, there will be an expansion of AHCCCS
so full inclusion for chiropractic is now a priority.
4. PARTIALLY COMPLETED:
End Chiropractic
Board fishing expeditions where one complaint
such as a fee complaint results in a subpoena
of the entire patient file which is then screened
for any possible errors, even the most minute,
in daily notes, x-rays, clinical decision-making,
medical necessity of treatment, etc.
5. IN PROCESS: As a basis for discipline, replace
the Board’s insurance-based standard of
“medical necessity” with the public health-based
standard of “clearly excessive treatment.” Also,
reinsert “of ethics” so that the Board can no
longer discipline doctors for practicing contrary
to “recognized standards in chiropractic”
because the Board has never defined what it
considers “recognized standards.”
6. COMPLETED: Have an expert available
to members by phone and email to answer
questions regarding chiropractic, PI, insurance,
liens, regulatory and Board-related issues.
7. COMPLETED: Sue ADOI because ASH on
behalf of BCBS routinely denies care before
patients have received all treatment which is
reasonable and necessary and if BCBS applies
cost containment/pre-authorization measures
only to DCs and not equally to MDs and DOs.
8. IN PROCESS: Investigate filing a Federal Court
ERISA lawsuit against BCBS and other insurers
for ERISA violations. Alternatively, file complaints
with the US Department of Labor over ERISA
violations.
9. IN PROCESS: Develop valuable resources
for doctors to use in their offices to deal with
common problems that arise with health
insurance, personal injury practice and any
other problems that arise.
DOCTOR WHAT TRULY OBJECTIVE
REPRODUCIBLE FINDING DO
YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT YOUR
WHIPLASH DIAGNOSIS.
Digital Motion X-ray is available to your
patient at your office. Traumatic ligament
instability is real, and could be proven. Visit
Teammotionxray.com and call 602-694-5014
for a demonstration. Arizona’s mobile Digital
Motion X-ray Center.
Arizona Chiropractic Society Newsletter • August 2012 5
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AND CORPORATE MEMBERS!
Our
you
sponsors
have a
and Corporate Members are ver y special to ACS.
choice. They are suppor ting your profession and
PINCUS & ASSOCIATES, PC AND PINCUS & LESPRON,
PC – ARE YOU TIRED OF REDUCING YOUR BILL? With
offices in Tempe and Tucson, there is no longer any
reason for you to routinely reduce your bill on accident
cases. Call Richard Cruz, Esq. at 480.777.2599 or
Michelle Lespron, Esq. at 520.888.2599 to learn how
it is to work with attorneys who understand how to
beat the insurance companies at their own game. You
deserve to be paid for all of the work you do!!! Click
here for the firm’s webpage with full information.
X-RAY EQUIPMENT * NEW * REFURBISHED: WE CATER
TO CHIROPRACTORS!! STANDARD X-RAY -- OWNED BY
A DC FAMILY! High Frequency X-ray Systems, Digital
X-ray Systems * Digital Cassettes, 300 MA Systems
* Automatic Processors, Chiropractic Tables * New
* Refurbished, Statewide Sales and Service. Call
Lisa Dionisio at 602-275-3344 or go online to www.
standardxrayaz.com.
YOUR LISTING HERE AND IN THE NEWSLETTER:
Reach our Internet readership and approximately 1,700
licensed chiropractors practicing in Arizona who receive
the ACS newsletter monthly by U.S. mail! Contact ACS at
602-368-9496 or [email protected] for more
information.
DAVID TALLMAN, DC, NMD PRACTICE EXCLUSIVE TO
PROLOTHERAPY for over 10 years. 480-922-1101 or
www.arizonaprolotherapy.com for more info.
CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS OF AMERICA: offers
whole-person, integrated cancer care by combining
state of the art technology and conventional treatment
with nutrition, naturopathic medicine, mind-body
support, massage, acupuncture, spiritual support, pain
management, rehabilitation services and chiropractic
care. For more information, your patients can call
800-234-9113 or go to cancercenter.com.
TEAM MOTION X-RAY: Doctor what truly OBJECTIVE
reproducible finding do you have to support your
WHIPLASH diagnosis. Digital Motion X-ray is available to
your patient at your office. Traumatic ligament instability
is real, and could be proven. Visit Teammotionxray.com
and call 602-694-5014 for a demonstration. Arizona’s
mobile Digital Motion X-ray Center.
CUSTOM X-RAY DIGITAL EQUIPMENT SALES &
SERVICE: Dedicated to the Arizona Chiropractic
Professional. Offering affordable X-Ray and Digital X-ray
solutions since 1968. Affordable leasing programs,
pre-planning services, lead shielding quotations.
Processors, film, headrest paper, chiropractic tables,
service/repairs/annual calibrations/digital service/
support/computer IT support services, affordable
service and support. Call for Shawna @ 602-439-3100
or 800-230-9729 -- www.customxray.com
CHIROFUTURES MALPRACTICE PROGRAM: Securing
the future, managing your risk. Comprehensive coverage
and competitive rates. Best value in the market.
Contact: www.chirofutures.org or 800.219.9090 Key
administrator is Dr. Matt McCoy, a name long associated
in chiropractic with integrity and intelligence.
THE NIELSEN LAW FIRM PLLC -- AGGRESSIVE LEGAL
ADVOCACY: Yuri Nielsen, Esq., 310 S. 4th St., Ste.
1401, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Call (602) 257-7535.
Webpage: www.personal-injury-attorney-arizona.com.
PATIENT BUILDERS, INC. - NEW PATIENT MARKETING
FOR CHIROPRACTORS: The Solution to the New Patient
Dilemma! No more spinal screenings! No more spending
money on marketing with “possible” results! No more
spending maximum dollars with minimal results! We
Do business when them whenever
deser ve your gratitude for that.
deliver new patients to your door when you want them!
Call 480-756-9377 or email [email protected] to
get started.
RICHCOR TABLES, MODALITIES AND SUPPLIES:
Richard Corcilius is tried and proven having served the
profession for over 25 years. Call 480-334-7430 or
[email protected].
CENTRAL PHOENIX PAIN MANAGEMENT: Manipulation
Under Anesthesia, Epidural Injections, Facet Injections,
Trigger Point Injections. Contact Don at 602-279-0044,
[email protected]. www.azsurgicalcenters.
com
GOT DOCUMENTATION? New Patient Forms for ALL
patients plus E/M Exam Form and PI Forms - Great
Documentation in Less Time - $129. Want to know
about computerized SOAP notes? Contact Gregg
Friedman, D.C. at [email protected] or
480-947-8381 for more information.
LOWY’S TAX PLANNING & ACCOUNTING, PLLC:
Accounting can be back-breaking – Let the pros handle
it! We do tax planning for DCs, business and individual
tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting services
and payroll taxes. Call today for a free consultation: 602943-5861. Web: www.LowyYourTaxes.com. Address:
7337 N. 16th St., Ste. 206, Phoenix, AZ 85020.
DIGITAL MOTION X-RAY (DMX) TUCSON/MIKE
WINBERRY, DC: You’ve never seen subluxation like
you can see it with DMX! Now you can accurately
demonstrate lesions in whiplash patients which cannot
be shown with MRI or CT scan. Stop underdiagnosing
your patients! Call Dr. Winberry for a free demonstration
in Tucson at 520-298-5111 or 520-241-1995 (cell).
SPECIAL TREASURES MEMBER BENEFITS
SPECIAL NOTICE TO ARIZONA CHIROPRACTORS: THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE VITAL TO YOUR PRACTICE. TAKE THE TIME TO REVIEW THEM AND
CONSIDER MEMBERSHIP JUST TO ACCESS THESE DOCUMENTS. THEY ARE WELL WORTH THE COST OF MEMBERSHIP ALONE.
GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE, LIFE, DENTAL AND
RECORD
KEEPING
AND
DOCUMENTATION
LIEN FORMS FOR HEALTH INSURERS THAT
COMPLIANCE GUIDANCE
REFUSE TO HONOR ASSIGNMENTS AND FOR AUTO
VISION PROGRAMS FOR MEMBERS
Teaching compliance with record keeping and
INSURERS UM/UIM AND ALL CLAIMS
ACS offers its members a wide range of benefits
documentation in Arizona has always been a
ACS Attorney David Abney has developed new lien
and services including a group medical, life, dental
paramount goal for ACS, and so we have assembled a
forms that will force insurance companies to send
and vision programs. Group health insurance for
packet of information that is the most comprehensive
checks directly to you even when the deny assignments
ACS members with guaranteed issue coverage
available. Read the fruits of ACS’ investigation along
of benefits. BCBS has initially refused to honor these
begins after a one year waiting period with no
with an outline of the course on record keeping given by
new liens and so we expect to have to litigate to force
medical underwriting. PPO and HMO plans are
the lead Board auditor, full course notes of a lecture on
them to do so. We intend to litigate to gain enforcement
available statewide.
the subject by a former Board chair, Medicare Noridian
of our new liens, and will soon file the lawsuit. No other
INSURANCE CLAIMS AND DENIALS SOLUTIONS
requirements, CMS rules for reporting timed codes,
health insurer has yet reacted to the new liens.
The many documents under this heading provide
and eleven key office forms to use to streamline your
you with ammunition to defend your fee structure
operations and documentation.
The liens will also work in PI cases and in fact give the
as usual and customary, how to file medical
provider more rights than County Health Care Liens.
necessity appeals using all Arizona laws, how to
MISCELLANEOUS
We still recommend filing County Health Care Liens,
file complaints with the Arizona Department of
The Chiropractic Board requires you have a Medical
but these liens cannot be filed in UM, UIM or medpay
Insurance, how to file Small Claims Court Lawsuits,
Record Protocol on file and ACS supplies it here. We also
cases and so the new ACS lien is the only lien that can
how to handle post payment audit review and
teach you how to search the National Library of Medicine
be filed in such cases. It is highly recommended that
refund demands, and a great solution for your cash
and retrieve articles from a medical library. In this section
the ACS lien be filed in these cases.
practice called Chiropractic Lifecare of America
is a limited power of attorney form directing payments
(CLA).
to the doctor when insurers other than BCBS deny
These liens are a very special new member benefit for
assignments of benefits. Also, don’t miss reading the
ACS members.
ERISA AND SELF-INSURED HEALTH PLAN TOOLS TO
great article about state boards and disciplinary actions.
GET CLAIMS PAID
HOW TO QUALIFY AS A COURTROOM EXPERT IN
ERISA governs all health insurance plans that
CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS
PERSONAL INJURY TOOLS
your patients get from their employers so it is
ACS has developed a Position Paper documenting
Personal injury tools include the Arizona Bar Ethics
really important that you understand all of your
how your chiropractic education has provided you
Opinion that requires attorneys to pay your bill if they
rights under this law. We have put it all together in
the foundation to be a courtroom expert in clinical
know it exists. We also have a position paper you can
seven key documents including the most important
biomechanics today. It is available to all members.
use to defend yourself when attorneys want you to pay
provisions of the law and sample ERISA appeal
1/3rd of the collection costs, and when they want you to
letters. Everything you need for ERISA is right here.
Join today and get all of these documents emailed to
accept what the health insurance company has paid as
you within 24 hours! Turn your practice around now by
payment in full, i.e., no balance billing. This section also
MD-DC PRACTICE AND REFERRALS
becoming an ACS member. Don’t miss breaking news
includes all forms needed file County Health Care Liens,
A chiropractor who formerly was a drug rep has put
by signing up for the free ACS eNewsletter at www.
a Circular Letter from the Department of Insurance
together a brilliant blueprint for how to meld your
azchiropractors.org.
mandating fair investigations of low speed impact
practice life with MDs. We provide the reference
automobile accidents which can be used to combat
to her webpage and book. This is simply the best
Check the frequently updated website www.
insurance company fraud, and three invaluable forms
material on the subject out there today.
AZChiropractors.org regularly for breaking news.
for your PI practice.
6 Arizona Chiropractic Society Newsletter • August 2012
CLASSIFIED ADS
UPDATED: AUGUST 1, 2012
Click here to join or donate live online using
our secure server
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES
AZ
Board
Approved
Online
Chiropractic
Assistant
Training:
Call
1-888-900-3382,
www.ProfessionalOnlineEducation.com.
Preferred Medical Billing, LLC: Let our professional
and knowledgeable staff handle all your chiropractic
billing needs such as insurance verifications, liens,
electronic claims submission, appeals, and more.
Contact Veronica Alatorre at (480) 699-0413 for more
information.
Patient Builders, Inc. - New Patient Marketing
For Chiropractors: The Solution to the New Patient
Dilemma! No more spending money on marketing
with “possible” results! We deliver new patients to
your door when you want them! Call 480-756-9377
or email [email protected] to get star ted.
ACS Corporate Member!
Health Care Claims Specialists: Arizona’s Chiropractic
Clearinghouse since 1999. 5010 Compliant - no
need to update your software. Claims sent errorfree the first time. Claims follow-up available. Call 602-482-3799. Email - [email protected].
ACS Corporate Member!
ASSOCIATE AND MARKETING
OPPORTUNITIES
PHYSICIAN
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITY:
Valley Wide Health Centers is continually seeking
professional, motivated and ethical Chiropractic
Physicians that are interested in practicing in the
greater Phoenix area. The per fect candidate for our
group is a Doctor that will place the patient’s interest
first. We look for Doctors that want to own their own
practice and are self-motivated and most impor tantly
willing to represent our group in the most professional
and ethical standard. Are you someone that wants to
own his or her practice with no out of pocket costs
to you while you are making a ver y competitive
base salar y with Bonus? Our organization provides
all the training, marketing, billing and collections,
accounting and continued suppor t so that you,
the Doctor can concentrate on the most impor tant
aspect of your professional career…your patients.
Please submit your information so that one of our
representatives can contact you to set up a possible
inter view. Call (480) 459-5601, ext. #2 or email
[email protected].
FAST-PACED CHIROPRACTIC WELLNESS CENTER
seeks motivated chiropractic associate in the
Chandler/Tempe area. We have been established
for 11 years practicing diversified, Thompson and
activator techniques. Please email resume and cover
letter to [email protected]. AK
IN A TIME WHERE CHIROPRACTIC IS STRUGGLING,
WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN ASSOCIATE FOR OUR
DESERT RIDGE CLINIC THAT IS EXPLODING. A
Positive attitude is required and a love for chiropractic
is appreciated. If interested please email at
[email protected] KW
DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Do you care
about the patient’s wellbeing? Are you a firm believer
in Chiropractic and looking for honest and ethical
treatment of you and your patients? We are looking for
an associate to join our company. Increasing pay with
per formance goals hit plus a great bonus structure.
Future to buy in to practice. All systems in place, intense
training, subluxation based with rehab, high volume.
Email resume to [email protected].
BEAUTIFUL NEW INTEGRATIVE OFFICE (67THAVE
AND 101) SEEKS A CHIROPRACTOR willing to learn
new things. We do pain management, prolotherapy,
hormone balancing, functional medicine, chiropractic,
physiotherapy to help patient achieve goals while
correcting the problem. Email resume to Health.Medical@
yahoo.com.
DC/ART PROVIDER WANTED- IMMEDIATE OPENING!!
We are looking for a DC that is an ART certified provider
(preferably full body certified) for coverage in our busy
multidisciplinary practice in Arizona. We have 2 offices,
Phoenix and Gilbert. We have a diverse practice with
an ambulatory surgical suite onsite. You will be treating
alongside our dedicated team of Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Doctors and PAs. Familiarity with Electronic
Medical Records is preferred. Salary will be dependent
on experience. This is an excellent opportunity for a new
doc to experience integration into interventional pain
management. Coverage will be for 3 months. Please
email or fax resume to 602.265.8151, feel free to visit
our website at www.arizonapaintreatmentcenters.com or
www.azptc.com.
Email:
[email protected].
Website: http://www.arizonapaintreatmentcenters.com
or www.azptc.com. Phone: 6022658800.
PRACTICES FOR SALE
PRACTICE FOR SALE MESA: Same great location for
30 years. Diversified practice, 102K collections last year
working 24 hours/week. Priced for quick sale $55,000.
Dr. retiring but will help buyer transition. Text or voice mail
to 480-203-8145.
BUSY WEST-SIDE CLINIC. Extremely low overhead.
High profits. 650 visits/month. Over 1 million in
receivables.
Parking, signage, freeway access.
Doctor motivated to sell.
$395K or $295K
w/o receivables. Call Broker, Christal James at
602-750-3528.
PRACTICE FOR SALE: TUCSON. Superb quality 23 yr.
practice with collections exceeding $640 K/yr. High
Visibility location. Techniques include Pettibon, CRP,
Activator and Brain Based Therapy (Carrick.). Smooth
transition. Contact ChiroEquity at 908-419-7510. GK
PRACTICE FOR SALE IN SIERRA VISTA: 2 Zenith
Hi-Lo, 1 Lloyd flexion distraction w/drop, exam
tables, Collecting 100K per year.
Overhead,
< $2000/month. Doctor retiring, turnkey price 30K. Dr.
McGuire 520-459-1414.
PRACTICE FOR SALE-EAST CENTRAL PHOENIX: 20 year
practice for sale in great location with collections last year
@$150K, Low overhead, Diversified/Gonstead, X-ray,
therapies. Affordable, also with possible financing available.
602-710-6504. MG
OFFICE SPACE RENTAL AND
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
OPPORTUNTIES
CHIRO SPACE AVAILABLE IN BUSY GROCERY
ANCHORED RETAIL CENTERS: Owner will fund relocation
costs. Increased traffic & convenience = Increased sales
& client retention. Experienced retail developer with welllocated, grocery anchored centers in MESA, PEORIA
and GILBERT. Call or email for more information: Bryan
Lamond (480)-235-9999, [email protected]
ASSOCIATE POSITION AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY in
rapidly growing chiro/PT/MD clinic in SW Phoenix.
Looking for energetic DC with strong subluxation
philosophy and current AZ DC/PT license to run office.
Training/support from Palmer grad provided. First year 6
figure income potential through salary/bonus. Call 623776-2225, fax resume to 623-776-2229, or email to
[email protected] for more information.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR TO SHARE OFFICE IN
AHWATUKEE: Established 10 year old practice, great
location off I-10 and Chandler Blvd. Paperless office, X-ray
and full equipment provided. Looking to cut overhead.
Please email [email protected]
OFFICE SHARING OPPORTUNITY to split costs.
Thunderbird at 7th St., fully equipped office. Many options
to choose from. Call 602-298-1600 for more information.
LARGE ROOM IN ESTABLISHED CHANDLER CHIRO
OFFICE FOR RENT. Ideal for independent doctor to have
own practice. Access to rehab area, x-ray, and fax/
copier. Located in large strip mall between 10/101
Freeway. $800/month Chris (480)518-5353. CK
OFFICE
SPACE
AVAILABLE
AT
GLENDALE
CHIROPRACTIC LIFE CENTER located at 5654 W. Bell
Rd. Suite A, Glendale, AZ 85308 on Tuesday, Thursday
and Saturday, call for pricing. Dr. Bruce Homsey
602-908-0982.
CHIRO OFFICE SPACE TO SHARE- flat rent includes use
of all equipment, utilities, phone, and most supplies. Two
beautiful offices to choose from Glendale/Arrowhead and
Surprise/Sun city Grand. Call 602-375-2225. RZ
CHIROPRACTIC OFFICE SPACE TO SHARE IN NW
VALLEY: GRADUATED rent option for the first 3 months
includes use of equipment, digital x-ray, utilities.
Just off the 101 at 75th & Bell Rd. Call Dr. Blair
at 480.383.9307. BC
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
J-TECH for ROM and Muscle Testing for sale. Virtually
brand new. Hardly used. Comes with all software,
manuals, and booklets. $3500.00 please call 480-9987501.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: LEANDER motorized table
$2500 and 2 Leander lite tables $1700 ea, SUMMIT
X-RAY MACHINE $4000, MINI-MED X-ray processor $800,
HILL Anatamotor $1700, Diathermy unit $350, and much
more. 602-577-2576
FOR SALE: BARNES TRACTION/DISTRACTION TABLE.
Excellent condition. Doctor retiring. $1000 obo. Picture
upon request. 623.875.7155 AH
OVER 14 PRE-OWNED SPINAL DECOMPRESSION
TABLES.
We will beat any competitors’ price
and show you special tax sections that will save
you an extra $5,000 off your purchase. Visit us
at
www.doubleyourdecompression.com
or
call
(800) 749-5804. BS
X-RAY MACHINE FOR SALE......$3500: Bennett HFQ
series 100 KHz high frequency model: HFQ -300P, June,
1999. Comes with Tube and collimator D-50M, Tube
stand 2-82RM, Buckey A-172F. All manufactured in
1999. I bought the X-ray in 2004 and it has been lightly
used ever since. Looks like new, runs like new. Call 602375-2225. BZ
HOW TO PLACE AN AD IN THE
PUBLISHED AND eNEWSLETTER
YOUR AD CAN APPEAR HERE! The size is 35 words
maximum; cost is $40 per month for members and
$80 per month for non-members. Deadline is the
28th of the month preceding publication of the next
issue. Classified ads are also posted online on the
ACS Online Classified Ads Page for no additional cost.
This page gets about 150 hits per month. The ACS
monthly newsletter is sent by US mail every month
to an average circulation of 1,700 chiropractors
in Arizona. It is also emailed to about 1200 AZ
chiropractors and posted online permanently. The
newsletter is downloaded about 200 times per
month. Choose the ACS newsletter and webpage for
the best results. Call ACS at 602-368-9496.
Arizona Chiropractic Society Newsletter • August 2012 7
Arizona Chiropractic Society
3515 E. Carol Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85028
www.AZChiropractors.org
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
PAID
PHOENIX AZ
PERMIT #2525
INSIDE your
August 2012 Newsletter...
 Insurance Restrictions on Chiropractic Fueling Epidemic of Prescription Abuse
 Report on all ACS Insurance Equality Litigation
 Imagine Life Without a State Association
Application for Membership • Arizona Chiropractic Society