Nominations are now open for the 2026 NYSCA Awards, which will be presented during the Spring Convention in April 2026. This is an important opportunity to recognize colleagues who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the chiropractic profession and to the mission of the New York State Chiropractic Association.

Highmark BCBS and Echo Health have been communicating with the provider community regarding changes to the electronic claim submission and payment/remittance processes. The NYSCA Insurance Committee (The NIC) is sending this NIC News to remind you of important deadlines to select your preferred payment method and ensure you are compliant with the revised claim submission process.

The 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule has been posted to the NGS Medicare website.

Today was the first day of the 2026 legislative session. Both the Senate and Assembly convened their opening sessions, and the Capitol was bustling with Legislators and visitors. The first day of session is largely ceremonial, with leaders in both houses laying out their agendas and priorities for the upcoming session.

As discussed during the past year, the NYSCA Insurance Committee (The NIC) anticipated significant changes in insurance offerings and benefits, especially within the 2026 Medicare Advantage market. Some carriers no longer offer a Medicare Advantage benefit, discontinued their programs in numerous counties throughout the country or changed their offerings.

The NYSCA Insurance Committee (The NIC) continues to communicate and work with the NYS Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) to keep our members updated on current and forthcoming changes that may impact your care of New York's injured workers. Since our December 23rd notice on the Third-Party Administrator (TPA) changes, we have received a letter directed to our members from the President of FCS Administrators.

The New York LLC Transparency Act takes effect on January 1, 2026, but recent changes have significantly limited its scope.

The NYSCA Insurance Committee (The NIC) has been communicating with both the Workers' Compensation Board and Third-Party Administrators to define and advise our members on a recent change impacting the Special Fund for Disability Benefits, the Uninsured Employers’ Fund, the Second Injury Fund (also referred to as the Special Disability Fund), and the Fund for Reopened Case.  This change has already been implemented - seemingly without overt provider communication on many of these cases.  

On October 1, 2025, the Workers’ Compensation Board (Board) announced updates to the Notice of Objection to a Payment of a Bill for Treatment Provided (Form C-8.1B) requiring payers to provide a detailed explanation of their objections to bills for medical treatment in boxes 12 and 20 within Section C, Objection Reasons-Legal and Medical Treatment Guidelines.

The NYSCA Legislative Committee is pleased to share an update regarding one of NYSCA’s 2025 legislative priorities - the “virtual credit card bill”.

Arlington, Va. — The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have passed the final version of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Department Authorization Act, which includes a plan to restore chiropractic services at six U.S. military bases where services have been arbitrarily discontinued. The six clinics that will be reopened include those seeing 400 or more patients per month.

New York — The New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA) and the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) are launching a statewide movie theater campaign designed to elevate public understanding of chiropractic care and connect New Yorkers with trusted doctors of chiropractic across the state. The campaign will run from December 15, 2025, through January 25, 2026, and will appear in eleven strategically selected theaters spanning Albany, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Syracuse, Kingston, Oswego, Oneonta, and Farmingdale.

We are pleased to share that the NYSCA 2026 Spring Convention at Mohegan Sun will be held jointly with the Connecticut Chiropractic Physicians Association. This collaboration brings a meaningful opportunity to strengthen relationships across state lines and enhance the educational experience for all attendees.

We are proud to share details for the NYSCA Membership Meeting scheduled in conjunction with our 2026 Spring Convention at Mohegan Sun.

December is an ideal time for chiropractic offices to conduct a year-end review of finances, policies, procedures, and operational practices. This ensures accurate recordkeeping, helps identify areas for improvement, and positions your practice for a strong, compliant start to the new year.

The newest issue of On the Agenda, NYSCA’s official quarterly publication, is now available! This statewide newsletter offers timely updates on NYSCA activities, policy developments, and issues impacting the chiropractic profession in New York. Whether you're looking for clinical insights, association news, or opportunities to engage, we invite you to take a moment and explore what’s inside.

It has come to the attention of the NYSCA that some plan materials for certain 2026 Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans have included language that may appear confusing and contradictory.  We want to assure members that chiropractic spinal manipulation to correct a subluxation (active treatment) remains a covered service under all Medicare Advantage plans, consistent with Medicare Part B coverage.