As we in New York begin to experience the exponential surge of COVID-19, members are questioning how they can care for their patients. Some offices remain open as part of essential services, while others have decided to close because of the risk factors. Geography and patient population seem to be the biggest determinants in this professional choice.

NYSCA members have been asking, "Does the WC amendment allowing temporary performance of telemedicine services during Covid-19 extend to No Fault?"  

The New York State Education Department has developed a webpage containing many frequently asked questions related to the developing COVID-19 situation.  An excerpt from this page as relates to continuing education requirements is included below.

Telemedicine and telehealth services are currently being reviewed and discussed by the state board for chiropractic.  However, you may currently perform telemedicine for injured workers in need of timely help.

Background:

Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have introduced the Immediate Relief for Rural Facilities and Providers Act, new legislation to address the impending crisis facing our healthcare system as the spread of COVID-19 increasingly strains hospitals and providers across the country. Bennet and Barrasso's new legislation would extend a lifeline to rural hospitals, and all providers and the millions of Americans who depend on them for health care.

As CEO of ChiroHealthUSA and the owner of two practices, I myself have been looking for resources to help me make the best decisions I can for the team at ChiroHealthUSA and for our doctors, our staff, and the patients we serve. While there is a lot of information out there from the CDC, WHO, and local governments, I was interested in material specific to not only my practices, but helpful for the entire profession.

NYSCA Members have reported that a few workers compensation carriers have failed to properly update their fee schedules based on the January 1, 2020 update.  As you know, these changes for parity were needed and overdue.  The Workers Compensation Committee continues to act on your behalf to make necessary changes. 

There are daily developments in the Coronavirus situation that is impacting the entire world. The NYSCA will try to keep abreast of all developments and inform the membership the best of our ability.

NCMIC has provided a repository for trusted and up-to-date information on COVID-19 issues, including HIPAA concerns and how to discuss with patients.

As doctors of chiropractic, it is pertinent to stay up-to-date on the latest information surrounding COVID-19, which has now been declared a pandemic.

UnitedHealthcare will require the use of a 'GP' modifier for all billed physical medicine services effective 04/01/2020. 

As a member of the New York State Chiropractic Association, you are granted complimentary membership with the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) through enrollment in F4CP Group Membership. 

As most of you are probably aware, there are concerns with the novel coronavirus potential outbreak in the news. What would I do if a case comes into my office? What precautions should I undertake in my practice as a healthcare practitioner? These questions and many other might come to mind.

On the Agenda is published quarterly by the New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA). It is designed to provide information about the Chiropractic profession and NYSCA activities and initiatives. Download and read the latest edition today!

If you employ individuals in your office such as secretary/receptionist/office manager or assistant that schedules patient appointments, greets patients, retrieves medical records, performs recordkeeping and/or bookkeeping activities or performs any other function in your office; and

The NYSCA, in conjunction with the acupuncturists, massage therapists, physical therapist and occupational therapists, continues to work on legislation that recommends consideration of conservative care treatments, including chiropractic prior to prescribing opioid analgesics for neuromusculoskeletal conditions.  

In order to increase health care provider participation in the workers' compensation system and improve injured workers' access to timely, quality medical care, the Workers' Compensation Board (Board) is supporting electronic submission of CMS-1500 forms, along with a medical narrative. The CMS-1500 streamlines medical billing and may reduce the paperwork requirements currently in the workers' compensation system.

To further assist medical providers in the implementation of the CMS-1500 for workers’ compensation patients, the Board has created a medical narrative report template that can be used to create the medical narrative that must accompany all CMS-1500 submissions.

In response to the CMS call for Feedback on Scope of Practice, the NYSCA has submitted the following: