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!

The NYSCA is excited to invite you join our ranks as we continue to advocate for Doctors of Chiropractic in New York. It is only through participation of DCs like you that we can advance the role of the profession in our state.

At the current time, the NYSCA is active in advocating for DCs to have a greater role in the treatment of New Yorkers throughout the state. In short, we are working to creating an environment where chiropractic can thrive. Among our recent activities, we have

• Met with the Worker’s Compensation Board and the Governor’s office to protect the rights of DCs and their patients in the WC system. DCs will see a significant improvement in the rate of reimbursement in April 2019.
• Met with the Department of Financial Services regarding the changes in the WC fee schedule and the implementation of rules in No-Fault. Additional efforts to protect the rights of injured persons and DCs are ongoing.
• Introduced legislation that would enhance the business environment in NY for practicing DCs.
• Introduced legislation to modernize the scope of practice in NY to allow DCs to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Our current scope was written in 1963 and is need of updating to reflect our training.
• Expanded benefit for members in the NYSCA that allow member doctors to achieve professional and business savings that could offset the cost of membership.

To succeed, Chiropractors in New York need an active organization advocating for patients and doctors. To be a strong organization, the NYSCA needs you. Your membership application is available online here.

As you may be aware, the New York State Workers' Compensation Board recently released an updated fee schedule.  This effective date of the fee schedule is April 1, 2019.

As you know the WCB has updated the fee schedule and the changes will be implemented on April 1st, 2019.  We have been waiting for the release from the Department of Financial Services regarding No-Fault.  It has now arrived, you can view it using the link below:

 JANUARY 2019, SENECA FALLS, NY – New York Chiropractic College (NYCC) and the New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA) announced today the first-ever joint NYCC homecoming and NYSCA Fall Convention to be held September 20-22, 2019 at NYCC’s Seneca Falls campus. The homecoming—known this year as the Centennial Celebration since NYCC is celebrating the 100th year of its founding—and the convention will feature continuing education opportunities for healthcare professionals, guest speakers, networking and social events, exhibitors, and more. Its innovative format will include plenary sessions, panel discussions, and breakout sessions with panelists, promising a rich and varied educational experience for attendees.

Chiropractors licensed in New York State may provide nutritional advice within their chiropractic scope of practice as part of an overall treatment plan for a chiropractic patient. Under Education Law §6551(1), chiropractors licensed in New York State may detect and correct by manual or mechanical means structural imbalance, distortion, or subluxations in the human body for the purpose of removing nerve interference and the effects thereof, where such interference is the result of or related to distortion, misalignment or subluxation of or in the vertebral column.

There are various educational sources, both internet-based and non-internet based, offering continuing education courses in functional medicine for chiropractors. However, although segments of the functional medicine body of knowledge may be consistent with both a chiropractor’s training and portions of the chiropractic scope of practice, its overall patient treatment approach, as well as the term “medicine’ is not within the chiropractic scope of practice. Thus, functional medicine courses are not acceptable for satisfying your triennial registration requirement of 36 hours of continuing education.

 There are various educational sources, both internet-based and non-internet-based, offering certificate and non-certificate programs in functional medicine for chiropractors. However, although segments of the functional medicine body of knowledge may be consistent with both a chiropractor’s training and portions of the chiropractic scope of practice, its overall patient treatment approach, as well as the term “medicine’ is not within the chiropractic scope of practice. Thus, chiropractors should refrain from using the term functional medicine in their advertising.

 Pursuant to the provisions of the State Administrative procedure act, the Workers Compensation Board will be adopting the Proposed Medical Fee Schedule changes effective April 1, 2019. 

The New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA) is very pleased to welcome the OUM Chiropractor Program as a Premier Corporate Sponsor!

The release of four new studies highlighting a more patient-centered, comprehensive and collaborative care model, which includes chiropractic care, proves to be an impressive win-win for you, your practice and your patients.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018 was election day in New York. There were many races to watch during these 2018 elections. All four statewide elected officials, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and Comptroller, were up for election as well as all 213 seats of the New York State Legislature. There were also elections for a U.S. Senate seat as well as all 27 U.S. House of Representative seats in New York.

As a member of the NYSCA, you are eligible for complimentary membership with the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP). F4CP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about chiropractic care via POSITIVE PRESS. 

Following a successful nine-year collaboration between the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a new CPT® code for dry needling will soon be available to providers, paving the way potentially for proper reimbursement, national standards and a greater understanding of how this relatively new modality helps patients in pain.

• In January 2018, President Trump signed into law the ACA-supported "Jobs for Our Heroes Act." The law includes a provision allowing chiropractors working within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to perform physical exams on veterans needing a medical certificate to operate a commercial motor vehicle. 

The NYSCA heard your concerns and has responded to the revised Workers Compensation Fee Schedule. 

The following information has been received from Aetna to assist in your transition to the new program.

Please know NYSCA has heard the profession’s voice. We are as concerned as you are and are actively advocating for necessary changes.  Of particular concern are the chiropractic conversion factor, the 180-day wording, and impact on specialty practices.

National Chiropractic Health Month Kicks Off Oct. 1

For National Chiropractic Health Month 2018 this October, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and its members will encourage the public to move more – to “Move 4 Life” -- to improve and maintain their musculoskeletal and overall health. As part of the campaign, chiropractors will provide information about musculoskeletal health and tips to stay active and prevent injury.

The president is expected to sign the massive legislation.

By John Falardeau

As the second session of the 115th Congress nears the election, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate recently agreed on a comprehensive legislative package to help end the scourge of opioid addiction.  The opioid issue, which federal and local legislatures across the country have been grappling with for several years, will soon see more federal dollars being focused on ways to help alleviate the destructive force associated with the addiction.