Resulting from efforts to place conservative chiropractic care, at the forefront of solutions to the opioid crisis, the following language was included in the state budget:

Arlington, Va.—Following the resignation of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) today announced it will continue its efforts, without hesitation, to ensure doctors of chiropractic (DCs) and their patients are treated fairly and equitably with regard to the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and other key issues such as fully integrating DCs in new and emerging health care models.

“I applaud Secretary Sebelius for tackling a very difficult task and for the access her office has provided ACA,” said ACA President Anthony Hamm, DC. “We cannot waiver in our work; however, and we look forward to working with the new HHS chief as soon as that person is confirmed.”

President Obama is expected to nominate Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who currently serves as director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), for the top HHS post. While unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the OMB position, Burwell will undoubtedly face a tougher confirmation process on Capitol Hill this time, as political fallout from PPACA implementation continues.

“Making sure the all-important provider non-discrimination provision, Section 2706, of the Affordable Care Act is adhered to by insurers, and that chiropractic physicians are allowed to provide all covered services in Medicare that they are allowed to do under their state scope, are vital to the profession and our patients,” Dr. Hamm continued. “This work will be ongoing with current HHS staff and we expect no let-up during the change of leadership.”

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, VA, is the largest professional association in the United States advocating for more than 130,000 doctors of chiropractic (DCs), chiropractic assistants (CAs) and chiropractic students. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit us at www.acatoday.org.

Abstract

Objective To model the effect on UK vascular mortality of all adults over 50 years old being prescribed either a statin or an apple a day.

Design Comparative proverb assessment modelling study.

Setting United Kingdom.

Population Adults aged over 50 years.

Intervention Either a statin a day for people not already taking a statin or an apple a day for everyone, assuming 70% compliance and no change in calorie consumption. The modelling used routinely available UK population datasets; parameters describing the relations between statins, apples, and health were derived from meta-analyses.

Main outcome measure Mortality due to vascular disease.

Results The estimated annual reduction in deaths from vascular disease of a statin a day, assuming 70% compliance and a reduction in vascular mortality of 12% (95% confidence interval 9% to 16%) per 1.0 mmol/L reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol, is 9400 (7000 to 12 500). The equivalent reduction from an apple a day, modelled using the PRIME model (assuming an apple weighs 100 g and that overall calorie consumption remains constant) is 8500 (95% credible interval 6200 to 10 800).

Conclusions Both nutritional and pharmaceutical approaches to the prevention of vascular disease may have the potential to reduce UK mortality significantly. With similar reductions in mortality, a 150 year old health promotion message is able to match modern medicine and is likely to have fewer side effects.

I.C. System, a family-owned accounts receivable management firm, recently launched a new chiropractor debt collection website highlighting the company’s 40+ years of chiropractic collection experience and industry expertise.

With the onset of increased premiums and decreased coverage for beneficiaries along with diminishing reimbursements for health care providers, many financial experts are speculating that America is currently formulating a health care bubble. Having the potential to burst, similar to the housing bubble that caused the 2008 recession, it is imperative to have processes in place so that you and your practice will be sheltered. In essence, that is exactly what a chiropractic debt service agency does for you. It shelters you in the storm and helps ensure that your bottom line is not affected, regardless of the economy.

State of the Union
According to ACA International, The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, “An estimated 48 million people were paying off medical debt in 2012, up from 44 million in 2010 and 37 million in 2005.” In addition, 75 million Americans reported that they experienced difficulties paying off healthcare-related expenses in 2012. Currently, 50 million Americans don’t have health insurance and, according to Ernest & Young, “Healthcare-related debt is the leading category of debt collection among survey respondents, accounting for more than half of all debt collected in the industry.”

Role of ObamaCare
The Affordable Care Act (popularly referred to as “ObamaCare”) only mentions “chiropractic” three times in the entire 2,407-page text. This can be interpreted in two different ways: With prevention being one of the underlying focuses of the entire document, some experts understand this to mean that chiropractic services – specifically asymptomatic, “wellness care” – will be covered to a greater degree than most insurance companies do now because it epitomizes preventative medicine. Other experts, however, fear that the language is too scant to properly define how chiropractic services will be covered.

In essence, the verbiage is such that the government can change their perspective on chiropractic care and services as ObamaCare progresses, thereby providing chiropractors little security in the future health care model. Consequently, the role of fee-for-service and chiropractic debt collections will greatly determine your financial bottom line as you manage co-pays and deductibles or conform to a non-insurance dependent cash model.

Helping stabilize the economy
The data presented by Ernest & Young depicts the vital role chiropractic debt collection agencies and others play in curbing the ubiquitous debt load that is affecting unsheltered healthcare professionals nationwide:

• Total debt collected in 2010: $54.9 billion.
• Total debts that were returned to creditors and health care professionals: $44.6 billion.
• “Early out debt” collected (receivables aged 90 days or less): 30 percent.
• “Bad debt” collected (receivables aged 90 days or more): 70 percent.

As consumers continue to struggle paying their bills, chiropractic debt collection agencies and others like them are becoming the backbone of our economy. This is particularly true as out-of-pocket health care expenses skyrocket and government-funded insurance companies continue to cut coverage.

Securing your future
Whether your chiro practice has suffered the fi nancial consequences of delinquent debts or not, take time today and secure your future by working with an agency that specializes in chiropractic debt collections.

Some tips to consider:

1. Be proactive. No one knows which patient will fall behind on their fi nancial responsibilities and when. By establishing a relationship with a chiropractic debt collection agency today, you won’t be scrambling for help when you need it most.
2. Be encouraged. The fate of your offi ce’s balance sheet is not sealed because you serve in an area that has been hit hard economically. Time-tested, proven collection processes and approaches ensure that your fi nancial needs can be met by the right chiropractic debt collection agency.
3. Saving face. Make sure you choose a collection agency that will not only recover your lost funds, but will also make sure your professional and personal reputation remains positive.
4. It’s never too late. Don’t give up! The data from Ernest & Young’s report is quite telling and encouraging for any chiropractor who is struggling with long-term past due accounts. Relinquish the burden and watch your P & L soar!
5. Find someone who understands. We can’t emphasize this enough: Make sure you partner with a collection agency that understands your business model, your patient base and your profession!

As you work toward stabilizing your practice in a troubled economy, it’s important to understand that chiropractic debt collection agencies can help mitigate the fi nancial risks associated with providing healthcare. In an effort to maintain your energy on what you do best, leave the stress of collecting your debts to devoted professionals! Once the burden is lifted off of your shoulders, you and your staff will be free to focus on what will bring you future success without having to worry about past due accounts!

---

IC System Quick Facts

• For more than 40 years, Chiro Collect, Powered by I.C. System, has worked with hundreds of Chiropractic Practices nationwide, collecting millions of dollars on their behalf. I.C. System is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ Rating.
• We are among just a few dozen agencies worldwide to be ”certified” for Best Practices through ACA International, The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, Professional Practices Management System (PPMS) program.
• We leverage comprehensive skip-tracing efforts to find “missing” patients.
• We offer Chiropractor Clients Online Tools to easily submit debts, view our work effort (number of letters mailed, number of calls made, etc.) on debts, report payments, and generate reports.

See more at: http://chirocollect.com/