Update: Highmark Prior Authorization delayed and New webinars added

As noted in our previous communication, Highmark BCBS of Western NY and Northeastern NY is implementing a prior authorization program for certain services rendered by DCs, PTs, OTs and home care providers. Prior authorization is required for applicable Highmark members for services rendered on or after May 1, 2024 (including those patients who were under care prior to that date).

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Update: Highmark BCSB of Western NY and Northeast NY Prior Authorization Program

As noted in our previous communication, Highmark BCBS of Western NY and Northeastern NY is implementing a prior authorization program for certain services rendered by DCs, PTs, OTs and home care providers.

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Update on NYSED Practice Alert re: Utilization of Diagnostic Ultrasound by Chiropractors

The NYSCA would like to flag a recent practice alert that was issued by the New York State Board of Chiropractic that you should have all received in your email. We know that you get a lot of email, but this was an important practice alert, and we wanted to make sure you received it and understand the context for the alert.

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Use of Online Tracking Technologies by HIPAA Covered Entities and Business Associates

On March 18, 2024, the OCR updated this guidance to increase clarity for regulated entities and the public.

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Practice Alert: Use of Diagnostic Ultrasound by a Chiropractor

Pursuant to Education Law §6551(3) and Part 73 of the Commissioner’s Regulations, diagnostic ultrasounds may be used for the detection and diagnosis of conditions that are treatable by a licensed chiropractor. However, a licensed chiropractor must have appropriate training and competency prior to utilization of a diagnostic ultrasound in the course of their practice.

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Assembly and Senate One-House Budget Proposals

This week, the Assembly and Senate released their one-house budget proposals. Today, each house passed resolutions, which memorialized their one-house budget proposals. These proposals were compiled after the Assembly and Senate held weeks of joint budget hearings and scores of meetings with a variety of stakeholders, who weighed in on the proposals contained in the Governor’s proposed budget. Each one-house budget accepts, rejects or modifies the Governor’s budget proposals that were released in January and adds priority issues for each respective house.

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Urgent: WNY and Northeaster NY Highmark Prior Authorization

As previously reported, Highmark is planning to implement a prior authorization program for chiropractic care, physical and occupational therapy, and home health care effective on April May 1, 2024.   Highmark recently updated their provider news to announce "For Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield members in commercial plans, providers will need to request authorization for outpatient physical medicine and home health services, effective April May 1, 2024."

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Medicare Update from ACA

According to the 2024 Medicare Physician Payment Schedule (MPFS), chiropractors are experiencing a 5.37 MPFS percent cut this year.  

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Change Healthcare Outage

Are your payments at risk?  Challenged with Eligibility? 

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Patient Referral Services

Have you ever received a marketing email like the one below in your inbox?

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Healthcare Data Breaches and Your Practice

Cyber-crimes in the healthcare industry are on the rise in the United States.

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On the Agenda | March 2024

On the Agenda, the official publication of the New York State Chiropractic Association (NYSCA), is published quarterly. It is designed to provide information about the Chiropractic profession and NYSCA activities and initiatives. 

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AMA Clinician Practice Information Survey

The American Medical Association (AMA) is leading the Physician Practice Information (PPI) Survey in 2023-2024 with the primary purpose to collect representative data on practice expense and hours spent in direct patient care. This important effort aims to collect accurate data on the costs and challenges of modern physician practices and to share that information with policymakers and payers, so they can in turn make more informed decisions when it comes to policy and reimbursement issues.

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Updated Mandated Reporter Training Requirements

Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2021 amended Social Services Law § 413 to require additional training to include protocols to reduce implicit bias in decision-making processes, strategies for identifying adverse childhood experiences, and guidelines to assist in recognizing signs of abuse or maltreatment while interacting virtually within the New York State Mandated Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect coursework. This law requires that mandated reporters (which includes New York State Chiropractors), including those who have previously undergone the current training, complete the updated training curriculum by April 1, 2025.

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ACA Launches Fellowship to Prepare Future Health Policy Experts

Arlington, Va. – The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has launched a Health Policy Fellowship to educate doctors of chiropractic about health policy, coding and other complex issues and to prepare them to advocate on behalf of the chiropractic profession in the future. 

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Q&A: Recouping Credit Card Processing Fees

In mid-Summer 2021, the NYSCA issued a memorandum in response to a question about whether chiropractors as merchants could levy a surcharge on a patient who used her credit card to pay for her deductible, copayment or visit charge in order to offset the credit card companies processing fees often referred to as “swipe fees.”

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NYSCA 2024 Board of Directors Elections

Governance elections for the NYSCA Officers and Regional Directors are beginning to ramp up.  Members interested in campaigning for a position on the NYSCA Board of Directors should start planning now. 

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Call for Nominations: NYSCA Committee Volunteers

The NYSCA has seven standing committees in place to assist our members and coordinate efforts to protect, promote, and support the profession in the state of New York.  If you have particular skills, experience, or interest in working with one of the NYSCA Committees, we urge you to reach out to express your interest! 

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NYSCA 2024 District Officer Elections

One of the benefits of NYSCA membership is your opportunity to have an active share in shaping the future of your profession by running for leadership positions and casting your ballot in the Annual NYSCA Elections. The NYSCA promotes professional self-governance, which under New York State law requires governance by majority vote. 

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ACA Elects New Leadership

Arlington, Va. – The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) installed new leadership during its annual meeting in January in Washington, D.C. Leo Bronston, DC, MAppSc, of Onalaska, Wis., was elected president of the association, and Marcus Nynas, DC, of Billings, Mont., was re-elected vice president for the 2024-2025 term by members of the ACA Board of Governors (BoG).

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