As of February 16, 2026, new federal enforcement provisions for substance use disorder, or SUD, treatment records are officially in effect. The changes come from the HHS Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and significantly expand oversight of the federal confidentiality rule known as 42 C.F.R. Part 2.
The NYSCA is pleased to share a newly released educational resource from NGS Medicare designed to support providers in navigating Advance Beneficiary Notice requirements with greater clarity and confidence.
The NYSCA Insurance Committee (The NIC) remains in contact with NGS and several clearinghouses relative to the 2026 CMS updates which resulted in claim denials. During our testing we discovered new issues impacting clearinghouses.
NYSCA governance elections are approaching, and now is the time for members across the state to consider stepping into leadership. If you have ever thought, “If only I were in charge,” this is your moment to turn that thought into action and help guide the future of our profession in New York.
Creating a professional and respectful environment is essential for both patient trust and staff well-being. New York State law requires all employers, including chiropractic offices, to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training for every employee, regardless of role or tenure.
The chiropractic profession is strengthened not only by doctors of chiropractic, but also by students, volunteers, partners, advocates, and supporters who contribute in powerful and meaningful ways. Each year, the New York State Chiropractic Association proudly recognizes these individuals and organizations through a special set of statewide awards that celebrate service, leadership, and collaboration.
The NYSCA Insurance Committee (The NIC) has just learned of a claims processing error impacting Traditional Medicare claims. These processing errors have resulted in the denial of claims which appear to have been correctly submitted. Members of The NIC have been in communication with several clearinghouses, EHR companies and NGS Medicare to both report the issue, and discuss the solution. To learn more about these denials, how to prepare, and respond to ensure you claim is processed correctly, please log in to NYSCA.com
Every year, the New York State Chiropractic Association is proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of doctors of chiropractic who are advancing our profession through excellence in care, leadership, advocacy, and service. These statewide awards honor DCs at every stage of their careers, from new practitioners to seasoned leaders shaping our Association and our profession.
Governor Kathy Hochul has delivered her budget address outlining her priorities for her 2026 – 2027 proposed budget. Building on the themes from her State of the State address last week, she continued to focus on making New York a more affordable place to live, despite uncertainty in federal funding.
Each year, the New York State Chiropractic Association proudly recognizes individuals whose careers have shaped the chiropractic profession through extraordinary service, leadership, and dedication. Our Highest Honors represent the most prestigious statewide awards we offer. These honors celebrate lifetime contributions that have strengthened our profession and advanced our mission in meaningful and lasting ways.
Governor Kathy Hochul delivered her fifth State of the State address from the Hart Theater at the Egg in Albany today. The Governor’s State of the State address is where she lays out her priorities and agenda for the upcoming legislative session and what she hopes to accomplish. The speech contained numerous policy proposals, and the Governor also released a briefing book containing over 100 distinct proposals organized in eleven main topics areas, including: making New York more affordable, public safety, protecting consumers and workers, cutting red tape, education, healthcare, housing, and protecting the environment.
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.
Starting the year with a thorough review of your office’s HIPAA compliance helps protect patient information, ensures regulatory adherence, and reduces risk for your practice. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), all covered entities—including chiropractic offices—are required to implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for Protected Health Information (PHI).
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.
