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Here’s proof that our work for chiropractors and patients is more important than ever

Posted

December 12, 2019

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters

The Washington State Chiropractic Trust is on a mission: To promote and protect patient access to chiropractic care. And our work is more important than ever, as the chiropractic profession has been under attack lately on multiple fronts.

We have compiled the detailed information below because we believe that knowledge is power.  You need to know what the challenges are, and you need to see how we – in conjunction with the Washington State Chiropractic Association – are responding.

Here is a list of the issues we are focused on, with accompany documentation enclosed.  It’s important for every member of our Washington state profession to read these documents, and then act accordingly. (Specific steps on how you individually can make a true difference in protecting our profession and our patients are included at the end of this message.)

  • We responded to the Washington Medical Commission’s attempted “grab” at spinal manipulation in MD Scope of Practice. The WSCT and the WSCA learned Nov. 12 that the Washington Medical Commission introduced an Interpretive Statement to ignore the two statutory prohibitions on a medical doctor’s ability to perform spinal manipulation. These prohibitions are found in both the Chiropractic and Medical Practice Acts within the Revised Code of Washington. After hearing protests from both the Washington State Chiropractic Association and the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission, the medical commission backed down and withdrew — for now. But they made it clear that they would work with their staff and have a new draft for their January meeting. (Details of our efforts to fight this “grab” are here.)
  • We provided public comment on needed changes to Washington Health Benefit Exchange Draft Standard Plans for Cascade Care. Our comment outlines recommended changes to coverage in Cascade Care, the so-called “public option” approved by the state Legislature. In our comments, we stress the importance of ensuring chiropractic access and benefit limits are at least equal to those provided for PT/OT, and that appropriate constraints are provided for insurance pre-authorizations. We also point out how chiropractic care addresses the Legislature’s stated concern about providing nonpharmacological pain management alternatives in light of the opioid crisis. (Read more in the Cascade Care public comment here.)
  • We provided public comment on the Apple Health Nonpharmacologic Pain Treatment Coverage Draft Report to the Legislature. Our comment points out key areas for reconsideration, improvement and clarification in the report regarding chiropractic care, including system-wide fiscal savings offered by chiropractic care, the role of chiropractic as an integrated health care profession, and the benefit structure included in the Apple Health coverage.  (Read more in the Apple Health public comment here.)
  • We have been working since November 2018 with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to address the unfair practice of Kaiser Permanente and their refusal to pay chiropractors for Evaluation and Management (E&M) Services. In July 2019, we learned that Aetna was acting in the same manner. We are continuing to advocate for the chiropractic profession and our patients as the OIC works through the legal documents related to this issue. (Read more in the OIC and Kaiser/Aetna Nonpayment of E&M Services summary here.)
  • We have researched and are seeking clarification with the Veterans Administration — on behalf of state chiropractors – that doctors can still contract directly with TriWest to treat military veterans rather than going through EmpowerChiro. (Read more in the EmpowerChiro Contracting for Veteran Services letter here.)
  • Here’s a link to our 2020 Legislative Agenda, which includes issues of critical importance to our profession – some of which are mentioned above. They include:
    • Regulating Benefit Managers
    • Correcting Prior Authorization bill regarding “Episode of Care”
    • Making DC education loan repayment program permanent
    • Creating chiropractic access for Adult Medicaid recipients
    • Blocking the MD request to remove prohibition on spinal manipulation
    • Blocking PT from modifying spinal manipulation endorsement agreement

It’s time to become engaged in protecting your profession and your patients.  Resolve after the holidays to engage with members of your state legislative delegation, as they will be considering many of these issues during the upcoming session, which starts Jan. 13, 2020. All chiropractors should plan to attend our annual state Legislative Day, this year on Thursday, Jan. 30. We’ll meet at 8 a.m. in the Capitol Building Rotunda. It’s key that you schedule appointments to meet with your legislators after our 8 a.m. meeting. You can find a list of your legislators at https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/.

Contact the WSCA office at 206-878-6055 to RSVP for Legislative Day and for assistance in making your appointments. A large turnout of doctors in Olympia Jan. 30 is key to showing our strength to legislators who will be deciding these issues on our behalf!

We also need your financial support! If you have contributed recently and/or are a regular contributor to the WSCT, it is appreciated, and it makes a difference. Click here to make either a one-time or recurring donation. Or you can mail your donation to the WSCT, PO Box 2163, Seattle, WA 98111

Make a one-time contribution of $1000, $500, $250, $100. Or sign up for monthly credit card withdrawals of $100, $50 or $25 monthly.

P.S. It’s critically important that every member of our profession join the WSCA, they work tirelessly and jointly with the WSCT to advocate for Doctors of Chiropractic in Washington State and to move all of our issues forward. You can join online at www.chirohealth.org/page/join_wsca.

— By Dr. Dave Butters

President, Washington State Chiropractic Trust
Legislative Director, Washington State Chirorpactic Assocation

Time is running out: Help us protect the chiropractic profession

Posted

October 3, 2019

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters

The 2020 session of the Washington State Legislature is fast approaching, and it’s critical that you learn more about the issues impacting your practice – and how you can support the Washington State Chiropractic Trust’s efforts to protect chiropractic and our patients.

We have scheduled several two-hour legislative and policy update seminars for chiropractors in specific legislative districts (see information below). These seminars are free, and you can receive 2 CE credits attending. WSCA lobbyist Lori Grassi will discuss a range of important issues, including which Washington State laws protect your patients’ access to chiropractic care, an update on bills that passed and failed during the 2019 legislative session, and chiropractic legislative priorities for 2020.  You will also receive current details on our challenges to the Kaiser E&M payment and other insurance-related issues.

Here’s a recap of our 2020 legislative agenda, as approved by the Washington State Chiropractic Association Board of Directors:

Legislation:

1) Regulating Benefit Managers (ASHN, Tivity, eviCore, Optum)

2) Prior authorization (clarifying “episode of care”)

3) Medicaid inclusion of chiropractors

Policy:

1) Monitoring the implementation of SB 5380, passed during the 2019 session, which addresses prescription opioid misuse via prevention, education and treatment.

2) Tracking the details and service area requirements for a program in underserved communities that would make chiropractors eligible for student loan repayment.

3) Monitoring the progress of Cascade Care, the state’s new public option health plan and the state’s new Universal Health Plan Work Group. Making every effort to maintain access to chiropractic services consistent with statutory protections, such as Every Category of Provider.

Insurance:

Continue to challenge unfair practices regarding chiropractic coverage and push for fair laws.

It is important that all chiropractors connect now with their state senators and representatives. Those relationships will be important as we begin meeting with lawmakers to get support for our issues in 2020. Invite your legislators to coffee or lunch or take them on a tour of your office. It’s all about educating them about what you do to provide health and wellness care in your community.

You can find the names and contact information of your legislators here.

We have numerous requests from legislators for campaign contributions, and we need to make those contributions soon to meet the campaign contribution cutoff date. Our strong financial participation in key campaigns is critical to successfully moving our agenda. We need donations now!

Click DONATE to make a one-time contribution of $1,000, $500, $250, $100 or sign up for monthly credit card withdrawals. If you prefer, you can do the same by filling out and returning the enclosed contribution envelope.

Here’s a list of the legislative information sessions scheduled so far. Please note that while they are scheduled by district, chiropractors from any area are welcome to attend. You can register online by date at www.chirohealth.org/events/event_list.asp or you can call the WSCA office at (206) 878-6055. Meals are available for purchase at each venue.

Legislative District 1 – Bothell
Monday, Oct. 14, 2019

Revolve Restaurant
10024 Main St.
Bothell, WA 98011
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Legislative District 34 – Burien
Monday, Oct. 21, 2019

Angelo’s of Burien
601 S.W. 153rd St.
Burien
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Legislative District 12 – East Wenatchee
Friday, Oct. 25, 2019

Shari’s
501 Valley Mall Parkway
East Wenatchee, WA 98802
509-886-9502
Noon-2 p.m.

Our 2020 legislative agenda — and how you can help!

Posted

August 19, 2019

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters

Fall is right around the corner, then the holidays, then the New Year and then the 2020 legislative session.  This means that we are working hard to lay the groundwork to move our legislative agenda in the 2020 session of the Washington State Legislature.

Our 2020 agenda as approved by the Washington State Chiropractic Association Board of Directors includes:

Legislation:

  • Regulating Benefit Managers (ASHA, Tivity, eviCore, Optum)
  • Prior authorization (clarifying “episode of care”)
  • Medicaid inclusion of chiropractors

Policy:

  • Monitoring the implementation of SB 5380, passed during the 2019 session, which addresses prescription opioid misuse via prevention, education and treatment. There is huge opportunity here as its clear legislative intent is that patients be directed toward trials of non-drug treatment prior to opioid prescriptions being administered.
  • Tracking the details and service area requirements for a program in underserved communities that would make chiropractors eligible for student loan repayment.
  • Monitoring the progress of Cascade Care, the state’s new public option health plan and the state’s new Universal Health Plan Work Group. Making every effort to maintain access to chiropractic services consistent with statutory protections, such as Every Category of Provider.  So much to keep track of!

Insurance:

  • Continue to challenge unfair practices regarding chiropractic coverage and push for fair laws.

While many of us are still enjoying summer activities, the January 2020 legislative session will be here before we know it! I encourage all chiropractors to connect now with their state senators and representatives.  Those relationships will be important as we begin meeting with lawmakers to get support for our issues in 2020. Invite your legislators to coffee or lunch or take them on a tour of your office.  It’s all about educating them about what you do to provide health and wellness care in your community.

You can find the names and contact information of your legislators here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/.

We have numerous requests from legislators for campaign contributions.  To move our agenda successfully we must participate financially and at a grass roots level.  We can’t be successful without your contributions!

If you are a regular WSCT contributor, it is appreciated. If you haven’t donated, please do so now!  Click here to make either a one-time or recurring donation.  Or, if you prefer, fill out and return the enclosed contribution envelope. You can make a one-time contribution of $1,000, $500, $250, $100 or you can sign up for monthly credit card withdrawals.

Finally, here’s a reminder to place the WSCA’s Annual Fall Conference on your calendar.  It will be October 4-5 at Bellevue Marriott, and you can earn up to 25 CEs. Continuing education topics include:

  • Today’s Chiropractor on the Witness Stand: Presenting and Defending Treatment of Acute and Chronic Injuries, with featured speakers Richard Adler, JD and Dan Murphy, DC, DABCO
  • Current Evidence-Based Approach to Diagnosis, Triage, and Clinical Chiropractic Management of Common Lumbar Spine Conditions, with Anthony Lisi, DC
  • Establishing Trust with Patients through Professional Marketingby Siouxsie Jennett

Learn more and register at www.chirohealth.org/wsca19. Hope to see you there!

— Dr. Dave Butters, President
Washington State Chiropractic Trust

 

2019 Chiropractic Legislative Day

Posted

January 31, 2019

Written By

Administrator

All Washington State Chiropractors are invited to attend Legislative Day Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 in Olympia. It’s your opportunity to meet with the legislators who represent you, and to advocate for your profession and your patients.

So we know how many are coming to Olympia Jan. 31, please register in advance at http://bit.ly/2019chiroday.

Also, call or email your legislators as soon as possibleand make your appointments to meet with them on Thursday Jan. 31.  You can find your state legislator at this link: http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder.  If you would like help setting up meetings with your legislators, contact Shaka Forest at sforest@chirohealth.org or 206-878-6055 and he will help you.

If you cannot attend the Legislative Day on Jan. 31, you can still come any day during the session. Just schedule your time in advance with lobbyist Lori Grassi at LGrassi@chirohealth.org.

Time to take action: Attend 2019 Chiropractic Legislative Day

Posted

January 7, 2019

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters
Dr. Dave Butters

The 2019 Washington State Legislative session begins Jan. 14, and we again have our work cut out for us.

Last year we celebrated what we thought were two major legislative wins for Chiropractic: the passage of both Fair Pay (ESB 5518) and Prior Authorization (ESSB 6157) bills. I am sure you are aware by now that some of the insurers have demonstrated a lack of good faith in implementing both the Fair Pay and Prior Authorization legislation.

Over the past couple months, we have been working with our chiropractic friends in the state Legislature to propose new bills to demand the insurers implement the 2018 laws as directed, and as always, we will need your help this session.

Based on Premera’s 2019 fee schedules, we filed complaints with the State Office of the Insurance Commissioner – and every Washington state chiropractor should do the same. You should also be submitting complaints to your state representatives and senators. Find your legislators and their contact information at http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder

Fair Pay: Tell them it is unacceptable that insurers have modified the Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) methodology by reducing the conversion factor for spinal manipulation. The conversion factor is the dollar amount assigned to a geographic location multiplied by the relative value unit (RVU) of the specific service (CPT) to determine fair reimbursement for that service. This violates the Legislative intent and a new bill to demand the appropriate methodology will need to be introduced.

Prior Authorization: Tell them that some benefits managers like ASHN and OPTUM have chosen to manipulate the terminology in the Prior Authorization law to get around a patient’s access to the initial 6 visits of their benefits in a new episode of care. Their stories: ASHN isn’t requiring prior authorization, they’re just requiring prior proof of medical necessity if the provider wants to get paid and OPTUM uses a “concurrent process” to determine medical necessity — so it is a game of semantics.

Yes, I’m very frustrated and disappointed too! But It’s not the first time I’ve felt this way.  It reminds me of a quote often used by my good friend, the late Dr. Frances “Butch” Corbin: “Life is just one damn thing after another. The only glory is in going on.” Be assured that we are committed to seeing this issue through on behalf of our profession and our patients.

It’s critical that you attend Legislative Day, set this year for Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019 in Olympia. We will meet in the Capitol Rotunda at 8 a.m. It’s your opportunity to meet with the legislators who represent you, and to advocate for your profession and your patients. We are counting on a large chiropractic turnout to ensure that legislators are focused on our issues.

1) So we know how many are coming to Olympia Jan. 31, please register in advance at http://bit.ly/2019chiroday

2) Also, call or email your legislators as soon as possible and make your appointments to meet with them on Thursday Jan. 31. You can find your state legislator at this link: http://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder.  If you would like help setting up meetings with your legislators, contact Shaka Forest at sforest@chirohealth.org or 206-878-6055 and he will help you.

3) If you cannot attend the Legislative Day on Jan. 31, you can still come any day during the session. Just schedule your time in advance with our lobbyist Lori Grassi at LGrassi@chirohealth.org.

Finally, if you are a regular WSCT contributor, it is appreciated.  If you haven’t donated, please click to make either a one-time or recurring donation. You can make a one-time contribution of $1,000, $500, $250, $100 or you can sign up for monthly credit card withdrawals. Or you can mail your donation to WSCT, PO Box 2163, Seattle, WA 98111.

Wishing all the best in 2019!

Dr. Dave Butters, President
Washington State Chiropractic Trust

 

Urgent, unfinished business for Washington state chiropractors

Posted

September 4, 2018

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters

We have urgent, unfinished business.

That’s my simple message as we prepare to advocate once again for chiropractic during the 2019 Washington State Legislature.

Yes, we achieved tremendous gains during the 2018 session, including fair pay regarding spinal manipulation (which becomes effective Jan. 1, 2019) and six visits without prior authorization for each new episode of care, new episode = 90 days with no treatment for same condition (in effect since June 6, 2018).

Now, in this critical mid-term election year we must support those state legislators who supported us. To complete our contribution objectives we need to raise an additional $30,000 between now and the general election. Our legislative strength and effectiveness depends on this!

You can learn more about the legislators we are supporting in this online WSCA Election Guide.

Our main priority for the 2019 legislative session, as outlined by the WSCA Board of Directors, is to emphasize drugless services to combat the opioid crisis: This proposed legislation is modeled after legislation that passed in West Virginia this year. This bill is intended to do three things:

1) Require health plans to increase their visit limits to 20 for drugless services such as chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy and occupational therapy.

2) Require the copay for these drugless services to be the same as Primary Care services.

3) Require patients who seek opioid services/prescriptions to first visit for a trial of care at least one of the named drugless providers prior to receiving an opioid prescription.

We have expended enormous political capital to achieve our latest legislative wins, and much will be expected of us. I can’t stress enough how important it is to donate to the Trust, to help elect those who support chiropractic. Your donations ensure that we have access to legislators who are in a position to help our profession and our patients.

If you have contributed recently and/or are a regular contributor to the WSCT, it is appreciated and makes a difference.  If you haven’t contributed, I urge you to do so today. Just click on the DONATE button.

Make a one-time contribution of $1,000, $500, $250, or $100, or sign up for monthly credit card withdrawals: $100, $50 or $25.

— By Dr. Dave Butters, President
Washington State Chiropractic Trust

Our 2019 chiropractic legislative agenda; plus attend Leg District meeting and earn 2 free CE hours

Posted

July 6, 2018

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters

In my last letter, I shared information about the historic legislative achievements in 2018 for the Washington State Chiropractic Association, the Washington State Chiropractic Trust and chiropractic as a whole, including passage of chiropractic Fair Pay and Prior Authorization bills.

Now, we must work to support those state legislators who supported us. This is a critical mid-term election year and all of us must work together to re-elect our supporters – those willing to fight for our issues.

You have probably received communications from the WSCA regarding hosted meetings in various legislative districts around the state explaining the passage and implementation of the Fair Pay and Prior Authorization bills for which 2 hours of CE is offered at no cost. There is a component of the meetings where legislators from the district are invited to attend. Maybe you have already attended one of these meetings. We still need chiropractors to host more of these meetings inviting the chiropractors and the legislators from your area to attend. Our lobbyist, Lori Grassi, speaks at the meeting and will help you to set it up, and to invite the chiropractors and the legislators. Contact Lori at 206-878-6055 or by email lgrassi@chirohealth.org.

While we did accomplish amazing legislative gains this year, there’s always more work to do. Here are the priorities for the 2019 legislative session, as outlined by the WSCA Board of Directors:

Emphasizing drugless services to combat the opioid crisis: This proposed legislation is modeled after legislation that passed in West Virginia this year. This bill is intended to do three things:
1) Require health plans to increase their visit limits to 20 for drugless services such as chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy and occupational therapy.
2) Require the copay for these drugless services to be the same as Primary Care services.
3) Require patients who seek opioid services/prescriptions to first visit for a trial of care at least one of the named drugless providers prior to receiving an opioid prescription.

Regulating benefits managers: Benefits managers like ASH, eviCore and others are hired by insurers to implement some, or all, of the following services; prior authorization, clinical review, billing, network creation and management. We are working to introduce legislation that would require them to be licensed by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. This legislation would also include provisions that would require disclosure of the agreements between the benefits managing company and the insurer, exposing financial incentives to blocking access to care.

Ensuring chiropractors receive Primary Care Status: Chiropractors are the only physician-level
providers who are not statutorily defined as primary care. Our message to legislators is that a primary
care provider’s job is to triage, treat and/or make appropriate referrals, working within their scope of
practice. Legislators are not knowledgeable about and do not understand the chiropractic education,
we need doctors to help educate them about our training which includes differential diagnose and our
practice of triaging our patients and referring to other providers for conditions outside of the
chiropractic scope. The most common presenting complaints to a primary care provider’s office are
musculoskeletal in nature and physicians routinely prescribe a muscle relaxer and/or an opioid
We are always monitoring other legislation and opportunities for new ideas to present themselves
We may not achieve legislative wins every year but it is important to remember that over the past
many decades the chiropractic profession in Washington State has not endured losses of previous
accomplishments. Year after year we have defended and protected against legislative attempts to
undermine patient access to our services, especially yearly attempts to erode or eliminate the Every
Category of Provider law, which requires that all plans sold in Washington State provide chiropractic
benefits.

We have expended enormous political capital to achieve our latest legislative wins, and much will be
expected of us. I can’t stress enough how important it is to donate to the Trust, to help elect
those who support chiropractic.

If you have contributed recently and/or are a regular contributor to the WSCT, it is appreciated and
makes a difference. If you haven’t contributed, I urge you to do so today. Just click here
to make either a one-time or recurring donation.

W3Schools

Make a one-time contribution: $1000, $500, $250, $100

Sign up for monthly credit card withdrawals: $100, $50, $25 Monthly

P.S. Regarding the new Prior Authorization Bill, we have heard that some
doctors are having trouble with coverage under specific health plans. To help
the WSCA track this issue, ask your patient to request from their employer or
their insurance company the “Summary Plan Description.” Then scan and email
the following information to us: The name of the employer purchasing the plan,
the plan name (or number) and the group name (or number). Email
to wsca@chirohealth.org — put “Summary Plan Description” in the subject line

— Dr. David Butters, President
Washington State Chiropractic Trust

Learn how to implement new state chiropractic laws into your practice at these meetings

Posted

April 18, 2018

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters

With the passage of three bills during the last legislative session that will affect Washington state chiropractors, our lobbyist Lori Grassi is hosting a series of meetings statewide in upcoming weeks to answer questions about effective dates and implementation. In addition, you will have an opportunity to share issues and concerns that you may have about practice in Washington State. Legislators will be invited to attend a portion of the meeting so that you can also meet them and ask questions of them.

Note that there is no fee for the meetings but there are capacity limits for the locations. Please register at this link so that we know when the meeting is full and if we need to schedule an additional meeting at a future date. Continuing education certificates will be offered for up to 2 hours.

The scheduled meeting dates and times are as follows. More meetings are in the planning stages, so visit www.chirohealth.org/events/event_list.asp to check for updates.

Thursday, April 26, 2018
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Meridian Valley Country Club
24830 136th Ave. S.E.
Kent, WA 98042
Meal available for purchase

Tuesday, May 1, 2018
1-3 p.m.
Stemp Clinic
7247 S Pine St, Ste. A
Tacoma, WA 98409-5900

No meal provided. Bring a snack if you’d like

Thursday, May 17, 2018
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Mercato Ristorante
111 Market St. N.E
Olympia, WA 98501
Lunch is available to purchase at restaurant

Wednesday, May 30, 2018
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Bridge Chiropractic – Salmon Creek
13800 N.E. 20th Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98686
No meal provided. Bring a snack if you’d like

Thursday, May 31
8:30-10:30 a.m.
Bridge Chiropractic – Salmon Creek
13800 N.E. 20th Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98686
No meal provided. Bring a snack if you’d like

This is a great opportunity to learn more about our legislative victories and also to meet your local legislators. Remember that the midterm elections are this November, and it’s critical that we support those lawmakers who supported us. The goal is to re-elect our supporters – those willing to fight for our issues.
It is equally important that you donate to the Trust, to help elect those who support chiropractic.

If you have contributed recently and/or are a regular contributor to the WSCT, it is appreciated and makes a difference. If you haven’t contributed, I urge you to do so today. You donate online at the WSCT website. Or, if you prefer, you can mail your donation to PO Box 2163, Seattle, WA 98111.

Make a one-time contribution: $1,000, $500, $250, $100. Or sign up for monthly credit card withdrawals: $100, $50, $25 monthly.

— Dr. Dave Butters, President
Washington State Chiropractic Trust

Hard fight brings huge legislative wins for chiropractic in Washington state this year

Posted

April 2, 2018

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters

Governor Jay Inslee has signed into law the Chiropractic Fair Pay Bill ESB 5518, the Prior Authorization Bill ESSB 6157 and HB 2313 which gives the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission greater authority and independence in its budget and operational activities. Thanks to the skillful hard work and dedication of our lobbyist, Lori Grassi, the unwavering commitment and testimony of Dr. Austin McMillan, and others who took time from their practices and families to attend Legislative Day – including additional trips to Olympia to work this legislation through the process – we were able to prevail over 12 highly paid health insurance company lobbyists.

The Fair Pay Bill ESB 5518 ensures that chiropractors are paid no less than 90% of what osteopaths and naturopaths are paid for spinal manipulation services. Currently, they are paid up to 2 times, or 100% more, for the same services. A 10% variation in reimbursement between the chiropractic and osteopathic codes is due to the Resource Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) methodology. This methodology, which is used by Medicare, establishes fair fees for services and procedures on an annual basis and allows the 10% variation in pay for the difference in the facility overhead and malpractice insurance costs between the provider types. This calculation is known as the Relative Value Unit, or RVU. The initial Fair Pay Bill, passed by the WSCA nearly 10 years ago required that insurers pay chiropractors the same for Evaluation and Management and Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation services as paid to other medical providers. Following its passage, reimbursement to chiropractors for these services increased by up to 100% (doubled). When we passed the initial Fair Pay Bill we were not able to include spinal manipulation because the chiropractic and osteopathic spinal manipulation codes are different, even though the first three codes of both are substantially similar in their service descriptions. In the case of E&M and Rehab, all providers use the exact same codes.

After many years of persistence in educating legislators and building relationships (grass roots politics) we finally got a strong majority to see the disparity and unfairness in our reimbursement for spinal manipulation. In addition, we were able to prove that we have not had a fee increase for our core service (spinal manipulation) in 15 years and that our provider contracts are take-it-or-leave-it: there is no opportunity for negotiation! ESSB 5518 takes effect January 1, 2019.

The obvious question: How will the insurers respond to the Fair Pay Bill come January 1, 2019? We don’t know! They could reduce the osteopaths and naturopaths to what they pay us, they could increase us to what they pay them, they could move us both towards the middle (all within the 10% variation) or they could use the RBRVS formula which factors in the variation and is federally recognized by CMS/Medicare. Legislators were moved by the disparity in pay and no cost of living increase in 15 years. I would suggest there was legislative intent behind the passage of ESSB 5518 and I would hope the insurers respond in good faith. We’ll just have to see!

The Prior Authorization Bill ESSB 6157 allows for up to 6 consecutive visits within an episode of care before prior authorization can be required. If the patient has not received treatment for the same or similar condition for a period of 90 days or longer it is, by definition, a new episode of care. Initially we had legislative support for 12 visits prior to requiring authorization for additional care but to move the bill out of the Senate and keep it alive we ultimately had to accept 6 visits. Those 12 health insurance lobbyists fought us aggressively every inch of the way. This legislation improves on our current situation but is still not a resolution that satisfies most of us. It’s an incremental process that never ends, I’ve come to learn and accept that challenge over 44 years of practice and political/legislative involvement nearly that long. ESSB 6157 takes effect June 6, 2018 (this year).

HB 2313 is the bill that allows our regulatory commission, the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission, to manage our licensing funds efficiently and independent of the Department of Health. It also allows the Commission to manage its staff and be more responsive to the needs of the public and the profession.

These are historic achievements for the Washington State Chiropractic Association, the Washington State Chiropractic Trust and chiropractic as a whole. To our knowledge, no other state in the USA has passed Fair Pay or Prior Authorization legislation of this nature. However, it’s important to remember that it takes persistence over years to educate 98 House members and 49 Senators.

As you can imagine, we have expended enormous political capital and much will be expected of us. The midterm elections are this November. It’s critical that we be there for those that were there for us. The Goal: re-elect our supporters – those willing to fight for your issues.

We need individual chiropractors to host meetings with other chiropractors from their area, inviting their legislators to attend. Lori Grassi is willing to help you set that up, and invite the legislators. Contact Lori at 206-878-6055 or by email lgrassi@chirohealth.org.

I am calling on you again to donate to the Trust, to help elect those who support chiropractic.

If you have contributed recently and/or are a regular contributor to the WSCT, it is appreciated and makes a difference.

If you haven’t contributed, I urge you to do so today.

You can make a one-time or recurring donation online here. Or, if you prefer, you can mail a check to P.O. Box 2163,
Seattle, WA 98111

Make a one-time contribution: $1000, $500, $250, $100 or sign up for monthly credit card withdrawals: $100, $50, $25.

 — By Dr. Dave Butters, President

Washington State Chiropractic Trust

 

 

Chiropractic Fair Pay bill passes House and Prior Authorization on its way to governor’s desk

Posted

March 1, 2018

Written By

Administrator

Dr. Dave Butters

I have an an exciting update on our progress with ESSB 6157  (Prior Authorization) and ESB 5518 (Fair Pay).

ESSB 6157, the Prior Authorization bill that allows patients up to six consecutive visits of chiropractic care in a new episode of care without requiring prior authorization, passed the Washington State House 90-8. It’s now on its way to the Governor for signature. A new episode of care is treatment for a new or recurrent condition for which the enrollee has not been treated in the previous 90 days.

ESB 5518, the Chiropractic Fair Pay bill, passed the House 86-12 Wednesday, Feb. 28 and is back to the Senate for concurrence regarding a necessary technical language change in the House. We are cautiously confident and working on the Senate concurrence which must occur by Thursday March 8 at 5 p.m., after which ESB 5518 will also be sent to the Governor for signature.

Thank you to all of you who have called and or made trips to Olympia to meet with your legislators and who have worked the House and Senate Chamber doors with our lobbyist Lori Grassi.

— Dr. Dave Butters, President
Washington State Chiropractic Trust