Ped Ex:
Research, Training, Education

ICPA follow up on Experimental and Investigational

Many of our Doctors are dealing with what appears to be a double standard in insurance coverage. Patients are being sent notices by Care First BC/BS of MD that chiropractic for their children under the age of 12 is "experimental and investigational" even though this decision by Care First BC/BS is not based on any supportive evidence.

The ICPA is confronting this issue in two very effective ways: Research and Public Education. In chiropractic there have been suits filed in Washington on our behalf, and even so, it seems that the policies do not go in our favor. One national organization put out 8 million dollars in a suit with BC/BS a couple of years ago and the results were not only unfavorable--things seem to have gotten even worse.

When asked by our members what we are going to do about this obvious discriminate against chiropractic, I assure you we will not pursue a similar, costly, failed avenue. What we will pursue, however is two avenues that are consistent with our mission, proactive avenues that have been lacking in this profession: research and public education. With research we can show the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care. With public education we can reach critical mass among parents who want our services but are just not aware of them.

Our Research Director is already writing a paper to be published addressing this "experimental and investigational" issue. We are also expanding our Practiced Based Research Network (read below) for greater research achievements. As for public education, the ICPA is the first national organization that I know of that has done public advertising on a consistent basis for the good of chiropractic. We are expanding our national campaign that will bring more parents to chiropractic in pursuit of the natural chiropractic lifestyle.

Research:

There is minimal published research on the care of children and pregnant women and although as practitioners we see these successful cases in our practices every day, we need to combine our efforts to form large study bases. Additionally we are expanding our Practiced Based Research Network to include your participation in a study with pregnant women using the Webster Technique and additionally, a study on children with ADHD. Both of these issues are timely and both of these populations are in dire need of our care. At this point preliminary results with both groups are very impressive and we feel that now is the time to launch these projects full force. Where as we will not charge our members to participate in the study, there are numerous administrative fees that occur with this type of endeavor.

Public Education:

Our public education department is now expanding its national advertising efforts. We are prresently linked to numerous family web sites and are advertised in three magazines: Mothering, Midwifery Today and Wellness Bound. These magazines have provided excellent exposure for our doctors and we are now looking to pursue a largeer market. We have are signing contracts with a leading pregnancy and child based magazine. To date, we have been able to cover the advertising costs through membership dues; however the combined annual costs for the additional ads will be approximately $100,000 per year. It is now that we need our members' support more than ever. It is time to step to the plate and hit a home run for chiropractic. How much does it mean to you as a chiropractor to have a presence in national magazines that parents read? How much do you pay for your phone book ad each month? How about local newspaper ads? Most of our members have commented on the great referrals they are getting from our current advertising. I am asking that we all step it up a level: for our practices, for chiropractic and mostly for the many people needing our services.

Be involved:

Very simply, we need the funds to carry out the program. We have designed two secure on-line pages on our web site www.icpa4kids.com site that give you the opportunity to donate towards both endeavors. Your immediate contribution is vital to make this happen.

For research investment contributions visit: https://secure.icpa4kids.com/research_form.html

For public education investment contributions visit: https://secure.icpa4kids.com/investment_form.html

Please be assured, these donations will be specifically used for these designated projects, so every dollar goes right where you intend it to go.

Be proactive:

This BC/ BS scenario is happening all over the country in various shapes and forms. Approximately two years ago, one of our members experienced this type of refusal for one of their patients. It was not yet a clause in the BC/BS policy to blatantly exclude care for children under the age of 12; it seemed that the insurance company was only picking out certain cases. This member wrote a great rebuttal letter to BC/ BS and was paid within a few weeks. If you have come across this type of dilemma and the patient's policy does not exclude care for children, this letter may be helpful in your rebuttal. This letter is available for any of our current ICPA members.

Get the message out:

When you receive your next Family Wellness First e-newsletter--send it out to everyone, especially patients. Our FWF e-newsletter addresses the whole "experimental and investigational" issue and it is best for our patients to hear about it from us directly rather than through an intimidating letter from BC/BS. Encourage your patients to directly sign up for the FWF e-news updates - it is a way for us to continuously communicate to parents of like minded concerns. We are composing a letter for them to use as a guideline when confronting this obvious discrimination towards chiropractic. Other developments via the BC/BS FWF e-news sign up: http://www.icpa4kids.org/e-news.htm

Encourage your DC colleagues to sign up for this PedEx: http://www.icpa4kids.com/ped_ex_chiropractic_pediatrics_email_updates.htm and even more importantly to become members: http://www.icpa4kids.com/pediatric_chiropractic_join_the_icpa.htm
Check here to make sure your membership is kept current as well: http://www.icpa4kids.com/locator/renewal.php

Make a Presence:

We have been personally invited by the Chiropractic Coalition to attend their Joint Legislative Day April 14, 2005 in Washingtom, DC. For those of you who want to take political action as well with this BC/BS situation, this is perhaps one of your best opportunities to have your voice heard. Every doctor especially in MD, DE, DC should attend this event and make a statement for children and chiropractic with your state reps. Timing is everything and Thursday, April 14th will offer a perfect forum. Visit this site for additional information: www.chiropracticcoalition.org

Know you are appreciated:

I cannot thank you enough for your continued support and enthusiasm for our combined mission and the exciting direction it is taking us in chiropractic. These are very crucial times for the future of chiropractic as we know it. Each and every effort you put towards accomplishing our goals will have tremendous impact. It is my personal belief that we have the highest quality doctor membership in the profession I am privileged to work with all of you.