TCA News & Notes
Visit this page to find the current information affecting your practice.
Doctor Privilege - September 8, 2010
Information on the upcoming Chiropractic Practice Management Seminar.
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Doctor Privilege - September 3, 2010
Highlights of those who were honored and recognized at the TCA Annual Convention and 75th Anniversary Celebration.
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Doctor Privilege - September 2, 2010
Covering the 2011 legislative agenda and a “save the date” for the upcoming December Seminar.
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Doctor Privilege - August 31, 2010
TCA Annual Convention & 75th Anniversary Review, as well as a CE certificate reminder.
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Doctor Privilege - August 12, 2010
Information on the TCA Annual Convention including a hotel room block update and the announcement of the winner of the $50 gas card for early registration.
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Doctor Privilege - August 12, 2010
A time sensitive consumer protection bulletin
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Doctor Privilege - August 6, 2010
Information on an exciting, pro-chiropractic ad to watch for in your newspaper
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Doctor Privilege - August 5, 2010
Information on the upcoming 2010 TCA Annual Convention, including doctor and staff seminars, a CTA exam opportunity, and an alumni event.
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Doctor Privilege - July 12, 2010
Information on the Medicare fee schedule and related updates.
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Doctor Privilege - June 28, 2010
Information on the 2010 Annual Convention
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Doctor Privilege - June 25, 2010
Information on Medicare fee cuts being delayed until December
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Doctor Privilege - June 21, 2010
Update on the 21% Medicare fee cuts and information on a CXT CE opportunity
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Doctor Privilege - June 16, 2010
Information on 2010 Annual Awards Nominations
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Doctor Privilege - June 14, 2010
Information on Medicare Fee cuts, the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, and CXT CE opportunity.
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Doctor Privilege - June 11, 2010
Information on TCA Chiropractic Relief Fund and an update on the new TCA headquarters
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Summit Medicare Documentation Article VI
The Medicare Appeals Process
Chiropractic Summit Article
Getting paid for what you do sometimes involves appealing claim denials. In the case of Medicare, the government maintains specific protocols for the appeals process. The following outline will assist you in knowing what is required to appeal a Medicare denial.
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Chiropractic Summit Issues Fifth Medicare Briefing
Medicare Audits Part II - What the Chiropractor Needs to Know
Chiropractic Summit Article
A major focus of the Summit is to improve practitioner participation, documentation, and compliance within the Medicare system. The article that follows below is the fifth in a series developed by the Chiropractic Summit Documentation Committee, and it focuses on Medicare audits.
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Chiropractic Summit Iddues - Fourth Medicare Briefing
Medicare Audits - What the Chiropractor Needs to Know
A major focus of the Summit is to improve practitioner participation, documentation, and compliance within the Medicare system. The article that follows below is the fourth in a series developed by the Chiropractic Summit Documentation Committee, and it focuses on Medicare audits. This article, as well the one which will follow, will cover audits, subsequent denials, and appeals, as well as misinformation and misconceptions about the Medicare appeal process. With the significant increase in chiropractic providers across the country being audited by Medicare, there appears to be much confusion and uncertainty in how best to respond. We hope this article will help.
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Chiropractic Summit V Issues Third Medicare Briefing
Meeting Medicare’s Documentation Requirements
Chiropractic Summit Article
Documentation continues to be the chiropractic profession’s greatest weakness when it comes to Medicare reimbursement. A major focus of the Summit has been to advance efforts for improving Medicare documentation and the companion article that follows is the third in a series of articles addressing the situation.
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The Medicare Claim
Chiropractic Summit Article
This is a continuation of a series of articles on Medicare, Medicare documentation, and related issues. The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a report on June 21, 2005 concerning the inadequacy of chiropractic Medicare documentation. The purpose of these articles is to familiarize the profession with the specific concerns that were raised in that report and the areas of which Doctors of Chiropractic need to be especially cognizant.
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Historic Summit Seeks Collective Solutions to Chiropractic’s Urgent Challenges
Chiropractic Summit Article
Issues in Medicare
Part 1: Medicare Facts and Myths
This is the first in a series of articles on Medicare and issues affecting the chiropractic profession. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) published a report in 2005 identifying an overall error rate of 67% within the chiropractic profession related to Medicare documentation. A follow-up OIG report is anticipated to be released by the end of 2008. The 2009 OIG Work Plan announced it will review chiropractic billings with the Active Treatment (AT) Modifier to determine the appropriateness of the Medicare payments for chiropractic claims identified as maintenance therapy.
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CBS News Investigation
"This year marks the 50th anniversary of the good, old-fashioned copy machine. But, as Armen Keteyian reports, advanced technology has opened a dangerous hole in data security." - CBS
Check out the following video at CBS News Online for more information.
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Doctor Privilege - May 20, 2010
Information on the Chiropractic X-Ray Technician Training Course and CE opportunity for CXTs
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Doctor Privilege - May 18, 2010
Information on the new TCA Headquarters
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Doctor Privilege - May 7, 2010
Information on the new TCA headquarters, an update on our phone system, and TCA members reaching out to help those affected by the flood.
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Doctor Privilege - May 3, 2010
Information on Flood 2010
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Doctor Privilege - April 27, 2010
Information on the upcoming CXT Training Program, the TCA Annual Convention, Expo & Gala, and the audio availability of last Wednesday’s member teleconference.
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Doctor Privilege - April 19, 2010
A reminder about the CXT Class registration deadline, an update on the member teleconference, and information on the TCA Convention Exhibitor Prospectus
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An Investment in Your Future
Thank you for supporting your profession and renewing your commitment to the Tennessee Chiropractic Association. Look at the attached document to see what you made possible in 2009 by being a member of the TCA!
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Doctor Privilege - April 16, 2010
Medicare fee schedule updated and information on the upcoming member teleconference
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2010 Legislative Position Summary
Up-to-date information regarding 2010 Legislation will be provided as it becomes available.
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Doctor Privilege - April 9, 2010
Important Legislative Update
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Doctor Privilege - April 8, 2010
Information on the upcoming member teleconference, a Cahaba GBA Medicare 101 webinar, and a reminder about Medicare modifier -GX.
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Doctor Privilege - April 5, 2010
Information on the upcoming Chiropractic X-ray Technician (CXT) 48 Hour Training course.
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Part 6 of 2010 CXT Spring Seminar Notes
Part 6 of Dr. Chery Williams-Elliston's notes is now available in pdf format. These go along with the notes that were given to the attendees at the 2010 CXT Spring Seminar.
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PDF Slide from 2010 Spring Seminar with Dr. Kurt Larsen
The corresponding pdf document is the colored version of the slide titled "Trap & Occipital Fibers" on page 14 of the notes from Dr. Kurt Larsen's lecture at the 2010 Spring Seminar.
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Doctor Privilege - March 30, 2010
Information on Medicare fee schedule cuts beginning April 1st, upcoming member teleconference, and how to get more involved with the TCA.
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Doctor Privilege - March 22, 2010
Important Legislative Update
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Summary of 2010 Bills
We have summarized bills of interest and provided our position as representatives of Tennessee's Chiropractic Physicians and the patients they serve.
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Doctor Privilege - March 18, 2010
Recap of the 2010 Chiropractic Day on "the Hill."
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Doctor Privilege - March 11, 2010
Information on another possibly delay in the Medicare fee schedule and a National Healthcare Reform update. Also attached is a sample letter to send to your legislators to oppose the Medicare fee cuts and their contact information.
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Doctor Privilege - March 5, 2010
Information of the passing of Dr. Ronald Free and services.
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Doctor Privilege - March 4, 2010
Information on Spring Seminar and the delay in the Medicare fee schedule cuts
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Doctor Privilege - February 12, 2010
Information of Day at the Hill
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Doctor Privilege - February 8, 2010
Information on the 2010 West Seminar in Memphis.
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Summit Medicare Article V
Chiropractic Summit Issues Fifth Medicare Briefing
Medicare Audits Part II - What the Chiropractor Needs to Know
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Doctor Privilege - February 1, 2010
A legislative update, Medicare demonstration project results, and information on the upcoming West Seminar
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Doctor Privilege - January 25, 2010
A message from your TCA President
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Doctor Privilege - January 12, 2010
CE certificate reminder and topic information for the West Seminar
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Doctor Privilege - January 6, 2010
Information on our upcoming Coding and Medicare Seminar
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Doctor Privilege
Upcoming 2010 TCA Events
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Doctor Privilege - January 4, 2010
Update on the Medicare fee schedule
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Doctor Privilege - December 21, 2009
National Healthcare Reform news, a call to action to help stop the 21% Medicare fee cuts for 2010, and a CMS FWA training clarification.
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Doctor Privilege - December 16, 2009
Information regarding the passing of Dr. Michael Buckridge and services.
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Doctor Privilege - December 15, 2009
Information on CMS training, the deadline for turning in 2009 CE to the Board of Examiners, and the first CE opportunity of 2010
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Doctor Privilege - December 14, 2009
Important insurance updates and a teleconference reminder.
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Doctor Privilege - December 1, 2009
Information on billing x-ray and office visit charges to Cahaba, a scheduled Memphis CTA exam, and a CE certificate reminder.
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Doctor Privilege - November 24, 2009
Information on the December teleconference as well as remaining CE opportunities for 2009
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Doctor Privilege - November 6, 2009
Update on National Heathcare Reform. Also, please find a full copy of the recently introduced HR 3962, section-by-section reading guide, timeline on implementation, and the Republican analysis under the Resources section.
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Doctor Privilege - November 2, 2009
Educational opportunities in Memphis, Red Flags Rule delay, staff transition at the Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and the monthly teleconference.
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Doctor Privilege - October 27, 2009
Information on the passing of Dr. Allen Chamberlain and services.
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Doctor Privilege - October 22, 2009
Information on the passing of Dr. Wayne Ottinger and upcoming CE opportunities.
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Doctor Privilege - October 15, 2009
Information on billing electric muscle stimulation to Medicare.
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Doctor Privilege - October 8, 2009
Reminder of a helpful form for the new Assignment of Benefits law available on-line
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Doctor Privilege - October 6, 2009
Information on our monthly teleconference and upcoming CE opportunities
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Doctor Privilege - October 5, 2009
Covering “physician” status being restored for chiropractors in the BCBSA Federal Employee Plan and a reminder about the CTA/CXT Boundaries, Ethics & Jurisprudence, state required 2 hours CE class and CTA Exam to be held in Memphis
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Doctor Privilege - October 2, 2009
Information on the monthly teleconference as well as information on a CTA/CXT Boundaries, Ethics & Jurisprudence, state required 2 hours CE class and CTA Exam to be held in Memphis
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Doctor Privilege - October 1, 2009
Information of Spinal Health Month in Tennessee
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Doctor Privilege - September 29, 2009
Upcoming acupuncture seminars
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Doctor Privilege - September 25, 2009
2009 Fall Convention recap as well as the dates for next year's annual convention.
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Doctor Privilege - September 24, 2009
Covering National Health Care Reform resources and a Cahaba update.
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TCA Identity Theft -Red Flags Prevention Protocol Template
This is the template that was used in the recent CORA seminars. It is not a finished version, but will provide you with a shell for your Protocol. Edit the document as needed for your office. Be sure to include all relavant Red Flags, as well as Policies and Procedures for the Prevention, Identification and Mitigation of Identity Theft. If you are unable to open this file and maek the needed edits, please contact the TCA office.
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Assignment of Benefits- Signed by Governor
In the culmination of what has been a very successful legislative year for the TCA, the General Assembly passed and sent to Governor to sign:
SB 1627 by Beavers/HB 1589 by Curtiss - As amended, the bill adds language to the existing statute governing assignment of medical expense benefits under property and casualty insurance policies. If a patient wishes to have his or her medical benefits paid to a health care provider who provided services to the patient, the patient must inform the insruance company of her or her wishes.
The success we have had this year is a testament to what we can do if we work together and lawmakers hear the importance of the issues from their voting physician constituents. Give yourself a round of applause and know that passage of these bill were the result of all who participated in this grassroots effort.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE TENNESSEE CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION!
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TCA Represented at WC Conference
Link to presentation below
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Bridgestone recoupment stopped!
Bob Fox, Senior Vice-President for BCBS Provider Relations in the Nashville office informed the TCA that recoupment therapies previously requested for 2008 will not be taken. At our request, he prepared a letter confirming this change. In fact, the letter states that while the benefit plan changes are effective January 1, 2009, no recoupment will be taken for this reason for any date of service prior to May 1, 2009! Click below to download a copy of the letter.
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DEPT OF COMMERCE & INSURANCE BULLETIN
Regarding Chiropractic Exclusions or Limitations, Discrimination Prohibited
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E-mail Your U.S. Legislators
Chiropractic Inclusion in National Healthcare Reform
SAMPLE E‐MAIL TO LEGISLATORS: NATIONAL HEALTHCARE REFORM
Please use the following as a template for correspondence to your legislators regarding National Healthcare Reform. Personalizing the e‐mail is encouraged. Simply create your letter, then copy and paste into the legislator’s contact page of their website.
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I’m sure you’ll agree, there is little doubt that the 111th Congress and White House will take up the issue of “National Health Reform” sometime in calendar year 2009. No reform effort, no matter how well it is structured or funded, will succeed fully -- or achieve its
maximum potential to benefit the American people, unless such effort is coupled with a broad transformational change – a paradigm shift—away from the current health delivery system, which is largely oriented towards providing care for those who have already become seriously ill, to a more forward thinking and progressive system that has as its main focus comprehensive wellness care and disease prevention.
Essential services provided by doctors of chiropractic typically include a holistic approach to the treatment of illness, with an appropriate emphasis on wellness concepts that involve diet, nutrition, exercise, and positive lifestyle changes. As chiropractic treatment does not involve the use of drugs or surgery, the treatment is not only cost-effective, but is also low-risk. Complications are rare and patient satisfaction with chiropractic care is typically higher than care being offered by other providers attempting to treat similar conditions by other means, such as “traditional” medical care.
I urge you to ensure that any federally defined package of “minimum benefits” that may be established specifically includes services provided by doctors of chiropractic. I also implore you to ensure that the availability of chiropractic is equal to the availability of traditional medical care in all federally established or regulated plans, including managed care plans, and that any discriminatory policies adverse to chiropractic patients and providers are eliminated.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of my views expressed above. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
[your name here]
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Protect Patient Access to Chiropractic: Join the Chiropractic Advocacy Network
It's easy to help!
There is no cost to sign up.
Patients who sign-up will recieve valuable benefits:
* Regular legislative updates
* A monthly e-newsletter
* Tips and talking points for corresponding with elected officials
Use the link to print a sign-up form to use in your office.
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SAMPLE LETTERS - Senator/House Letter from Doctor
Use this letter as a guide to compose a letter to your House/Senators.
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SAMPLE LETTERS to House/Senate Members writen from a Patients perspective
Share this sample letter with your patients so that they can draft a letter to their US legislators to request the inclusion of chiropractic in the National Health Care System.
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MEDICARE ARTICLE - January 2008
As stated in the January 3rd Doctor Privilege, this article has a great deal of helpful information.
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2007 TN ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION: Spinal Manipulation
Click below to view the Attorney General's opinion regarding spinal manipulation.
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COVER TENNESSEE
Cover TN Update
Many of you have received information on the BlueCoverTN or Blue Network V program currently being developed by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. BCBS anticipates partnering with the State of Tennessee in an endeavor to provide coverage to people who do not qualify under other programs. If you are a current BCBS Provider you are NOT required to be a member of this network. However, if you do not respond or reply to the information sent you will automatically be enrolled. The reimbursement information sent yesterday was not a full list of the benefits the program provides. It does include the 98940-43 codes and other chiropractic codes. You may find a full list of covered codes and reimbursement amounts click on the PDF file below.
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