eUpdate Volume 24, No. 8 October 2014 Read. Engage. Share. Contribute your stories and ideas to [email protected]Mission Statement The mission of the Colorado Chiropractic Association is to protect, promote, and expand the ethical and professional practice of chiropractic in the state of Colorado. Inside this issue... It’s a New Day at the CCA! The official online journal of the Colorado Chiropractic Association and your inside source for chiropractic news and happenings around the state As we welcome the changing of the seasons, the CCA is excited to also welcome a number of big transitions. New leadership. New staff. New ideas. New vision. With the dawning of a new day at the CCA, we ask for your engagement, support and feedback. Be on the lookout over coming months for surveys, new programs, and news about expanded member benefits--and even a new website! Reach out. Get involved. We are here to support YOU! CCA Vision Statement Developed at the Sept. 27, 2014 Leadership Retreat: The CCA is a transformational movement that respects diversity utilizing effective & valuable communication that results in universal accessibility to natural healthcare for humanity. Ebola Outbreak: Signs, Symptoms & Screening for Chiropractors pg. 2-3 Medicare: What Doctors of Chiropractic Need to Know pg. 6 Under-coding: One of the Most Misunderstood Violations in the Business pg. 8-9 Upcoming Events pg. 10-11 Standing Meetings pg. 12-13 Member Info pg. 14-15 Board, Staff and DORA pg. 16-17 Club CCA Vendors pg. 18 War Chest Donations pg. 19 CCA PAC Donations pg. 20-21
Transcript
eUpdateVolume 24, No. 8 October 2014
Read. Engage. Share.Contribute your stories and ideas to [email protected]
Mission StatementThe mission of the
Colorado Chiropractic Association is to protect, promote, and expand the ethical and
professional practice of chiropractic in the state of Colorado.
Inside this issue...It’s a
New Day at the CCA!
The official online journal of the Colorado Chiropractic Association andyour inside source for chiropractic news and happenings around the state
As we welcome the changing of the seasons, the CCA is excited to also welcome a number of big transitions.
New leadership. New staff. New ideas. New vision.
With the dawning of a new day at the CCA, we ask for your engagement, support and feedback.
Be on the lookout over coming months for surveys, new programs, and news about expanded member benefits--and even a new website!
Reach out. Get involved.We are here to support YOU!
CCA Vision Statement Developed at the
Sept. 27, 2014 Leadership Retreat:
The CCA is a transformational movement
that respects diversity utilizing effective & valuable communication
that results in universal accessibility
to natural healthcare for humanity.
Ebola Outbreak: Signs, Symptoms & Screening for Chiropractors pg. 2-3
Medicare: What Doctors of Chiropractic Need to Know pg. 6
Under-coding: One of the Most Misunderstood Violations in the Business pg. 8-9
for ChiropractorsYou’re probably aware of the recent Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. Even with the proliferation of information from various news channels, however, you may not be aware of important details that could help you identify the disease if presented by one of your own patients—including the virus’s origin, symptoms, treatment and screening procedures.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outbreaks of the rare and deadly virus have appeared sporadically in Africa since 1976. The most recent West African outbreak is the largest in history, with nearly 8,400 cases causing more than 4,000 deaths across seven countries (CDC Case Counts—as of October 10, 2014).
A separate and unrelated outbreak in the Democratic Republic the Congo was reported in August 2014, and has resulted in 70 reported cases and 43 deaths as of October 5, 2014 (CDC Outbreak Update, October 8, 2014).
While the vast majority of cases in the current, ongoing West African outbreak are concentrated in just five countries—Guinea, Liberia , Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone—there has been a single travel-related Ebola death reported in the United States.
As “Portal of Entry” health care providers, it’s important that Colorado DC’s be familiar with the signs and symptoms of Ebola and be able to conduct a basic screening for the disease should a patient present a number of these symptoms.
Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask will help you offer the best protection and treatment for your patients and anyone who enters your office.
Story by: Stacey L. BennettEvents & Marketing DirectorColorado Chiropractic Assn.October 10, 2014
1 in 2people who get Ebola in this outbreak have died.
How do you get the Ebola virus?Direct contact with:1 Body fluids of a person who is
sick with or has died from Ebola. (blood, vomit, pee, poop, sweat, semen, spit, other fluids)
2 Objects contaminated with the virus (needles, medical equipment)
3 Infected animals (by contact with blood or fluids or infected meat)
Early Symptoms:Ebola can only be spread to others after symptoms begin. Symptoms can appear from 2 to 21 days after exposure. ● Fever ● Headache ● Diarrhea ● Vomiting
● Stomach pain ● Unexplained bleeding or bruising ●Muscle pain
When is someone able to spreadthe disease to others?Ebola only spreadswhen people are sick.A patient must havesymptoms to spread the disease to others.
After 21 days, if anexposed person doesnot develop symptoms, they will not become sick with Ebola.
The following information is listed on the CDC Website:
“Symptoms of Ebola include
• Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)• Severe headache• Muscle pain• Weakness• Diarrhea• Vomiting• Abdominal (stomach) pain• Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days.
Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.”
If you have a patient reporting of any of the symptoms listed above, you should take the time to inquire if they’ve traveled to any of the outbreak-affected countries in the three weeks prior to symptom onset.
The following resources for healthcare providers will help you know what to do if you come in contact with a patient at risk of exposure to the Ebola virus:
• Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Algorithm for Evaluation of the Returned Traveler
• Checklist for Patients Being Evaluated for EVD in the United States
• Tools for Protecting Healthcare Personnel
*Click here for a full list of CDC Information for Healthcare Workers
Knowledge is power. The better informed you are as a Doctor of Chiropractic, the better you can protect yourself, your family and those you serve.
Right: Infographic found at http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/west-africa-outbreak-infographic.pdf
Medicare Audits:What DC’s Need to Know About Records Requests
Medicare audits and reviews have been increasing in the United States, and Doctors of Chiropractic across the country are receiving records requests without fully understanding the seriousness or specifics of the of the process. Whether you’re a participating or non-participating DC, it’s important that you understand what to do if you are asked to supply documentation from any regulatory entity.
The following information from the American Chiropractic Association details what to do if you receive an audit notice.
“When you receive a request for records, please be aware that it can come from many different sources for many possible reasons. It is important to keep in mind that it does not mean you have done anything wrong—some of these requests are just generated at random. Your request may have come from a CERT (Comprehensive Error Rate Testing) contractor, from an A/B MAC (Medicare Administrative Contractor), a RAC (Recovery Audit Contractor), another type of CMS contractor, or the OIG (Office of the Inspector General). Carefully review the letter you have received noting the specific information requested, the deadline for submission of records and the address where you should submit your information. (This information is frequently found IN the letter and is not the same as the address on the letterhead).
If you have received a request for records, it is extremely important to respond in a complete and timely fashion. If you receive a denial, after submitting your records, it is important to file an appeal and follow through with the process.
For more information on how to respond to denials and various requests for records, select the statement below which best describes your current position:
• I received a request for records from my Medicare claims contractor.• I received a request for records from CERT.• I received a request for records from the OIG.• I received a request for records from a Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC).• I received a request for records from an entity not noted above.• Review ACA’s List of Documentation, Legal and Statistical Experts Available for Additional
Assistance. ” (Retrieved from www.ACAToday.org on October 15, 2014)
Finally, the ACA’s Medicare Audit Defense Task Force has supplied a collection of tips for responding to records requests.
The most important thing to do should you receive on of these requests is respond with the requested documentation by the deadline specified in your letter.
If you are a CCA member and have received a records request, call the CCA today for essential information to help you navigate the OIG or Medicare request process. Not a member? Join today for access to this critical information and ensure you’ve got what you need to know to handle a records audit.
Story by: Stacey L. BennettEvents & Marketing DirectorColorado Chiropractic Assn.October 15, 2014
Industry trends. OIG “recommendations.” Medicare and third-party payer compliance. ICD-10 implementation! It’s a constantly shifting practice environment, and we make sure our clients are up-to-speed every step of the way.
We offer:
Content-rich consultancy, analysis, coaching, training, and systems implementationDistinct and specific expertise to help you navigate the business side of your practiceSubscription-based services, products, seminars, and webinars
We analyze, we train, we implement, and we do it like no one else. We are your go-to reimbursement and compliance solution, and we’re adding more for you every day. We help DCs stay calm and in compliance while making—and keeping—more money.
Look for more great things from us coming this fall!
We’re the best reimbursement and compliance experts in the
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1-855-TEAM KMCWWW.KMCUNIVERSITY.COM Helping Chiropractors make
Violations in the BusinessAs both a chiropractor and a Medical Compliance Specialist-Physician (MCS-P), I’m out there in the trenches talking to DCs all over the country. And I’m dismayed at how many doctors still think that that all they have to do to charge a lower fee for cash or underinsured patients is “tweak” their coding (all while continuing to charge higher codes for Medicare, third-party payers and Workmen’s Comp).
There’s an important conversation we need to be having as a profession about under-coding, and it begins with the fact that it is every bit as much of a risk as over-coding. In fact, it can be considered inducement, a kick-back, maintaining a dual fee schedule, and abuse. It all adds up to that dreaded five-letter word: AUDIT.
Keep in mind, the OIG doesn’t care why the doctor took action. So if a DC, no matter how lovingly and kindly, tries to help out a cash or underinsured patient by coding for a lesser service or fewer services than were actually performed and charges accordingly, they’re in hot water, no matter how “nice” they may have been trying to be.There’s a safe way to offer discounts to help out patients and there are an almost infinite number of illegal ways to do so. Among the latter, under-coding is possibly the most tricky, because doctors think that by under- instead of over-coding, they’re flying under OIG radar.
Nothing could be further than the truth.
Under-coding, is, quite simply, fraud. It represents discriminatory billing, which carries not only the taint of a dual fee schedule—one for cash patients, the other for Medicare and third-party payers—but also can be viewed as a kick-back or inducement. After all, Medicare defines inducement as “offering any free or reduced service to a patient to encourage providing a service that would be covered by Medicare.”
Under-coding can also be considered abuse as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): “misusing codes on a claim.” Since under-coding almost always takes the form of overreliance upon the same lower value codes, the flag that pattern raises isn’t just red, but flashing like a stoplight: if your coding shows the same low value codes showing up over and over again, you might as well be wearing a sign that says, “Please audit me!”
Happily, no doctor need resort to under-coding to make their care more affordable to uninsured, underinsured or partially insured patients. That’s why I started ChiroHealthUSA, a Discount Medical Provider Organization (DMPO) that allows participating doctors to set legal discounts of their choosing for member patients. There’s no cost to the doctor, and a mere $39 per year per family charge to the patient.
Every Tuesday, we give a free webinar explaining the benefits of joining ChiroHealthUSA. You can register at www.chirohealthusa.com.
Dr. Foxworth is a certified Medical Compliance Specialist and President of ChiroHealthUSA. A practicing Chiropractor, he remains “in the trenches” facing challenges with billing, coding, documentation and compliance. He has served as president of the Mississippi Chiropractic Association, former Staff Chiropractor at the G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center and is a Fellow of the International College of Chiropractic.
You can contact Dr. Foxworth at 888-719-9990, [email protected] or visit the ChiroHealthUSA website at www.chirohealthusa.com.
Join us for a free webinar that will give you all the details about how a DMPO can help you practice with more peace of mind. Go to www.chirohealthusa.com to register today.
Half a million people across America have affordable access to chiropractic care through ChiroHealthUSA, and joining us is as easy as 1-2-3!
Avoiding risks of fines of up to $10,000 through compliant discounts, and transitioning patients from insurance to private pay are just two of the benefits of ChirohealthUSA. For us, the most important one is being able to make a difference in the life and health of your patients and their families. After all, isn’t that the main reason you became a chiropractor in the first place?
Join the thousands of doctors who have grown their practices with one of the leading chiropractic networks in the market; there are no fees to join, and you set your own discounts.
Make the call; It is time to start practicing with more peace of mind by becoming a member of ChiroHealthUSA.
Would you like to have a simple, one-page long financial policy in your practice? You can as amember of ChiroHealthUSA! Send an email to [email protected] and we’ll send you a sample.
Omni Interlocken Resort500 Interlocken Blvd.Broomfield, CO 80021
CCA Conference Center8751 E. Hampden #B-7Yosemite & Hampden
Embassy Suites Denver Airport7001 Yampa StreetDenver, CO 80249
Embassy Suites Denver Airport7001 Yampa StreetDenver, CO 80249
CCA Board Meeting
Colorado Women’s ChiropracticAssociation Meeting
X-Files: Basic X-Ray Training303.423.4610 or 866.423.4610www.lthaw.comColorado law requires that unlicensed personnel taking any type of x-rays (including digital) in chiropractic clinics receive at least 24 hours of training. This course provides 12 hours of training with instructions on how to complete the remaining 12 hours at your clinic.
»» Mesa County Chiropractic Association MeetingFirst Wednesday each month
November 5, 2014 December 3, 2014 January 7, 2015
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Please contact Dr. Wes Sheader for more information at [email protected] or 970-254-2954Bookcliff Country Club2730 G Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81506(970) 242-9053
»» Colorado Chiropractic Association Board of Directors MeetingNext Meeting: July 17, 2014
Colorado Chiropractic Association Headquarters8751 E Hampden Ave. Suite B-7Denver, CO 80231
»» Colorado Women’s Chiropractic AssociationSecond Tuesday of every odd numbered month.November 11, 2014 January 11, 2015 March 10, 2015
7-9 p.m. CCA Conference Center. Each meeting features a guest speaker and an open forum for ideas and discus-sion. Contact Dr. Rebecca Noren for more info. 303-984-1111 or [email protected]
»» Colorado State Board of Chiropractic ExaminersUsually 4th Thursday every other month.November 13, 2014
Colorado State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (CBCE) meetings generally start at 9 a.m. 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350 Denver, CO 80202 MAIN (303) 894-7800Fax - (303) 894-7764
Check the board’s website for room number and agenda: www.dora.state.co.us/chiropractic/boardmeetings.htm
Enhanced MembersThe Colorado Chiropractic Association offers enhanced membership opportunities to help support YOU, your patients, and the chiropractic profession in Colorado. Your enhanced membership will be used to fund legislative activity at the state level AND the care and maintenance of the CCA office – the headquarters for chiropractic in Colorado!
» Fred Blesch, DC » Robert Borman, DC » Jennifer Crismon, DC » Elizabeth Decker, DC » Glynn Hopkins, II, DC » Larry Low, DC
Lisa MooreDenver, CO
Benjamin ClaussenStrausburg, CO
Russ BurdsallNorthglenn, CO
Marco VespaDenver, CO
Christie SiggDenver, CO
Shaun & Jennifer KloorWestminster, CO
Thank you to all CCA members for your support of the CCA and the
Spouses Name: Spouse is DC?: Y/ N Your date of birth: Date of CO License::
Have you practiced elsewhere? Y / N How long in practice elsewhere?:
Chiropractic College: Year graduated: State(s) licensed in:
Also affiliated with: How did you hear about the CCA?:
By submitting this application I am committing to a minimum of 1 year membership, at said level, with the Colorado Chiropractic Association (CCA): I agree to uphold the code of ethics and bylaws of the Association and to abide by the rules and regulations set forth, including timely pay-ment of dues. If I wish to cancel membership I will do so in writing. I understand that by providing my fax number, e-mail address, and other business/personal information; I hereby consent to receive faxes, e-mails, texts and other electronic communication sent by, or on behalf of, the Colorado Chiropractic Association unless I notify the CCA to remove my info from the communication list.
Dues Schedule - Please check one: ENHANCED membership
DC (4 years or more in practice) $65.72 Monthly $744.57 Annually $1,500 Annually BRONZE
DC Spouse $17 Monthly $200 Annually Contact the CCA for MORE info on enhanced options.
DC (3 years in practice) $40 Monthly $456 Annually
DC (2 years in practice) $20 Monthly $228 Annually
DC New Graduate $10 Monthly $114 Annually
DC Retired $32 Monthly $363 Annually
DC Non-resident of Colorado or Licensed Non-practicing $75 Annually
Non-DC member/Student $35 Annually
If paying by check, make payable to CCA
MONTHLY DUES MUST BE PAID AUTOMATICALLY - Please select an option below for EASY PAY CC#: _____________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date:
(MC, Visa, AMEX, or Discover)
OR deduct from my checking or savings account BANK NAME:________________________________________
Account #____________________________________________________Routing#:_________________________________or submit voided checkI authorize the CCA to initiate, on or about the 20th of each month, debit entries to my credit card or bank account as specified above, for the minimum of 12 months from sign up date. I understand that dues will be adjusted if my membership classification changes. This agreement will remain in affect unless I notify the CCA in writing to cancel it.
Join the Colorado Chiropractic AssociationThe voice of Colorado chiropractic since 1917.
Please return this completed form with payment to:CCA 8751 E. Hampden Ave #B-7
Denver, CO 80231-4929 or FAX to (303) 755-1010
Dues are deductible as an ordinary business expense. Contributions or gifts to the Colorado Chiropractic Association are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. However, they may be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses subject to restrictions imposed as a result of association lobbying activities. The CCA estimates that the non-deductible portion of your annual dues - the portion which is allocated to lobbying - is 21%.
Reprinting of materials is granted, except for materials indicated as copyrighted or reserved, but only upon giving credit to the CCA eUpdate in the reproduction. Reproduction of any other material without credit is prohibited, and if you want to quote or reproduce from any item, call or write for information and permission. Copyright(C) 1989 to present Colorado Chiropractic Association
District 6 Director/AlternateWilliam “Bill” Thomas, DC
District 7 Director/AlternateRandy Roman, DC/Michael Treinen, DC
District 8 Director/AlternateIsaac Mooberry, D.C./David Dickerson, DC
District 9 Director/AlternateLea Yoder, DC/
Shane Steadman, DC
Directors at LargeJames Farrell, D.C., CCEP
Chad Kesner, DC, DACBSP, CCCN, CEDP
David McClain, DC
J. Matt Storey, DC (alternate)Jill Hutter, D.C.
Staff
Executive DirectorJim Garnett
Membership Development Director
Becci McCormack
Events & Marketing DirectorStacey Bennett
www.coloradochiropractic.org
Board Meeting Dates
for locations please contact the CCA
Find Your District
Thurs., Oct. 23, 2014Thurs., Jan. 15, 2015Thurs., Mar. 12, 2015
The Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act of 2010
Senate Bill 10-124 enacts the "Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act of 2010" to extend reporting requirements to many health care professionals who apply for or renew a license, certification, or registration, on or after July 1, 2011. The Division of Registrations is in the implementation process at this time. Please refer back to www.dora.state.co.us/chiropractic/statutesrulespolicies.htm for additional information as it becomes available.
It is YOUR responsibility as a Colorado doctor of chiropractic to know, understand and adhere to the Practice Act under which you are licensed. To view the Statutes, Rules, and Board Policies for Colorado doctors of chiropractic, visit:
Colorado State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (CBCE)
Scott Smith, D.C. DABCOCraig Smith, D.C.Scott Smith D.C.Nhu Trieu, D.C.
Nelson Vetanze, D.C. CCEPGary Wiedeman, D.C.
Terry Wiley, D.C.
CCA Warchest - It is time for this profession to start building a War Chest to show that we are a strong profession and willing to fight for our rights and privileges no matter what the stakes are. The Colorado Chiropractic Association needs to build this fund TODAY. The upcoming year will be a huge challenge for our doctors. One, to preserve our rights to practice as we have become accustom and two, to allow us not only to protect what we have now, but to do what we need to become the primary care doctors of the future.
Signature: ______________________________________________________________________________Date: ________________I authorize the CC-PAC Club to initiate debit entries to my debit/credit card as specified above. This agreement will remain in affect unless I notify the CC-PAC Club in writing to cancel it.
PLEASE scan and email to [email protected] OR fax to 303-755-1010Questions? Call 800.829.0339 or 303.755.9011
Why join the club? Donating to the CC-PAC, Colorado Chiropractic Political Action Committee, is the best way to protect your patients rights and patient access to chiropractic treatment in Colorado. Your contribution will be used to support positive, pro-chiropratic contacts with state legislators.
Each Colorado legislative session fosters issues that impact doctors of chiropractic and their patients. The Colorado Chiropractic Association, CCA, keeps updated on these issues and together with our lobbyists push for a pro-chiropractic agenda. There is always a need for a well-funded PAC. Please contribute today. Thank you! (Staff, spouse, family, friends and patients can contribute too.)
The Campaign Finance Reform Act establishes rules on contributions to PACs (Political Action Committees) in Colorado. The maximum contribution an individual can make to a PAC is $550 per election cycle (every two years). For example, an election cycle is from December 2012 to December 2014. Corporate/business checks are allowed as well as checks from individual accounts. A husband and wife may make a single $800 contribution if the contribution is done from a joint checking account. Each family member may contribute with their own personal account, but only one contribution can be made from a joint account. In addition, contributions can be made directly to candidate campaigns by individuals up to $400 each two-year election cycle ($200 for the primary election and $200 for the general election). Please include your current address, profession/employer with your contributions to make it easier for the candidates to properly report.
CC-PAC Club
CC-PAC Club Contribution Pledge Form (please check one):
