August 2007

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MAC wins big in fight against discrimination

The Michigan Association of Chiropractors (MAC) recently secured two critical, hard-fought victories against health plans that discriminate against doctors of chiropractic and their patients.

“These wins send a very strong message to Michigan insurers,” said MAC President Kirk Steketee, DC. “Doctors of chiropractic will continue to fight for our right to practice and the rights of our patients to receive chiropractic treatment.”

In early July, Michigan Insurance Commissioner Linda Watters declared Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s (BCBSM) Healthy Blue insurance options unlawful and ordered BCBSM to withdraw them from the market. The Healthy Blue policies excluded doctors of chiropractic from performing physical medicine modalities and other services within Michigan’s chiropractic scope of practice.

This victory comes on the heels of negotiations with Priority Health, which resulted in a positive proposal for future Priority Health policy language. Priority

The new policy language would allow for 30 physical, occupational, chiropractic, and osteopathic visits (to be called “physical medicine procedures”); 30 speech therapy visits; and 30 combined cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation visits. These benefits would be available in all Priority Health policies (PPO, HMO), and riders would be available for additional coverage (visits). Evaluation and management services and x-rays would not be limited by the 30 procedures, and chiropractic services would not require a referral or pre-authorization.

Priority Health also asked for MAC assistance with all aspects of utilization review, and the possibility of joining together for a future study is being discussed.

Source: Michigan Association of Chiropractors, www.chiromi.com

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