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October 2007

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Chiropractic groups oppose UHC policies

A number of chiropractic organizations have joined together in an effort to oppose UnitedHealthcare policies meant to restrict chiropractic care for children and patients suffering from headaches.

A response written by the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP) was signed by representatives of the CCGPP, American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC), the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA), the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER), and the International Chiropractors Association (ICA).

The joint letter, dated Oct. 9, is directed to Robert J. Sheehy, CEO of United Healthcare. It says:

“This letter is a joint communication from the undersigned chiropractic organizations. Our organizations represent the mainstream of the chiropractic profession in the areas of professional practice, research and clinical guidelines. We write to you today in connection with the recent special bulletin pertaining to chiropractic services related to children, adolescents and headaches (United Healthcare Network Bulletin, Volume 21, September 2007). It states: ‘United Healthcare had previously concluded that certain services provided as a part of chiropractic care were unproven. A recent review of the clinical evidence in published peer-reviewed medical literature leads us to further conclude that chiropractic services for treatment of children and adolescents is unproven and services for treatment of headaches is unproven.’

“Attached is an analysis which demonstrates that the above policy is not only flawed but more importantly poses a threat to the health of children, adolescents, and those individuals suffering with headache pain who may be insured or otherwise

covered under United Healthcare programs and policies. We view your recent policy determination to be a material denial of essential benefits and coverage paid for by employers and other insureds. The broad stroke elimination of these important benefits is, in our view, not only unconscionable but is an abrogation of the promises made to cover chiropractic services to employees, individuals and their dependants.

“We note that none of our organizations were contacted or consulted in connection with your drastic and unprecedented denial of benefits to adolescents, children and those suffering with headache pain. In our opinion, this raises serious questions as to your intentions and we question to whether your motivation for the bottom line outweighs your responsibility to provide coverage for appropriate and needed healthcare services.

“We would therefore request the immediate rescission of the above-referenced policy. We offer our assistance to provide whatever input your organization may need to craft policies that are reflective of health needs of chiropractic patients under your programs. We intend to inform our patients, state and federal regulatory authorities, members of the various state legislatures, members of Congress and the public of what we view as your inappropriate and reckless action in the denial of needed healthcare benefits to adolescents, children and those suffering with headache pain under your program.

“We stand ready to engage in constructive dialog on these matters, but the first step in the process must be the immediate rescission of the policy contained in the above-referenced network bulletin.”

Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org