April 2001

Survey Says Managed Care Decreases Quality

ARLINGTON, VA. - Doctors of chiropractic report that managed care's tightening grip on the nation's health care system has decreased the quality of care they are able to deliver to their patients, according to a recent American Chiropractic Association (ACA) survey.

The survey indicates the majority of doctors of chiropractic participate in managed care programs. 59% of the doctors who responded report that involvement in managed care has decreased the average frequency of patient contact. 24% of respondents feel that being involved in managed care has decreased the average amount of time they are able to spend with patients during each visit, and 41% report that managed care has decreased the quality of care they are able to provide.

"Many of the cost-cutting measures being carried out by managed care plans across the nation are hurting patients," said ACA president Dr. James A. Mertz. "Now is the time for real managed care reform. Health-care consumers across the country have been subjected far too long to denial of much-needed care, and the ACA's latest survey underscores this disturbing trend."

The survey also showed:

* Doctors of chiropractic referred over 27% of their patients to other providers, including 16% to medical doctors, 2.7% to physical therapists, and 3.7% to alternative medicine practitioners.

* Doctors of chiropractic reported that approximately 12% of their patients were under the age of 16. The largest group of patients - 37% -- was in the 17-to-44 age group, with the 45-64-year-old group encompassing 34% of patients. 18% of patients re over the age of 65.

The survey was conducted over the first six months of the year 2000. The survey was sent to a randomly selected sample of 4,000 ACA members and1,000 non-members. An overall response rate of 30% was achieved.

For more information on the survey, or for a copy of the survey summary, call the ACA's Office of Professional Development and Research at 800-986-4636.

Source: American Chiropractic Association

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