October 2007

UHC issues stay on children and headaches policy

UnitedHealthcare (UHC) has issued a stay on its policy restricting chiropractic care for adolescents, children, and patients with headaches — pending additional review. 

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is hailing the change in UHC’s position as an example of the type of progress that can be achieved when the profession unites behind a single cause.

During an Oct. 25 meeting with members of the ACN Group Chiropractic Professional Advisory Council (CPAC), UHC Senior Medical Policy Director Dr. Richard Justman reportedly apologized for the way in which the policy was developed and called for it to be put on hold and reviewed immediately.

Justman has asked that a collaborative review of the literature be done in conjunction with ACN Group and important stakeholders in the chiropractic profession. The review must be completed and submitted within 90 days. 

“UHC’s decision to review this policy is a victory for millions of chiropractic patients — young and old — who rely on chiropractic care to keep them well,” announced ACA President Glenn Manceaux, DC. “The profession made it clear to UHC that this policy was harmful to the patients we serve and an insult to the chiropractic profession. The ACA is proud to have led this effort, which serves as a very important reminder that there is strength in numbers. When all corners of the profession work together with a single vision and a single voice, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.”

In response to UHC’s call for a review of the literature, chiropractic organizations are being asked to submit pertinent peer-reviewed and published research to Dr. David Elton, ACN’s senior vice president of clinical products, at: OptumHealth, 6300 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427.

Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org

Industry News from:
Chiropractic News from: