Welcome to Issue 3, which explores the latest documentation and coding best practices from the chiropractic industry’s top thought leaders.
In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, it is essential for DCs to stay updated because accurate coding and thorough documentation are critical for getting proper reimbursement, complying with regulations and avoiding audits. On a higher level, these practices ultimately play a significant role in enhancing patient care and maintaining your professional integrity.
Put in good data, get good results
Health plans, state scope-of-practice laws and standard practice acts require your diagnoses to be valid, compatible with your procedure codes and well-documented; therefore, you must ensure your services are deemed reasonable and justifiable. That means keeping up with ICD-10 coding changes. Marty Kotlar, DC, explores everything you need to know to stay abreast of the new 2025 ICD-10 codes for chiropractic.
Selecting an electronic health record (EHR) system is an important task that requires sharp instincts to ensure you meet the specific needs of your practice, whether it is solo or multidisciplinary. “Maintaining efficiency and high-quality patient care must remain your top priority when it comes to your practice,” writes Nadine Brunet. Her article explores how you can enhance patient care by integrating EHR proven solutions using real-time data. “These integrations facilitate better decision- making, streamline workflows and ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes.”
Proper documentation and coding of kinetic chain disruptions are critical for effective patient care, communication with other healthcare providers and ensuring accurate billing and insurance claims. In his article, Mario Fucinari, DC, explains that through careful diagnosis and individualized treatment plans, you can help improve patients’ lives by focusing on the root causes of their health concerns and getting your point across clearly via your documentation. “Holistic care must also include ‘holistic documentation and coding’ to improve communication with insurance carriers, governing bodies and our peers.”
Finding your way through Medicare’s documentation requirements can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to, according to Mark Sanna, DC. “By understanding the guidelines and implementing a solid system, you can ensure your practice remains compliant, protects itself from audits and gets reimbursed for the care you provide.”
Practice management
“Chiropractic practice sales have been booming for years,” says Crystal Misenheimer. However, as new institutional buyers continue to enter the chiropractic market, you will be faced with both opportunities and challenges to consider. “Whether the goal is to capitalize on sale opportunities or maintain independence, strategic planning is critical in this evolving chiropractic sales market.”
How important is nutrition coaching in chiropractic care? Where does nutritional testing fit into your practice? Find these answers in my interview with two holistic healthcare experts, Marty Furlong, DC, and Jackie Furlong. The discussion explores how by integrating nutrition coaching and testing into your practice, you can help more patients and grow your practice.
Website optimization
A well-optimized website is key to making sure your practice stands out from the competition. According to Mike Falkow, “if you take the time to optimize your website for search engines, it will pay off in increased brand visibility, more new patients and a thriving practice.” His article explores how you can improve your clinic’s visibility on search engines, meet the needs of mobile search users and ensure your website appears in voice search results and featured snippets.
Final thoughts
Everything in the chiropractic world seems to move at a fast pace, and keeping up can be a challenge. I hope the articles in this issue provide valuable insights and practical strategies to help you grow your practice and attract more patients.
To your health, prosperity and success!
GLORIA N. HALL
Editor-in-Chief
