issue-02-2017 Archives - Chiropractic Economics

How to deal with problematic chiropractic patients

Mark E. Battersby February 21, 2017

Money Management | The lot of a doctor of chiropractic is not an easy one. On one hand, it doesn’t take many non-paying patients to create trouble for a cash-based practice. But then, an insurance-based practice—or even a blended practice— must be concerned not only with the financial situation of patients but also with third-party payers. There are always patients who disappear and providers who go out of business. In these cases, it is often too late to collect anything.

Understand billing and coding for wellness care

Marty Kotlar, DC February 20, 2017

Coding Keys | Q: Do insurance companies pay for wellness care? A: Yes, some carriers pay for wellness exams and preventive medicine services. Learn the key codes and descriptions. Initial comprehensive preventive medicine evaluation and management of an individual, including an age- and gender-appropriate history, examination, counseling, anticipatory guidance and risk-factor reduction interventions, and the ordering of laboratory and diagnostic procedures, for a new patient.

Digital marketing: Are you getting left behind?

Bryan Hawley February 17, 2017

Marketing Matters | To be a successful chiropractor, you must understand the importance of digital marketing. This can take your practice to a new level. However, understanding the importance of marketing and understanding how to market are vastly different things. Good marketing takes some skill and also a little luck. But because luck has been said to favor the prepared, a look at some of the marketing strategies that are leading the pack.

Designing the optimal office for your chiropractic practice

Barry Poskanzer February 16, 2017

Practice Central | Whether you are building a new office or reconfiguring your existing space, thoughtful design is essential to the success of your chiropractic practice. Investing time and care in planning your new space goes a long way toward ensuring it provides comfort for patients, maximizes the quality of care, and supports the needs of your practice. One important step to consider i is partnering with an architect who has expertise in designing healthcare facilities.

Ignorance is not an excuse: Don’t violate Stark laws

Stephanie Higashi, DC February 15, 2017

Practice Central | People become chiropractors so they can help others. The funny thing is that some totally acceptable business practices for gaining new customers and generating revenue are prohibited in many healthcare settings. In some industries, for example, it is legal to reward those who refer business to you; however, in federal healthcare programs, paying for referrals is illegal. The major rules and regulations applying to multidisciplinary practices include anti-kickback and Stark laws.

The DCs role in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Louis Miller February 9, 2017

Research Results | The new normal at most chiropractic practices is watching patients suffer from chronic illnesses worsened by diets that are high in sugar and saturated fat, and low in plant-based nutrients and fiber. These characteristics are typical of today’s fast-food-centered Western diet. An excellent film to recommend to these patients is Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me. During the film, Spurlock decides to spend a month consuming only McDonald’s menu items—the gold standard for processed food that is unfortunately part of the standard American diet.

Tailoring your marketing message to your target audience

Rick Lehtinen February 7, 2017

Feature | The digital divide is real, and if you are trying to grow your chiropractic practice without awareness of it, you may experience frustration. That’s because only part of your marketing efforts are spent on reaching people The other parts are going unheard. Or perhaps more accurately, are unhearable. Information today is everywhere. Hundreds of outlets blast information and newsonto desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Today the challenge is to filter out what you want from an avalanche of data.