Congress Takes on the Medicare Fee Schedule
The American Chiropractic Association and other members of the Patients' Access to Responsible Care Alliance (PARCA) are hailing new legislation that would permanently repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula used by Medicare to determine annual health care provider reimbursement rates.
"ACA is committed to supporting S. 1776, and any other legislation that addresses problems associated with the flawed SGR formula," said Dr. Rick McMichael, president of the ACA. "Health care services to our nation's Medicare beneficiaries should not be undervalued."
For the past seven years, Congress has voted at essentially the 11th hour to overturn proposed fee cuts based on the SGR formula. For example, last year Congress overrode a presidential veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331), a provision of which continued the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule at its current rate through the end of 2008 (rather than the 10.6 percent cut that would have gone into effect in July 2008) and granted an additional 1.1 percent positive update for 2009. That legislation also extended the Physician Quality Reporting Improvement Initiative (PQRI) for two years and increased PQRI incentive payment updates to 1.5 percent for the remainder of 2008, and to 2 percent for 2009-2010.
CBCN Grandfathering Period Extended Until February 2010
The recently established Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition (CBCN) has extended its deadline for grandfathering eligible doctors of chiropractic as diplomates of the board following approval by the ACA House of Delegates. The new deadline is Feb. 3, 2010.
The CBCN was created and operates under the auspices of the ACA, with full autonomy relative to testing standards and procedures. For complete grandfathering criteria, read "ACA Announces Formation of Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition" in the June 22, 2009 issue of DC. To learn more about the CBCN, visit www.cbcn.us, which features board bylaws, frequently asked questions and access to the grandfathering application.
Life West Partners With U.C. Berkeley Extension
The University of California at Berkeley Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program is utilizing Life Chiropractic College West's anatomy facilities as part of the university's human anatomy laboratory course. Berkeley students enrolled in the anatomy course use the Life West labs during evening and/or weekend hours when the facilities are not being used by chiropractic students.
"We are excited to work with such a prestigious program as U.C. Berkeley Extension," said Dr. Joseph Ferguson, dean of Life West. "By offering exceptional facilities and ample support and cooperation, we aim to create a productive environment for their students to excel. It is our hope to build upon this relationship and offer additional classes over time."
Hygenic CEO Named to FCP Board of Directors
Marshall Dahneke, CEO and president of the Hygenic Corporation, is the newest member of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress Board of Directors. With his appointment, Dahneke joins a foundation board that includes, among others, Dr. Gerry Clum, president of Life Chiropractic College West; Dr. Mark Zeigler, president of Northwestern Health Sciences University; Don Petersen Jr., president/publisher of Dynamic Chiropractic; Dr. Mark Sanna, president of Breakthrough Coaching; Dr. Bob Hoffman, president of The Masters Circle; and Charles DuBois, president of Standard Process. Chairing the board is Kent Greenawalt, president of Foot Levelers, who established the foundation.
WFC Announces Its Newest Corporate Associate Member
Nearly 80 chiropractic vendors and organizations currently support the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) as corporate associate members, with The Vitality Depot the latest to join the ranks at the bronze level. The Roanoke, Va.-based company, headed by Mark Mandell, DC, made the commitment earlier this year at the Florida Chiropractic Association's national convention in Orlando.
To view the complete list of corporate and individual associate members, visit www.wfc.org and click the Associate Members icon.