CONSULTANT ARTICLES
CMS Announces New Identification Card
Identity theft among seniors has become a significant problem. Social security numbers, license numbers and bank account numbers should be guarded and not released unless you definitively know who is viewing this information. Then why do the Medicare Health Insurance...
September is Drug-Free Pain Management Awareness Month
The opioid crisis has hit a new record high in the United States with deaths estimated at 65,000 in 2016. In response to this crisis and in an effort to help consumers choose chiropractic care as the first-line option for drug-free pain management, the Foundation for...
Billing & Coding for MULTIPLE Extremity Adjustments
Question: Dr. Kotlar, “I treat a lot of extremity conditions. On some patients, I will adjust multiple extremities. Example, a rotator cuff strain, golfers elbow and iliotibial band all on one visit. How do I compliantly code and bill for this? Answer:...
Lessons Learned from Medicare Audit Results
Recent studies released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) have resulted in increased scrutiny of chiropractic services. This scrutiny includes audits by the Medicare Administrative Carriers, independent contractors such as Strategic Health Solutions, and most...
The Coming Consolidation in Chiropractic
Make no mistake, the future of chiropractic looks quite different from what you likely expect. In fact, massive changes are already being made and the rate of change is only going to accelerate, leading to a very different landscape in our great profession. This...
Moments of Truth
You have just given a new patient a report of findings and your recommendations. You expected to hear a sigh of relief and thankfulness from the individual sitting across from you, but instead, you are confronted by crossed arms and the scowl of skepticism. We’ve all...
Opioid Use, Misuse and Abuse Positions Drug-Free Pain Management in National Dialogue
In 2016, the U.S. officially awakened to a crisis with respect to the use and abuse of legal and illegal opioid products. You may think the term “crisis” represents a degree of hyperbole, but when you realize 91 Americans die every day as a result of prescription...
Billing & Coding for Extremity Adjustments
Question: Dr. Kotlar, I’ve been doing chiropractic extra-spinal manipulation on my patients, however, I do not know how to bill insurance for this service. Can you help? Answer: Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) is a form of manual treatment to influence...
Weight Loss Is Not an Option
Providing patients with a weight-loss program is a natural in a chiropractic practice. As chiropractors, we are well aware of the detrimental effects on the spine and joints that result from carrying extra weight. If we desire to approach health from a holistic...
Rebel with a Clause: The Compliant Chiropractor
If you are or know a chiropractor, odds are good that one of the last words that comes to mind is “compliant.” Most DCs didn’t go to chiropractic college because they’re big on being joiners and obedient rule-followers. In fact, hang around chiropractors long enough...
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Cultivate Medical Referrals
Physician-referred patients are a source of pride for the fortunate practices that receive them. A physician's referral is a strong endorsement. A base of referring physicians can generate large numbers of new patients, proliferate and if done properly, be...
ICD-10 Changes Go into Effect Paving the Way for the Alternative Payment Model
Under the direction of the Medicare Access and Chip Re-Authorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services has made plans to implement a quality payment program that pays healthcare providers for the quality of their work, not the...