Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a final rule regarding health insurance provisions related to the 2010 Affordable Care Act (Act).  Among the myriad of provisions contained in the rule were several that could have an impact on chiropractic coverage.  With the rule designed to give more power to the states in determining plan structure, chiropractic state associations will need to be vigilant in monitoring state action, especially the rule’s impact on states now being able to develop essential health benefits for plans that fall under the Act’s umbrella.

*Member-Exclusive Content* The United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) developed in 2011 as a continuation of the work of the United States Bone and Joint Decade, which began in 2002. The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) was an original founding member of the United States Bone and Joint Decade and has held a seat on the board since the beginning. USBJI’s mission is to advocate for and promote multidisciplinary, coordinated and patient-centered care to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. To that end, it has launched a number of programs to advance knowledge and improve patient care. 

To read, log into MyACA. 

The public primarily perceives the chiropractic profession as a healthcare discipline involved with the management of spine-related pain and disability. Unfortunately, the current state of spine care in the United States is dominated by specialists, who tend to function in isolation, with minimal communication between providers. While this may have been the way it has been in the past, we feel it doesn’t have to--and shouldn’t--stay this way. Regardless of the practice setting, we believe all DCs have opportunities to improve patient care by adopting a more interprofessional approach to care.