Driven by rising health care costs, the constant barrage of new research knowledge and the increasing integration of technology, the way in which all health care providers take care of patients in this country--in this world--is changing rapidly. This evolving health care environment means that, while we remain steadfast at the core of who we are and what we do stand for as a chiropractic profession, expectations regarding some of the ways in which we practice are beginning to change.

Every year, articles are written about tactics to employ and take advantage of before year-end to save on taxes. However, the year 2017 is unique in that tax reform is being proposed right now…and will possibly be passed before the end of the year. The proposed tax plan recently released has a host of changes that, of course, makes some happy and others irate. As characteristic of proposed legislation, the initial release is just that: a starting point for discussion and debate. The final law, if it were to pass, will undergo changes both overtly and covertly via horse-trading in backroom deals and compromise.

ACA’s annual meeting, the National Chiropractic Leadership Conference (NCLC), is packed with great educational content and world-class presenters. Join us Feb. 28-March 3, 2018, in Washington, D.C., to hear from some of the profession’s most compelling thought leaders. Here we pose several questions to one of our featured speakers:  James Lehman, DC, MBA, who will be participating in a panel discussion on "Models of Integrated Practice."

The #MeToo stories that have flooded social media in recent weeks have initiated a much-needed conversation across the country, a conversation that illustrates the very different experiences that men and women can have in male-dominated professions. In her latest blog post, ACA Senior Scientific Advisor Christine Goertz, DC, PhD, notes that, as one of a very small handful of women who has served in chiropractic leadership roles since she was a student, she has had a great deal of experience navigating the awkward and sometimes very uncomfortable waters generated by gender bias. 

"It's the most wonderful time of the year...." As it is fast approaching, you might think of Christmas, or even Thanksgiving, when you hear this phrase, but I am referring to the National Chiropractic Leadership Conference (NCLC)! There is simply no other event like it. NCLC 2018 will be my 5th NCLC and my second as a doctor, and it truly is my favorite time of the year! I consider it an honor to attend this event and I have met some of my closest friends while attending. I’d like to share my insights into the event and my take on its’ importance.

In late October, three of the five chiropractic residents within the Veterans Administration (VA) health care system attended the North American Spine Society’s (NASS) annual symposium in Orlando, Fla.  Rachel Mooers from Los Angeles, Stephanie Halloran from West Haven, Conn., and I spent four days immersing ourselves in spine care from a (mostly) different perspective.

*Member-Exclusive Content* Chiropractors treating veterans via programs administered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) were notified recently that they should enroll in a new chiropractic referral network to continue participating in the VA’s Community Care Network (CCN). In its letter to chiropractors, contractor TriWest Healthcare Alliance explained that providers who wish to participate in the “new” Community Care Network must enroll in EmpowerChiro, a chiropractic referral network administered under TriWest. Referrals, appointment scheduling, documentation, claims, codes and reimbursement were also briefly touched upon--leading to questions this blog post seeks to answer.

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The 14th Annual SACA Leadership Conference (LC) was held at Logan University in Chesterfield Mo., Sept. 29 through Oct. 1. The theme for this extraordinary event was “Building Bridges Through Leadership.” Students left the conference with a deeper understanding of the importance of continued involvement in ACA and a better grasp of the association’s new direction.