WELCOME TO THE PENNSYLVANIA CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION!
YOUR PCA is working for you in Harrisburg and on Capitol Hill!
September 14, 2021
As previously stated in the communications sent to members in February 2021, which was also distributed to the Office of Governor Tom Wolf, PA General Assembly Members, and PA Congressional Delegation.
PCA Statement on Patient Choice
The Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association (PCA) supports the Pennsylvania health care consumers’ rights regarding their own health and well-being regardless of age, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental challenges, or sources of payment.
The health and well-being of the health care consumer depends primarily on a collaborative effort between the patient and the health care provider. Therefore, all individuals have the right to receive understandable information about their diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, as well as the right to make informed decisions regarding their plan of care, course of treatment, and other important decisions for themselves and their families.
Since health care procedures and services often involve varying degrees of risk, it is essential that patients educate themselves with information about specific procedures and treatments and alternatives to existing treatments.
The Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association opposes mandated or compulsory medical procedures of any kind, as they infringe on the individual's ability to exercise the right to freedom of choice in personal health care decisions.
The Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association also supports other basic rights of the patient, such as a patient’s choice of providers and insurance plans. Any willing provider should have the ability to participate in health insurance plans. All patients should have access to emergency services, taking an active and leading role in their personal treatment decisions, the right to privacy and confidentiality, as well as considerate and respectful care from healthcare providers.
PCA has taken actions regarding this issue. Now it’s YOUR turn to make your position known:
US Senator: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
US Congressperson: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Governor Tom Wolf: https://www.governor.pa.gov/contact/
PA Senator: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/mbrList.cfm?body=S
PA Representative: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/mbrList.cfm?body=H
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New Provider Relief Funding Available
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is announcing $25.5 billion in new funding for health care providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding includes $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) resources for providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Medicare patients, and an additional $17 billion for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 for a broad range of providers who can document revenue loss and expenses associated with the pandemic.
Get Ready to Apply! The application will open on September 29, 2021.
Click Here to Learn More!!!
HHS/ CMS to mandate that Medicare & Medicaid facilities have COVID vaccine
HHS/CMS has not yet issued its final rule and it is unclear if chiropractors will be required to be vaccinated, but PCA will continue to disseminate information as it becomes available. The Interim Final Rule is to be published in October (with 30-day comment period).
Help Us to Diversify Chiropractic With Our Scholarships!
To make your donation online (or to request an invoice to be paid by mail), please click below and complete the form.
Important Medicare Update
Medicare update, including FAQs to assist Doctors of Chiropractic with their Medicare issues and proper documentation:
Courtesy Victor J. Rizzo, D.C.
MASKING GUIDANCE INFORMATION
Residents in some Pennsylvania counties are being urged to wear masks again, regardless of vaccination status, this DOES NOT change the CDC recommendations for continued masking in Healthcare settings, including DC offices.
August 1, 2021
Residents in some Pennsylvania counties are being urged to wear masks again, regardless of vaccination status, due to transmission levels of COVID-19.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidelines Tuesday to urge vaccinated people in certain areas of the country to resume wearing masks because of COVID-19.The CDC said people in areas with high or substantial COVID-19 transmission levels should resume wearing masks.
https://www.wtae.com/article/pennsylvania-covid-19-transmission-cdc-masks-july-24/37146045#
The PCA has consistently relied upon Federal and Pennsylvania mandates, guidance and recommendations for COVID-related matters. As of June 28, 2021, Pennsylvania will remove the masking requirements. The PCA sought clarification directly from the Pennsylvania Department of Health as to whether this lifting of the mask mandate applies to chiropractors and other health care providers.
Following is the response to PCA’s “mask guidance” question from Dr. Wendy E. Braund, COVID-19 Response Director for the PA DOH:
“Even though the statewide mask mandate will be lifted on June 28, DOH will continue to strongly recommend that healthcare providers follow CDC guidance, which includes the use of PPE by healthcare personnel in healthcare settings.”
Wendy E. Braund, MD, MPH, MSEd, FACPM
COVID-19 Response Director
Pennsylvania Department of Health
As of today, the CDC guidance for use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, has remained unchanged. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-after-vaccination.html#anchor_1619116662704
To access the CDC recommendations, please click on this link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html
Work search requires all Unemployment Compensation (UC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claimants to apply for two jobs and complete one work search activity every week.
Click Here to Read More
Get a POSTER for your office to promote HR2654 for Medicare
There is QR code to have patients click the link and then send a message to their Reps in seconds. WANT FULL MEDICARE ACCESS to exams x-rays therapies and to be able to help your Medicare fixed income patients to not have the out of pocket expenses or have to get their x-ray elsewhere? Well this is how you do it! Sample of 1 of 6 versions of the poster is shown, pick the one that "speaks" to you.
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Interested in Getting Involved?
PCA 2021- 2022 PRIORITY LEGISLATION:
House Bill 171 of 2021: An Act limiting restrictive covenants in health care practitioner employment agreements.
House Bill 173 of 2021: An Act amending Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in special provisions relating to particular classes of insurers, providing for nondiscrimination by payers in health care benefit plans.
House Bill 225 of 2021: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in quality health care accountability and protection, further providing for definitions, for responsibilities of managed care plans, providing for preauthorization standards and for preauthorization costs, and providing for preauthorization and adverse determinations, for appeals, for uniform preauthorization form, for preauthorization exemptions.
House Bill 325 of 2021: Advisory Opinions from Licensing Boards
House Bill 916 of 2021: An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, providing for coverage for nonopioid pain management care.
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Delegation of Therapeutic Exercise to Unlicensed Personnel (no bill # yet)
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Parity in Insurer Reimbursements (no bill # yet)
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PID Direct Oversight and Enforcement Authority of Health Insurers’ Contracted Third Party Administrators (no bill # yet)
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Working Groups are Formed! Join YOUR Colleagues! #PCAStrong
Brent Shealer, DC - Pittsburgh, PA
"I just wanted to chime in quickly and give a Special shout out to the PCA in this group. Simply put, join! Because of my membership I was recently able to reach out to leadership and get a problem resolved very quickly from the state BPOA when I was getting nowhere with them prior. Also, I've been able to stay on top of a lot of the nonsense that is happening with UPMC/AMI right now among other important issues in changes over the years. For example, there also working on problems with how terrible Aetna is, meeting with Congressman trying to get equal pay for Chiro's that MD's get paid for the same service (EM codes for example), and still working on the problem with doc's having to direct supervise therapy and rehab.
I see it said on here often, "does PCA know about this and" or "what is the PCA doing about this" regarding issues. Well, yeah, they do, and frankly for the cost of one adjustment a month ($50) You can be a member and see your answer to those questions yourself, amongst many other discussion points while being informed. They can't solve every problem, but they do try and work hard on your behalf, member or not. So why not support them? A stronger State association, with more members, carries a lot more weight in matters. Thanks!"
Jeff Snyder, DC - Phoenixville, PA
"The PCA is an absolute for any doctor of chiropractic in the Commonwealth of PA. We know membership is essential in order to have strength in numbers when dealing with issues pertaining to practice and public health issues where we can make a huge impact. The PCA has our back and the backs of the consumer (no pun intended). As a practicing chiropractor, the membership fee is a NO BRAINER! Why would you, as a chiropractor, practice without the largest state association in your back pocket, on speed-dial, so you can manage the issues that come up day to day in practice.
The staff at the home office has never been better. Our executive vice president is cordial, respectful, and a true leader who has years of experience which has helped the association greatly over the past number of years.
I'm thankful for the PCA and what we as an association have accomplished to protect the rights of chiropractors to practice as well as protecting the health of individuals throughout our state."
The staff at the home office has never been better. Our executive vice president is cordial, respectful, and a true leader who has years of experience which has helped the association greatly over the past number of years.
I'm thankful for the PCA and what we as an association have accomplished to protect the rights of chiropractors to practice as well as protecting the health of individuals throughout our state."
Ed Kropf, DC - Pittsburgh, PA
"As a PCA member over 31 years I have been a distant observer of Chiropractic in our state as well as the several factions of philosophy practiced here. As so far as the PCA is viewed, I feel the current system in place is providing the best communication with it's members. PCA has put into place several terrific members and administration that take on the problems from many fronts, report and attempt to correct/improve the position for the future of Chiropractic in our state.
Good job, you all are doing things so very much better, keep it up!!!"
Jeffrey Sklar, DC - Philadelphia, PA
"In full disclosure, I have been a district director for the PCA for the last 2-3 years. However, I have been a member my entire career. The current leadership of the PCA has more passion and commitment toward protecting all PA chiropractors right to practice and patient accessibility than I have ever experienced. Whether you are a member or not, you have been benefiting from all the efforts of volunteer board members and PCA associates from lobbying to legal.
The level of responsiveness from any direct inquires to the Execs or affiliates(legal, political) has always been unparalleled with Ed Nielson as Executive Director. Whether you are a member or not, you have benefited from battles won by the PCA that may have never crossed your front steps.
The PCA has been a major contributor to my success in practicing in Pennsylvania. I am grateful to serve and more grateful to have such selfless colleagues that freely donate hours and hours of their time for our benefit as Pennsylvania DCs!"
The level of responsiveness from any direct inquires to the Execs or affiliates(legal, political) has always been unparalleled with Ed Nielson as Executive Director. Whether you are a member or not, you have benefited from battles won by the PCA that may have never crossed your front steps.
The PCA has been a major contributor to my success in practicing in Pennsylvania. I am grateful to serve and more grateful to have such selfless colleagues that freely donate hours and hours of their time for our benefit as Pennsylvania DCs!"
Ladeluca Chiropractic
"The PCA helps chiropractors and I have found they are professional and very reliable. I can call them with specific questions and if they cannot answer then they refer me to the right person."
“I am a retired doctor, who was hit with a $17,000 recoupment request from a Pennsylvania health insurer, TWO years after I retired. As a retired-status member, I immediately contacted the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association. PCA’s staff were responsive and very helpful, including referring me to Mr. Jason Martin, PCA’s General Counsel, for a free legal consultation.
After talking at some length with Mr. Martin, he assisted me with the audit and provided very solid advice. I followed his advice and I was able to resolve the audit with the health insurer without any payment on my part. I am thrilled with the supportI was given by PCA staff and General Counsel Martin’s legal advice.
Thanks to my membership in PCA, I received very responsive and immediate support for my problem. Most importantly, my membership in PCA saved me $17,000of my hard-earned money! Thank you, PCA!”
Lori Kalie, DC - Lancaster, PA
"I actually sold my practice. About two hours after you posted the ad, I got a call from a doctor who was interested. He officially took over today. I received quite a number of calls about the practice since the ad was up. The service you provide is valuable, and I just wanted to thank you and the PCA for offering this service."
Brian Meenan, DC - Pittsburgh, PA
"I just started my own practice a couple of months ago. $600 is a bit steep but it is worth it! Charge me monthly, that’d be great."
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