Chiropractors Restored to Physician Status in Major Federal Employee Plan
Posted on Oct. 30, 2009
Doctors of chiropractic have been re-designated “physicians” according to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Plan (FEP), which was identified by President Obama as a template for future health care reform. This is the result of a drastic effort by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). A previous shift of chiropractors from “physicians” to “other health care providers” in the FEP took place in January 2009, causing the ACA to take action.
Charles Sawyer, DC, senior vice president at Northwestern Health Sciences University, agrees that the ACA’s efforts are necessary for the chiropractic profession, especially since health care reform seems imminent. “It is important that chiropractors were restored to the physician status. That is what we are, and chiropractic doctors need to practice at the top of their profession,” says Dr. Sawyer. “Patients need to be able to come directly to us, not jump through hoops to see a chiropractor.”
The American Chiropractic Association is taking strides to guarantee the public easy access to chiropractic health care. The ACA recently partnered with Gephardt Government Affairs to ensure that any national health care reform legislation passed by congress places chiropractors on the same level as other doctors in terms of access, reimbursement and scope of practice.
The American Chiropractic Association has also launched the Chiropractic Health Advocacy and Mobilization Project (CHAMP) that specifically seeks to boost chiropractic’s profile on Capitol Hill before the passage of a new health care bill. The one-year campaign will raise funds to support strategic lobbying.
Dr. Sawyer emphasizes that Northwestern students are directly affected by the ACA’s legislative efforts. “It is not just about those who are currently in the profession; it is also about those who will be practicing in the future,” Dr. Sawyer says. “At Northwestern, we are always working on behalf of the students and alumni. It is our obligation because we are training men and women to go into practice.”
Northwestern strives to prepare students to successfully enter and improve the chiropractic profession. Dr. Sawyer stresses that they are not only trained to provide care but also to refer patients to other physicians if necessary. “It’s about getting the patients to the best doctors who can meet their needs. This will make health care more efficient,” says Dr. Sawyer. “Truthfully, health care professionals will be the ones to institute the real change.”