Arizona Chiropractic Society eNewsletter

Breaking News      

April 6, 2011Newsletter Subtitle

Month Year
ACS Members benefiting from major additions to ACS webpage 
 

The first change has been a flow of new patients from the ACS search engine. Then there is the Auto Accident Medical Legal page which is a virtual PI low speed impact course specific to Arizona. Then check out the 58 very special member benefit documents, services and products, and  you will see that ACS membership more than pays for itself. 

 

To gain full access to all pages and documents, all you have to do is join or log in if you are a member. Join today and streamline your practice while supporting our lawsuit to restore insurance equality. It's as easy as clicking a button on the webpage which directs you to a secure online server. You can also donate in any amount to support the cause. Even $10-$25 per month makes a difference.

 

Members can always contact Dr. Immerman for the most current information and for personal assistance. Dr. Immerman does not see patients and works for ACS members full time. He has been licensed since 1980, practiced full time for 20 years, and has been President and Executive Director of ACS since its inception in 1991. Dr. Immerman is here to help you today. Just send an email to [email protected] or call (602) 368-9496.




Quick Links

Read entire full color PDF with breaking news about the ADOI lawsuit, BCBS, ASH, the Board, insurance equality and much more by clicking on this link.

Website with Full Info about ACS Attorney David Abney

ACS Four Point Plan to Deal With ASH




The Arizona Chiropractic Society is here to serve you!

ARIZONA
CHIROPRACTIC
SOCIETY
 
ACS Logo


3515 E. Carol Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85028
VOICE 602.368.9496
FAX 866.567.6762

[email protected]

 

Alan M. Immerman, D.C., ACS President and Executive Director
Alan M. Immerman, D.C., ACS President and Executive Director
ARIZONA REPUBLIC PUBLISHES FRONT PAGE ARTICLE ABOUT ADOI LAWSUIT 

 

The Arizona Republic today published a front page article about the ACS lawsuit filed against ADOI to gain enforcement of the chiropractic insurance equality law. Here is the link to the article:  http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/04/06/20110406arizona-chiropractors-insurance-companies-scrutiny.html. This link will only be active for one week. After that time, you will be able to access the article on the ACS webpage at www.AZChiropractors.org.

 

The entire purpose of this lawsuit is to restore health insurance coverage for chiropractic in Arizona. Funding of this lawsuit is required for success. If you are not already a member helping with funding, join by going to www.AZChiropractors.org and clicking on the Become a Member Online in the upper left corner of every page, or donate any amount by clicking on the Donate Today Online! button also in the upper left corner of every page. If you cannot afford the full $100 per month, even $25 per month from each Arizona chiropractor would make a huge difference.

THE MEDICAL LOSS RATIO (MLR) LAW AND HOW ASH IS DOOMED

 

     The Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Law was passed as part of national health care reform and went into effect January 1, 2011. It prohibits health plans from spending more than 15% of revenues on administration, overhead and profit. If they do so, they will be penalized and fined, and they will be ordered to issue refunds.

 

     According to the most recent financial reports filed with the California Department of Managed Health Care, ASH spends close to 50% of revenues on administration, overhead and profit. This is illegal under the MLR. The federal government is just beginning to create its department to receive complaints. However, states are empowered to investigate potential violations of the MLR and report to the federal government.

 

     ACS contacted the Arizona Department of Insurance (ADOI) and requested they investigate the ASH medical loss ratio. They declined and deferred to the federal government. Therefore, ACS has filed complaints with the California Department of Managed Care requesting an investigation into ASH since Anthem BCBS in California uses ASH as its agent just as Arizona BCBS uses ASH. ACS will report the response from California which is far more active in protecting consumers than ADOI. ACS will pursue enforcement of the MLR in regard to ASH until it is fully enforced including filing complaints directly with the federal government. This itself may unravel the operations of ASH.

 

     To learn about the MLR, here are some resources. Click here http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/medical_loss_ratio.html for general information for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about the MLR. Click here and here for two general articles about the MLR that explain the law in clear and easy to understand language. ASH may be unable to operate with the MLR enforced.

 

Note: All web links above are active in this online article at  

http://www.azchiropractors.org/pages/HEALTH-INSURANCE-LAWS,-ISSUES-AND-LITIGATION.php.

 

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

 

     Litigation is expensive but without it there is no hope of restoring insurance equality. We know that right now your cash flow is decreased because of current tactics by insurance companies. The only hope of reversing the status quo is to gain enforcement of our excellent insurance equality law. The only way to accomplish this goal is to get a judge to order ADOI to enforce the law. This takes a lawsuit which means lawyers and money.

     Be smart and invest in this lawsuit to restore health insurance coverage for chiropractic. There are multiple ways to help. You can either join as a member or donate in any amount by going to www.AZChiropractor.organd clicking on the Become a Member Online or Donate Today Online! buttons in the upper left corner of every page. You will be directed to our online secure server for your transaction. Act today and safeguard your future. This lawsuit is literally your only hope. Even $25 to $50 per month donations are meaningful and there is no doctor in Arizona that cannot afford this amount. Everyone needs to participate in this effort in order for us to have a chance at winning. It's  now or never. This is truly D-Day for chiropractic in Arizona.