While difficult to achieve, change is often a necessary and positive thing. At ChiroCare, we believe that when we're done changing, we're done improving the way we serve you. With new executive leadership in late 2008, and the addition of several Board members in 2009, the foundation to support innovative changes that will deliver even more value to you, our network providers, is solid.

 A number of recent efforts are receiving positive reviews from our participating providers, particularly the electronic communications initiatives. Still, we know our work is never "done." We've been working with our Advisory Committee to evaluate several programs to help ensure that changes implemented will be of great benefit to you.

Based on the results of the 2009 patient and provider satisfaction surveys, personal discussions with many ChiroCare network providers, and general business trends, ChiroCare has identified corporate goals that align with our vision, mission and values. If you are not already familiar with these critical statements that drive our business decisions, I invite you to visit www.chirocaremn.org/About ChiroCare/Our Mission. 

Among our 2010 goals are the following:

·       Improve provider satisfaction in clinical and several operational areas.

·       Increase ChiroCare's strength and stability through thorough review and/or development of sound business strategies for budgets, provider compensation, communications, reports, policies, and procedures. 

·       Reduce administrative costs and use the savings achieved to directly benefit our network providers.

·       Adjust the Board committee structure to more effectively address the current and prospective health care environment.

In addition, we are very excited about our first "Business Development Summit" to be held this fall. We are in the planning stages and look forward to presenting you with the opportunity to participate in thought-provoking, collaborative discussions about the recently passed health care reform bill, the future of health care in the U.S., and other issues that affect the chiropractic community.  We will also offer several breakout sessions to give you fresh ideas for growing your business, knowledge about ChiroCare's support and services, and the various tools developed to help you and your clinic operate as efficiently as possible. If you have topic ideas or recommendations, please share those with us by sending an e-mail to Tabatha.Erck@chirocaremn.org.

Finally, as reported in ChiroCare's 2009 Annual Report, increased patient utilization and health plan contract rates, coupled with decreased administrative expenses resulted in a profitable year for ChiroCare. With the close of our fiscal year being March 31, we do not yet have final numbers but have initiated discussions to determine how the available dollars can best be used to benefit you and all of our network providers today and into the future. 

Additional details about all of these important topics will be shared in upcoming newsletters and other communications. 

The coming months and years will reveal more about the dynamic health care environment. I encourage you to get involved and make your voice heard about important topics such as the new health care legislation.

We also welcome your feedback on the ChiroCare program changes that are being rolled out. Many opportunities exist to share your thoughts and opinions:

·       Call or e-mail ChiroCare's executive team: Tabatha Erck at Tabatha.Erck@chirocaremn.org, Dr. William Barrett at wbarrettdc@chirocaremn.org and/or 651-389-2007

·       Attend provider meetings, including the Business Development Summit to be hosted by ChiroCare this fall

·       Participate on ChiroCare's Advisory Committee (access the application)

·       Attend an upcoming Lunch with the President meeting

·       Come to the ChiroCare corporate office the last Thursday of every month from 10 a.m. to  2 p.m. for our Open House

Wishing you continued success.

 Sincerely,

Bill Barrett, DC

President

"Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times."

- Niccolo Machiavelli