Keeping our 2010 corporate goals in mind, ChiroCare continues to work toward our single mission of providing leadership, support and guidance to our contracted providers. I hope this mission came to life for those who were able to attend our recent Business Development Seminar. 
 
With topics that addressed both general health care trends and others specific to the local chiropractic environment, attendees rated the value of the information presented as follows (all on a 10 point scale, 10 being the best):
            CMS Compliance: 9.3
            Building Your Practice: 8.5
            Round Table Discussion: 7.5
            Keynote Address: 7.1
                                   
In addition to the ranked scores, Dr. Eric Saugen of LeSeur, MN offered the following comment: "Best ChiroCare seminar I ever attended." 
 
One of the most exciting parts of the seminar included a review of the marketing campaign being developed to better support your personal business growth. The campaign focuses on public education designed to change negative perceptions about chiropractic, much of which are based on inaccuracies and ignorance. To learn more about this exciting initiative, including formal objectives, strategies (including sample materials) and a target timeline, log on to www.chirocaremn.org/HealingIsBelieving and enter a username of "healing" and the password "isbelieving".
 
Based on other comments from attendees, topics likely to be covered in future seminars and/or communication initiatives include the implementation and utilization of electronic medical records, electronic billing details, patient management tips and updates on the marketing tools being developed specifically for ChiroCare's contracted providers.
 
In addition to the successful coordination of the Business Seminar, other quality-focused initiatives are moving forward.
 
In August, ChiroCare expanded a pilot related to the National Committee For Quality Assurance (NCQA) Back Pain Recognition Program (BPRP), i.e. Low Back Pain Accreditation Program.  Four members of ChiroCare's Advisory Committee joined the pilot group by applying ChiroCare's tools to the rigorous data collection process in their office. With feedback collected from all pilot participants, ChiroCare will improve the drafted tools, allowing ChiroCare to better support the full network when the tools are rolled out in 2011. ChiroCare is focusing efforts on this program because of the high level of respect that health plans and other organizations place on NCQA accreditation. To review details regarding the NCQA program, click here. To view  the American Chiropractic Association's overview of this program, click here.
 
As ChiroCare took a long hard look at its business strategy in early 2010, it made a commitment to seek out new business opportunities that align with its mission, vision and values, all of which are centered around increasing the value we bring to you - our contracted network providers. On September 1, 2010, we rolled out a new program that can help increase your patient traffic. The new HealthPartners Workers' Compensation network through ChiroCare provides chiropractic access to 60,000 eligible employees. Providers who treat patients through this program are paid 100 percent of the fee schedule amounts established by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). Participation in this network requires execution of a contract addendum but is available to all ChiroCare providers who are contracted for the standard HealthPartners medical program. For additional information on this program, and a copy of the applicable contract addendum, please visit www.chirocaremn.org. 
 
Currently, we are preparing to roll out our annual provider and patient satisfaction survey on Monday, October 11th. We hope that through recent communications, and the publication of our 2010 corporate goals, you recognize the vital role your feedback plays in our strategic planning process. While we fully understand the many demands on your time, we need everyone's voice to be shared so we can continue to focus our efforts in areas that matter the most to you.
 
Please know that all our efforts are dedicated to improving the service we provide to you and other contracted providers.