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information to members of the Chiropractic Association of British
Columbia since 1989
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First Quarter 2002
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President's Message - Dr. Brian Arthur
Since last December, the BCCA Board has been working diligently on behalf of its members to address the issue of government health care cuts. These efforts have included attendance at membership and government meetings, involvement in teleconference calls, and participation in over 20 radio and television interviews with various media. In addition, the Board has drafted and distributed a patient petition to all BCCA members. We ask that you introduce this petition to your patients and solicit their support. Although the process of gathering signatures will take time, a groundswell of support will have greater influence on the government and public than a few caring individuals. Now that the majority of British Columbians have lost their fundamental MSP coverage, they will have to fight for their rights and benefits. As for the reinstatement of MSP benefits, it is doubtful that this will happen any time soon. Political analysts have reasoned that government spending on programs will likely not increase until vote buying begins during the next election run. By this time, the public and BCCA members may have a different view of the situation.
Since January 1st of this year, the DVA has been reimbursing patients as per the Association’s recommended fee schedule. I urge all members to adopt the Association’s recommended fee schedule, as insurance companies are now deliberating on what amount they will reimburse patients. ICBC continues to pay $22.35 on initial visits and $17.35 on subsequent visits for claimants who are not at fault (BI claim). This amount can be billed through MSP. However, if your patient is at fault (AB claim), you can no longer bill through MSP unless the patient is on income assistance. Fees for at-fault claimants who are on income assistance can be billed through MSP for up to 10 chiropractic visits. Fees for at-fault non-income assistance patients can be billed directly through ICBC at a rate of $22.35 for initial visits and $17.35 for subsequent visits. Alternatively, you may bill the patient directly for visit fees and issue a receipt so that they can be reimbursed the ICBC portion of the fee. In some instances, it may be helpful for the DC or COA to speak to the patient’s Claims Adjuster regarding the best method for reimbursement. Remember that the patient is responsible for any portion over and above the MSP amount and individuals with extended health benefits should seek reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses from their private insurer.
Several BCCA Societies have held meetings in their communities to discuss strategies for introducing fee changes to the public. It is very important that the promotional efforts of local chiropractic groups compliment the activities of the BCCA. One of the most effective promotional strategies chiropractors can execute is to band together to develop and fund advertising and promotional initiatives at the local level. Recently, a group of Courtenay-area chiropractors did exactly that. With approximately 19 chiropractors involved, the purchase of four ad insertions cost a mere $32 dollars per chiropractor. In contrast, research by the BCCA Board for placement of a one-time, full-page ad in the Vancouver Sun or Province newspapers yielded a quote of twenty thousand dollars - approximately one-fifth of our entire advertising budget. Local advertising is not only cost-effective, it can have significant impact on individuals in your community. We encourage you to get together with other chiropractors in your area to increase awareness about the benefits of chiropractic care!
The BCCA will continue to focus its advertising efforts at the provincial level. In December of last year, the College Board spent approximately $25 thousand on television advertising. The Association has run two TV advertising flights to date, one in November 2001 and one in January 2002, at a cost of $25 thousand per flight. The BCCA Board plans to review additional public information strategies following the CCA’s Provincial National Communication and President’s Committee meetings in March. Members may recall that the Alberta Association spent $500 thousand (nearly five times our annual advertising budget) on public awareness television advertisements in 2001.
For now, the public and BCCA members are feeling the negative effects of government policies and actions. However, there is a ‘palpable’ sense that the future holds positive outcomes. Why? Because BC’s chiropractic doctors deliver much-needed, quality services to British Columbians. Despite government compromises on behalf of the BCMA and Project 2000, the public will eventually benefit from a reduction in prescription drugs and surgery and improved health from chiropractic care. The Premier’s actions have generated increased awareness among insurers and health plan administrators with regard to cost and outcomes. While the BCCA has been promoting this data for many years, a surge in interest has begun. BC chiropractors remain the number one solution to spinal problems, with or without the support of insurance benefits.
Dr. Brian Arthur can be reached at barthur@bcchiro.com
BCCA Web Site Enhancements Benefit Association Members
In our continued effort to enhance the BCCA web site’s content and capabilities, our web development firm Bell Curve Marketing Communications Inc. has introduced a Member Extranet to the site. This is a password-protected area designed for BCCA members only. Here you can participate in BCCA surveys and member discussion forums online. The member discussion area is a bulletin board style format that allows you to post messages and responses related to various chiropractic-related topics, as well as read those of other members. Through ongoing interaction with BCCA members you can keep up to date on issues that affect you, your practice and your patients.
Currently posted on the Extranet is a member survey with regard to DC office billing software programs. Your participation in BCCA surveys will help us develop better policies, practices and resource tools based on the needs of our members. Passwords for the Member Extranet are distributed by the BCCA via e-mail. To obtain your personal username and password, e-mail your request to info@bcchiro.com. For security reasons, you must include your full name and MSP# in your message request. Within the next few weeks, members will be able to register for BCCA seminars and courses online through the web site. Although we will not accept online credit card payments, the process of online registration will enable registrants to reserve space in advance and access self-calculating payment forms to include with their seminar cheque payments via regular mail. The BCCA web site continues to be a valuable resource and promotional tool for health care issues at the public, media and political level. Be sure to check out the News & Views section of the site, where you can access audio clips on stroke and paediatric issues on behalf of the Association and video clips from the latest news coverage regarding health care issues. With more web site enhancements planned for 2002, we welcome member suggestions with regard to content and design additions. Please send your feedback to info@bcchiro.com.
Chiropractic Relay Teams Raise Over $15 Thousand For Charity
Back In Action Team Chiropractic burned up the track at Swanguard Stadium at the 22nd Annual BC Lions Society 24-Hour Relay this past summer. The team consisted of chiropractors, their immediate families and COAs, with members running a designated leg each in the 24-hour event. Working diligently for its cause, Back in Action raised over $6 thousand to send children with disabilities to summer camp. Together, event participants raised more than $1 million for the BC Lions Society. Says team captain Colin McKay: "The chiropractic team has participated in this event for many years and does a wonderful job of showing the public that we are a profession that is dedicated to health and that we care for those in the community."
Thanks to Back In Action team sponsors Scotia Bank, CMCC Alumni and the BCCA, members were able to purchase entrance fees, running uniforms and food for the 24-hour event.
Meanwhile, Vancouver Island Chiropractors were busy running and raising funds for the same cause in Victoria. The team raised over $9 thousand of the $400 thousand generated on behalf of the BC Lions Society 24-Hour Relay. “We are always looking for participants to join existing teams or form new teams,” says Dr. McKay. If you would like to participate in this year’s event, please contact Dr. Colin McKay 604-232-0112.
BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair Speaks Out on Government Health Care Cuts
Accessible public health care in BC is under the gun like never before. Every community and every citizen faces the prospect of lower standards of care and vastly reduced access in the coming years. None of this was suppose to happen. Certainly not if Premier Campbell’s election promise was to be believed. "Better health care where and when you need it" was his bold promise in the 28-day election campaign. Not surprisingly, a majority of British Columbians took him at his word.
If he promises to spur economic growth, cut personal income taxes and provide "better" health care, who wouldn’t vote for him? However, after seven months in office, British Columbians are seeing a much different Gordon Campbell. The tax cuts that were supposed to spur growth and “pay for themselves” have been nothing short of an economic disaster. The growth forecasts show BC will “under perform” in large part because spending cuts will depress an already fragile provincial economy. Even worse, the government’s February 19th budget documents spell out that none of the $2.2 billion in tax cuts will be recouped during the government’s four-year mandate.The sizeable deficit left by tax cuts - at $4.4 billion it is the biggest in BC’s history - can only be financed by service cuts, downloading and likely sell-off of critical public assets like BC Hydro and ICBC. None of these outcomes were ever talked about by Mr. Campbell in the election race even though balanced critiques of his tax cut strategy forecasted fiscal problems.
And what about his commitments to “better health care where and when you need it?” Within two months of their election victory, the Campbell government had announced a three-year freeze on the health budget, a move that effectively cut real spending in a program that is critical to every citizen. The initial impact of that freeze has meant de-listing, closures and creeping privatization of our public health care system.
The changes in health care spending have been a lightening rod for public anger towards the government. For smaller communities, the prospect of losing local health facilities means real hardship for every family. For every community, the erosion of our public system means that the quality of health care an individual receives will depend more on wealth than health.
The most offensive part of these changes has to do with trust and credibility. For good reason, a majority of British Columbians took Mr. Campbell at his word, only to find out now that he didn’t really mean what he said. Just as important, a majority of British Columbians believed Mr. Campbell’s economic acumen was viable; tax cuts would be self-financing.
The public’s frustration with the government’s actions to date continues to rise. In a very short seven months, the Liberals have gone from a strong plurality of public support to approval ratings that now hover in the mid-40s. The plummet in support will likely continue in the months ahead as Premier Campbell bulls ahead with massive program cuts and radical changes in public policy.
Our Federation, along with a growing number of community groups, wants the government to re-think its agenda for change. We have organized across the province to hold local MLAs accountable for their government’s actions and we will continue to work with other organizations who share our concern about what lies ahead if the government ignores our call for moderation.
Our success in this effort will depend on the scope of our work in communities. Whether it is working with seniors and health care professionals on Pharmacare cuts, students and youth on tuition increases, First Nations on the treaty referendum, or poverty advocates on support for the poor, our Federation will work to ensure that the “New Era” is not one in which growth comes only at the expense of equality.
Legislative Committee Update - Dr. Bob Masse
The past few months have brought many challenges for our profession in BC - perhaps the most significant being government cuts to MSP coverage. Many of you took part in our campaign to meet with and educate Liberal MLAs before and after their election to office. BCCA members met with over 60 Liberal MLAs - many more than once. In several ridings, members provided contributions and campaign assistance. Our profession made 13 presentations to the Standing Committee on Health. Two days prior to the government health care cut announcement, a legislative committee member stated in writing that government was recommending an increase in MSP coverage for chiropractic care. Since government was well aware of the value and cost effectiveness of chiropractic care, its actions can only be interpreted as deliberate, dishonest, deceitful and undertaken to serve some hidden political agenda.
MSP de-listing has resulted in decreased utilization of all affected health care services including Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Podiatry and Optometry. However, it is reasonable to assume that utilization will increase in the near future as patients and chiropractors adjust to the situation. This was certainly the case in 1987, 1991, 1994, and 1997 when changes to patient fees occurred. It is also important to note that coverage was already limited prior to the December 6th cut announcment; and that for many patients (except government employees with extended health plans) the cost of care has actually decreased!
We must continue to provide the best chiropractic care possible to as many people as possible. During stressful economic times such as these, our services are needed more than ever. Your skills, knowledge and compassion are of tremendous value to patients in your community. As long as you are clear and honest with your patients about the benefits of chiropractic care, your practice will continue to grow.
Our new BCCA web site Member Extranet provides a great opportunity for you to chat with fellow members about these types of issues. Through the online discussion area, we can build camaraderie by sharing knowledge, jokes, the occasional whine - and most importantly, encouragement. On this note, the BCCA is planning to re-establish a Mentor program. The program will have a one-to-one component, whereby more experienced DCs meet to discuss secrets of their success with a colleague who wants to grow his or her practice. Most of our highly successful DCs are very willing to share information, as they understand that mentoring also enhances their own success and happiness.
There is work that every member must do to ensure the health, growth and recognition of our profession. Your participation and support are critical to Chiropractic and the care of your patients. There is a tendency for members to complain that the BCCA does not do enough. Well guess what? You are the BCCA. Have you participated in the patient petition project to date? This valuable project will enable us to:
1) Demonstrate the public’s desire and need for Chiropractic to the media, resulting in positive media coverage of chiropractic care. One community newspaper has already contacted a local chiropractor for interview as a result of patient petitions brought to its attention.
2) Show unions and employers that its members and staff demand chiropractic care, resulting in better coverage by extended health companies.
3) Remind government of the value of chiropractic care from the public’s perspective. As the next election draws near, government will undoubtedly begin to buy the public’s votes by restoring some of what they have taken away.
Many of you have patients and acquaintances that are either large employers or prominent members in the labour force, such as union executives or shop stewards. These are the individuals who negotiate extended health plan coverage and should be contacted by the BCCA Insurance Committee to ensure that chiropractic care is adequately covered in their EHC plans. If you are aware of individuals that would benefit from discussions with the BCCA, please forward their contact information to Dr. Don Nixdorf, Dr. Gary Lo, or myself at info@bcchiro.com. If you would like to volunteer for one of the BCCA Board committees please e-mail me at robertmasse@hotmail.com.
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