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Office Hours: |
Monday 8a-6p
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 8a-6p
Thursday 8a-6p
Friday 7:30a-2:30p |
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US Supreme Court Opens
Networks For Chiropractic
On April 2, 2002 the US Supreme Court ruled unanimously
to uphold a Kentucky law known as an "Any Willing
Provider Law". Although this ruling did not get much
press coverage, this ruling will have a profound effect
on how health care is offered to the general public.
Additionally, the law will have a considerable impact on
the availability of chiropractic care in managed care
programs.
This ruling upholds state laws that force HMOs to open
up their doctor networks, allowing regulations in about
half the states to give patients broader health care
choices. The ruling is a blow to the managed care
industry, which argued that closed networks are more
cost-effective because doctors and hospitals that join
agree to accept lower fees in return for a guaranteed
stream of patients.
State "Any Willing Provider" laws basically allow all
licensed doctors who agree to the terms of the HMO to
become participating doctors in the HMO. This prevents
HMO's from limiting the number of doctors in their
network. According to many state laws HMO's are not
allowed to discriminate against chiropractors. This
ruling upholds those laws and opens up networks allowing
more chiropractors to participate in various health
plans.
The laws affect HMOs in all areas, but are particularly
helpful to patients in rural areas or small towns, where
health care choices are limited. In those areas,
patients sometimes have to drive many miles to see an
in-network health care provider. The Kentucky statutes
were challenged by a group of HMOs and an industry trade
association. The case turned on whether the laws
regulate insurance, which states are allowed to police,
or regulate employee benefits, an area reserved for
Congress. The Bush Administration, had asked the court
to uphold the Kentucky laws.
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