National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys (NACA) Meet in Miami

NACA Funds Computer Information Network

By Editorial Staff

The National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys, an association of attorneys who represent chiropractic associations, societies, and colleges, held their 1991 annual meeting in Miami Beach, November 8-11, 1991.

The NACA was organized over 20 years ago by chiropractic associations' lawyers desiring a network of communication. The NACA now has members representing associations from 42 states, the ACA, ICA, and chiropractic colleges.

The NACA characterizes itself as apolitical and meets without regard to any philosophical position. "Any political position," said Michael Schroeder, vice president of the NACA, "is 'left at home' and put aside when the lawyers attend NACA meetings or confer."

The NACA meets twice each year, once in November for the main business meeting, and once in June for a mid-year meeting which focuses on specific subjects. Throughout the rest of the year, the attorneys share information to keep current with what is happening in the other states, share important judicial decisions, and help each other address questions of importance to chiropractic.

The NACA members participate on a voluntary basis to learn how to better represent the chiropractic associations and chiropractic patients.

Participating in the 1991 annual meeting were 32 attorneys representing 36 states, regional or national chiropractic associations, organizations, and colleges. In addition to sharing information on new cases and laws from around the country that impact on chiropractic, 18 specific topics were addressed including: HMOs; paper reviews; managed care; ERISA; mandated benefits; and utilization reviews. Intensely discussed was the developing trend by the State Farm Mutual Insurance Company of arbitrarily cutting chiropractic bills. This prompted appointment of a committee to identify those officers in State Farm with whom NACA representatives can meet to try and solve the problem without resorting to litigation.

A committee was also appointed to research more effective ways to conduct fair utilization reviews that will help chiropractors counter insurance company cuts by disingenuous consultants.

The NACA is funding a central computer into which each member will file research. The computer information will be available to NACA members by modem hook-up and will allow NACA members to instantly access cases, briefs, and research. The computer network will help make each NACA member more effective advocates for chiropractic.

The NACA will hold a mid-year meeting in Chicago, June 27, 1992, preceded by a tour of National College of Chiropractic on the 26th. Some of the topics to be discussed at the mid-year meeting will be the "State Farm issue," ways to attack the Blue Cross/Blue Shield trend of cutting payment for physical therapy performed by chiropractic assistants, and ways to attack participation denial by chiropractic physicians in HMOs and PPOs.

The next annual meeting of the NACA will be held in November 1992, in Phoenix, Arizona.

NACA meetings are open only to members in good standing or qualified applicants. A basic membership criterion is representation of a recognized state, regional or national chiropractic association or chiropractic college. For more information about the NACA, contact:

President: Paul Watson Lambert, General Counsel Florida Chiropractic Association 2851 Remington Green Circle Suite C Tallahassee, Florida 32308-3749 (904) 385-9393 (904) 385-8045 -- Fax

Vice President: Michael J. Schroeder, General Counsel California Chiropractic Association Hart, King, and Coldren 200 East Sandpointe, Fourth Floor P.O. Box 2507 Santa Ana, California 92707-0507 (714) 432-8700 (714) 546-7457 -- Fax

Secretary/Treasurer: Robert Hirtle, General Counsel Connecticut Chiropractic Association Rogin, Nassau, Caplan, Lassman, and Hirtle City Place Hartford, Connecticut 06103-3460 (203) 278-7480 (203) 278-2179 -- Fax