Members of the National University Student American Chiropractic Association (SACA) are celebrating the introduction of The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2019 (H.R.  3654), one of the topics they addressed during visits to the Hill in Washington, D.C. during the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) National Chiropractic Leadership Conference (NCLC) in January.

“Students who attended NCLC continue to leave an impact on the chiropractic profession,” said SACA President Nicole Stanley. “The students are excited to see their actions making an impact and are looking forward to next year’s trip.”

According to an ACA press release, the Act would allow Medicare beneficiaries access to the chiropractic profession’s broad-based, non-drug approach to pain management, which includes manual manipulation of the spine and extremities, evaluation and management services, diagnostic imaging and utilization of other non-drug approaches that have become an important strategy in national efforts to stem the epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and abuse. The Act:

• Appropriately defines a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) as a “physician” in the Medicare program.
• Provides patient access to all Medicare-covered benefits allowable under a chiropractor’s state licensure.
• Requires that DCs complete a documentation webinar.
• Is bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) and Tom Reed (R-N.Y.).