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Shaw Chiropractic D.C.s Are Still Number One for PI This month in a chiropractic trade journal an article was published regarding the chiropractors role in personal injury. The article was written by Dr. Larry Nordhoff who was the lead author of the Motor Vehicle Collision Injuries text book. Dr. Nordhoff reviewed papers and data published by the Insurance Research Council (IRC) which is an independent non-profit research organization whose funding is obtained from the insurance carriers of America. The results were interesting and I thought I would share them with you. The number of initial patient encounters to various specialists is indicative of peoples attitudes and accessibility to health care when involved in a motor vehicle trauma. Since 1997 emergency room visits dropped by nearly 21% when compared to 1987. General practitioners had a 30% reduction during the same period. In the past 5 years physical therapists have had a 5% increase. The greatest increase was seen on visits to chiropractors after MVA. From 1992 to 1997 Chiropractors had an increase of 40% reflecting both public acceptance and efficacy of the treatment. Other statistics derived from the IRC research would prove helpful for you when determining the appropriateness of the treatment given to your clients by chiropractors. Nordhoff found that the average chiropractic patient in a MVA was seen 24 times for an average cost of $2,235.00 in 1997.The 25th percentile chiropractor saw patients for an average of 11 visits. The 50th percentile chiropractor treated patients for an average of 20 visits. The 75th percentile chiropractor treated patients for an average of 32 visits. The average visit was $93.13. Of course, regional differences may increase or decrease the charges accordingly. Interestingly, M.D./PT care was essentially the same as the chiropractic care with the average case costing carriers between $1,853 - $2,521. However, these figures also included those patients who were seen only be the MD and not referred for PT. While these are only averages they do give an indication of where your clients bills should be and if the number of treatments was similar to other chiropractors across the country. If the chiropractors visit frequency or bills are exceptionally out of proportion you may question why they are so disproportionate. There may be a reasonable explanation but if a pattern of Aabuse= develops over many cases you may want to advise your clients of the unusual billing and management practices you have experienced allowing them the opportunity to treat with someone more consistent with the profession=s management standards. |
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