11/17/2017

OSCA Testifies before the Ohio Department of Medicaid

OSCA’s Dr. Brandy Spaulding testified today before a Department of Medicaid panel on Rule 5160- 8-11; a rule pertaining to “Spinal manipulation and related diagnostic image services.” Dr. Spaulding reiterated to the department that Ohio’s DC’s currently are only getting two services reimbursed for while their scope of practice is much larger. Specifically, she cited a recent study by the John Cook School of Business at St. Louis University on “The Cost Efficiency and Effectiveness of Including Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) to offer Treatment Under Missouri Medicaid.” Included in the study was a citing that the state of Missouri’s Department of Medicaid could save up to $21 million annually by including chiropractic services.

“Currently, Ohio Medicaid has a model of coverage for chiropractic care that creates a barrier to access, as the Evaluation & Management, which is usually the first appointment (or also known as the Initial Examination), is not a covered service. It is not a sustainable business model for DCs to provide this time consuming and clinically irreplaceable service for free, and many times, patients within this payer system do not have the resources to pay for this non-covered service out of pocket,” said Dr. Spaulding. “The consensus among this research is that access to chiropractic care is less costly and more effective than other treatment options available. Excluding or limiting services provided by the chiropractor creates an increase in health care costs. In light of this research, and with the mounting opioid epidemic that Ohioans face when other pain management options are used, it is the position of the OSCA that Ohio Medicaid would see lower costs and better outcomes related to spinal pain complaints if full and unrestricted access to chiropractic care is available to Ohio Medicaid recipients.”

OSCA’s Nicholas Strata commented that “While we remain hopeful for full scope reimbursement, we are also cognizant the department has certain budgetary requirements to meet. I remain confident our incremental approach and strategy will keep moving the ball down the field. We look forward to continuing these conversations and deliberations in future meetings.”