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Written by Jeanne Ohm, D.C.
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Friday, 22 May 2009 09:17 |
Family Wellness First - 037
Family Wellness Care Being Denied: Parent Action Needed Now
The E-newsletter for Parents to Make Informed Health Care Choices
If you cannot read this newsletter, please visit: www.icpa4kids.org/wellness/0037.htm to access it
Discrimination against children:
A recent bulletin from UnitedHealthcare has announced it will no longer be covering chiropractic care for children. This announcement comes without substantial reasoning or evidence. It also appears discriminatory, considering the numerous off-label drugs for children covered by their policies.
Chiropractic political organizations have forwarded their statements to UHC, however consumer/ parental participation is necessary! These insurance conglomerates need to know we are appalled by their unfair double standards. They need to know that they cannot limit our rights as parents to choose the care we want for our families! They need to know they are not intimidating us, rather they are revealing their real motive: profit and alliance with Big Pharma.
Their unfounded and unprecedented actions needs to be addressed immediately.
Experimental and Investigational
The editorial in the current issue of Pathways (#15) addresses this issue as well. It can be accessed on the Pathways web site here: http://www.pathwaystofamilywellness.org/references/references_15.html
In previous Family Wellness First E-newsletter we warned parents about the writing on the wall.
Read the archives here: http://www.icpa4kids.org/wellness/0011.htm and here: http://www.icpa4kids.org/wellness/0012.htm
Because the ICPA has seen this coming it has formed the largest practiced Based Research Network in the chiropractic profession. A Practiced Based Research Network is the opportunity to collect data from our practices and prove what we have known for over 100 years: Chiropractic Care for Children is Safe and Effective.
Our current survey study addressing this topic reveals outstanding preliminary data. To read our press release and the abstracts which have been accepted for publication visit this link on our doctor's web site. http://www.icpa4kids.com/research/updates/archives/Research_Update_008.htm
What's a parent to do?
Here are several suggestions for you to insure unbiased health care for your children:
Write a letter to UnitedHealthcare (see example below) and let them know you will not tolerate this discrimination. Do this regardless if they are your insurance carrier-- they need to know that as a consumer you would not consider them for coverage because of their unsubstantiated, unprofessional behaviors. Forward this free e-newsletter to all parents you know who are concerned with upholding their rights to maintain Freedom for Health Care for their families. Encourage them to sign up for future news alerts on our public web site here: http://www.icpa4kids.org/e-news.htm Subscribe to Pathways magazine and receive leading edge resources and articles about your families' wellness: http://www.pathwaystofamilywellness.org/index.html .
The ICPA is a non-profit organization and proceeds from Pathways support the ICPA mission of Research and Public Education. Encourage your doctor of chiropractic to participate in the ICPA Practiced Based Research Network. We need data from thousands of practices so that the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care cannot be disputed!
Doctors can sign up for the PBRN here: http://www.icpa4kids.com/research/PBRN/PBRN_Join.htm Make a donation to the only research in chiropractic securing your rights to choose care for your family: https://secure.icpa4kids.com/ICPA_donation.htm Encourage your doctor of chiropractic to have these sample letters in his/her office for all parents to sign and mail to UHC.
Sample letter to use for consumers who are subscribed to United Health care insurance.
Mr. Robert J. Sheehy
Chief Executive Officer
UnitedHealthcare
450 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT 06103
RE: United Healthcare Network Bulletin, Volume 21, September 2007. "United Healthcare had previously concluded that certain services provided as a part of chiropractic care were unproven. A recent review of the clinical evidence in published peer-reviewed medical literature leads us to further conclude that chiropractic services for treatment of children and adolescents is unproven and services for treatment of headaches is unproven."
Dear Mr. Sheehy,
I am aware of your new policy refusing chiropractic care for children under the age of 21. As a subscriber to UHC, I am questioning my decision to renew my policy with you and I find your recent special bulletin to be discriminatory considering the numerous services you cover which are considered "off label" and even unsafe for children.
I am aware that UHC’s new standards concerning research and new announced policy were not applied in equal fashion across the spectrum of healthcare professions. In fact, if every licensed profession were held to the same unrealistic standard being imposed on the chiropractic profession, virtually no treatment or drug would be reimbursable by UHC.
I am aware that you made this decision without consulting any major chiropractic organization for their input in regards to this unprecedented denial of benefits to adolescents and children and I am concerned over this apparent exclusion of expertise in your decision.
I am aware that every major chiropractic organization has requested the immediate rescission of the above-referenced policy and I, too expect the same.
I am also aware that these organizations have offered their assistance to provide whatever input your organization may need to craft policies that are reflective of health needs of chiropractic patients under your programs.
Additionally, UHC failed to consider that evidence/research is only one facet of a best practice strategy in clinical practice. Other equally important elements include clinical decision-making/experience, patient values, documentation, process of care, response to care, and risk stratification. Over reliance on literature is impractical in a clinical setting where unique patient attributes often exceed the strict controls found in most randomized controlled trials.
I suggest that you specifically contact the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, the largest chiropractic pediatric organization in chiropractic and examine their current Practiced Based Research projects and the preliminary findings on the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children. They can be reached via their web site: www.icpa4kids.com or by phone: 610-5652360.
Whereas I expect constructive dialog to occur, I also expect immediate rescission of this policy as I find it to be inappropriate to deny needed care for our children.
Sincerely,
Sample letter to use for consumers who are NOT subscribed to United Health care insurance.
Mr. Robert J. Sheehy
Chief Executive Officer
UnitedHealthcare
450 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT 06103
RE: United Healthcare Network Bulletin, Volume 21, September 2007. "United Healthcare had previously concluded that certain services provided as a part of chiropractic care were unproven. A recent review of the clinical evidence in published peer-reviewed medical literature leads us to further conclude that chiropractic services for treatment of children and adolescents is unproven and services for treatment of headaches is unproven."
Dear Mr. Sheehy,
I am aware of your new policy refusing chiropractic care for children under the age of 21. As a potential subscriber to UHC, I am questioning my decision to ever consider subscribing with your company. I find your recent special bulletin to be discriminatory considering the numerous services you cover which are considered "off label" and even unsafe for children.
I am aware that UHC’s new standards concerning research and new announced policy were not applied in equal fashion across the spectrum of healthcare professions. In fact, if every licensed profession were held to the same unrealistic standard being imposed on the chiropractic profession, virtually no treatment or drug would be reimbursable by UHC.
I am aware that you made this decision without consulting any major chiropractic organization for their input in regards to this unprecedented denial of benefits to adolescents and children and I am concerned over this apparent exclusion of expertise in your decision.
I am aware that every major chiropractic organization has requested the immediate rescission of the above-referenced policy and I, too expect the same.
I am also aware that these organizations have offered their assistance to provide whatever input your organization may need to craft policies that are reflective of health needs of chiropractic patients under your programs.
Additionally, UHC failed to consider that evidence/research is only one facet of a best practice strategy in clinical practice. Other equally important elements include clinical decision-making/experience, patient values, documentation, process of care, response to care, and risk stratification. Over reliance on literature is impractical in a clinical setting where unique patient attributes often exceed the strict controls found in most randomized controlled trials.
I suggest that you specifically contact the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, the largest chiropractic pediatric organization in chiropractic and examine their current Practiced Based Research projects and the preliminary findings on the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care for children. They can be reached via their web site: www.icpa4kids.com or by phone: 610-5652360.
Whereas I expect constructive dialog to occur, I also expect immediate rescission of this policy as I find it to be inappropriate to deny needed care for our children.
Sincerely,
Grateful Appreciation:
We have over 25,000 subscribers to our Family Wellness First newsletter. We know that each and every subscriber values their rights to choose safe and natural health care for their families. Do not underestimate the influence we have. If each of us took just the few moments to get these letters out, we would have a significant impact on this policy. Please pass this e-newsletter to all families who share your values and rights to choose. Our immediate action is critical. Our children are counting on us.
Thank you for your support!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead.
Many Blessings,
Jeanne Ohm, DC
I.C.P.A. Executive Coordinator
H.P.A. Executive Secretary
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To find a doctor of chiropractic in your area who supports your right to choose health care for your families, visit: www.icpa4kids.org/find.htm
To find a holistic practitioner in your area, visit: www.hpakids.org
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