Consultant Articles

Terminating an employee is never a comfortable or easy task. When done, it must be free and clear of legal complications. Even firing an incompetent employee can be a risky endeavor. Do it for the wrong reason or in the wrong way and you may have to pay substantial...

On November 2nd, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the final rule with comment for the second year of the Quality Payment Program (calendar year 2018), as required by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015...

It’s a fact: the educational demands that dictate the curriculum of chiropractic colleges leaves little room for teaching the essential skills of practice promotion.  For this reason, many chiropractors find marketing their practice frustrating—they simply never...

Identity theft among seniors has become a significant problem. Social security numbers, license numbers and bank account numbers should be guarded and not released unless you definitively know who is viewing this information. Then why do the Medicare Health Insurance...

The opioid crisis has hit a new record high in the United States with deaths estimated at 65,000 in 2016. In response to this crisis and in an effort to help consumers choose chiropractic care as the first-line option for drug-free pain management, the Foundation for...

Question:  Dr. Kotlar, “I treat a lot of extremity conditions. On some patients, I will adjust multiple extremities. Example, a rotator cuff strain, golfers elbow and iliotibial band all on one visit. How do I compliantly code and bill for this? Answer:...

Recent studies released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) have resulted in increased scrutiny of chiropractic services.  This scrutiny includes audits by the Medicare Administrative Carriers, independent contractors such as Strategic Health Solutions, and most...

Make no mistake, the future of chiropractic looks quite different from what you likely expect. In fact, massive changes are already being made and the rate of change is only going to accelerate, leading to a very different landscape in our great profession. This...

You have just given a new patient a report of findings and your recommendations.  You expected to hear a sigh of relief and thankfulness from the individual sitting across from you, but instead, you are confronted by crossed arms and the scowl of skepticism. We’ve all...

In 2016, the U.S. officially awakened to a crisis with respect to the use and abuse of legal and illegal opioid products. You may think the term “crisis” represents a degree of hyperbole, but when you realize 91 Americans die every day as a result of prescription...

Question:  Dr. Kotlar, I’ve been doing chiropractic extra-spinal manipulation on my patients, however, I do not know how to bill insurance for this service.  Can you help? Answer:  Chiropractic manipulative treatment (CMT) is a form of manual treatment to influence...

Providing patients with a weight-loss program is a natural in a chiropractic practice.  As chiropractors, we are well aware of the detrimental effects on the spine and joints that result from carrying extra weight. If we desire to approach health from a holistic...