The Advocate Update Report --  January 2004
by Dr. Matthew McCoy, Chair – WCA Chiropractic Advocacy Council

Up-front fees - another way to 'get' subluxation-centered chiropractors

I am presently acting as an expert on three cases involving Boards going after chiropractors in part because they collected fees up front from the patient for a course of care or a pre-determined time frame. The situation is not unique to the United Sates and it is happening in the UK, Australia and Canada as well. Discussing the absurdity of Boards going after chiropractors for this is a waste of time – its crazy, rational people know its crazy and the dentists have been doing prepaid plans for years.

The fact of the matter is that certain individuals and groups in the profession don’t like it and use it as a way to “get” subluxation-centered chiropractors. They see it as a way for the chiropractor to bilk money out of unsuspecting patients for corrective or wellness care – which they don’t believe in. You see they think chiropractic is for neck and back pain; patients don’t need more than 10 or 12 visits so selling them a year of care is ludicrous to them.

The scary thing is that this attitude has support from “prominent” figures in the profession. 

In a publication edited by the “Secretary General” of the World Federation of Chiropractic, David Chapman-Smith, it was stated:

“There is a public and medical perception that chiropractic treatment is endless…[T]he perception is fueled by and is consistent with some practices and practice management schemes that boast lifetime care, promote unreasonable frequency of care, and press patients for large advance payments for future treatments.  As has been the case in Australia recently, licensing boards need to deal aggressively with unprofessional behavior in these areas.”

The Chiropractic Report.  March 2003.  Vol. 17, No. 2.  Pages 7-8.

The seriousness of this statement and his admonition cannot be overstressed. Should you be the next victim of a Board who heeds his urges you might get asked if you are a member of an association that is affiliated with and supports the WFC. If so, you will have some explaining to do. 

Take some action on this today: Find out if your state or national association that you are paying dues to supports such statements and check with your state board before instituting prepay arrangements.

As always I look forward to your feedback, comments and suggestions.

Dr. Matthew McCoy, Chair – WCA Council on Chiropractic Advocacy