After years of battling chiropractors, the American Medical Association (AMA) has found an ally within the profession -- the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Separate memos surfacing from each group reveal the fact that the two will work together toward the goal of "generic" CPT codes.

A memo dated May 30, 1996 from Sherry L. Smith, senior policy associate of the AMA's Physician Payment Systems, noted that a motion was approved to form a "Manual Manipulation Technique Workgroup" which would "review the current CPT descriptors and work RVUs for OMT, CMT, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Manual Technique codes."

The organizations invited to attend the workgroup include the American Osteopathic Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation -- and the ACA.

On June 12, 1996, Garrett F. Cuneo, D.C., ACA executive vice president, sent a memo to all state association executive directors noting that, "Throughout our discussion regarding the CPT proposal, there has been a concern expressed by some that the codes were chiropractic specific.

"When the ACA initially submitted its coding proposal to the AMA's CPT Health Care Professional's Advisory Committee (HCPAC), it was for the purpose of obtaining generic manipulative treatment codes. Although we believe we have addressed the legal concerns regarding these codes," the memo stated. "it remains the goal of the ACA to work toward generic codes within the next year" (emphasis added).

Dr. Cuneo referred to the AMA workgroup meeting in the memo, saying it "has the potential of being a first important steps (sic) towards realizing the goal of generic codes for spinal manipulation."

Dr. Terry A. Rondberg, president of the World Chiropractic Alliance expressed regret that the ACA appeared to be continuing its pursuit of assimilation into the medical profession.

"Chiropractic is not generic," Dr. Rondberg stated emphatically. "Adjustments are not generic. We are a separate and distinct profession and we need to have unique codes to distinguish us from the spinal manipulative therapies used in the osteopathic and medical professions.

"I'm shocked that the ACA leadership apparently does not see a difference between the two," Rondberg continued. "I'm equally appalled that the ACA continues to boast about its cozy relationship with the AMA when it should be continuing to fight against that organization's discriminatory and disrespectful policies."

Despite the strong desire by the ACA and AMA to create generic codes, the ICA announced it was standing firm in its goal to develop full chiropractic codes.

"It is obvious that while some believe the road to survival is to blend in," ICA President Robert Braile, D.C. told The Chiropractic Journal, "the ICA has always stood for separate and distinct."