Millennium malpractice report
Now that CBS has climbed into the number two spot behind NCMIC, we're fortunate enough
have more than 50 chiropractors call our offices every day.
Unlike other malpractice programs, we don't have brokers who answer these calls.
Instead, I personally talk to as many chiropractors as I can each day. We want you
to understand exactly who we are and what we can offer you. You deserve our personal
attention.
But I don't do all the talking -- I listen as well. That's how I learn why
chiropractors leave their current carrier, and the inside scoop on the weaknesses and
flaws the other companies won't tell you about, particularly if they're having problems.
One such company appears to Frontier, the underwriter for the International
Chiropractors Association's (ICA) Chiro-Secure program.
According to our reports, Frontier currently insures just over 900 chiropractors, yet
more than 100 of them are involved in claims. It would be impossible for any underwriter
to tolerate such high losses.
Because of this, the ICA now must shop for a new underwriter willing to take on such a
risky program.
In the meantime, about 200 ICA members currently insured with Frontier have called us,
wanting to switch to CBS because they receive renewal notices two to four months after
they are due, if at all.
ICA members complain constantly of Frontier's horrendous administrative problems and
complete insensitivity to unique chiropractic terminology.
Many say they're fed up with Frontier's brokers referring to chiropractic as
"chiropractic medicine."
In the last six months, many of them have asked if CBS would insure them even though
Frontier refused to renew their policies because a claim had been filed against them. This
is not standard policy in the industry. The company should wait until they find out
if the doctors will fight or settle the claim.
My gut instinct tells me that Frontier will not go into the courtroom and fight to
protect you or chiropractic. How can they choose the proper attorney and defend
subluxation-based doctors when they think we practice some third-rate form of medicine?
Even if ICA changes underwriters, doctors will have reason to be concerned. Any
underwriter willing to take on such a risky program might not be stable enough to keep the
program alive.
But ICA members aren't the only ones who call me. I actually receive more calls from
NCMIC insured than any other company, in part because NCMIC insures approximately
one-third of the profession.
Many of their insureds are supporters of the American Chiropractic Association and want
to practice in an allopathic model of chiropractic. For them, choosing NCMIC is
appropriate.
However, far too many subluxation-based chiropractors continue to support NCMIC
because, in some states, they offer low premiums thanks to their volume business.
Many of these doctors are right out of school and are looking for the cheapest
insurance available, unaware that NCMIC will not fight for their right to adjust children,
promote wellness care, or render care to asymptomatic patients just because they are
subluxated.
These chiropractors either don't know or don't care that many NCMIC policyholders have
said they felt "sold out" when their cases were settled for $40,000.
In reviewing these cases, it seems obvious that NCMIC viewed the chiropractic care
through Mercy-colored glasses. The unhappy NCMIC policyholders were told they had
over-treated the patient, or rendered unnecessary care. Now, these same doctors are
looking for a company that will take them with a bad mark on their record.
The majority of NCMIC policy holders who call me say they are tired of playing into a
third rate allopathic model, based on the mercy guidelines. They have refused to
compromise themselves any longer. Many have decided they would rather pay more to be
insured with CBS than sell out their principles.
Although CBS has very competitive rates, it's true that you may actually have to pay a
bit more than you would at NCMIC. But those few dollars a month extra are offset by the
peace of mind CBS provides. If you are a competent subluxation-based chiropractor, you can
sleep at night knowing CBS will support and defend the way you practice in your office.
Finally, there's OUM and the National Chiropractic Council (NCC). I receive hundreds of
calls each month from OUM policy holders who are looking for lower premiums. They, too, no
longer wish to support a company that favors medicine over chiropractic and showed that
support by helping to finance the Mercy Guidelines.
In addition, many of them were furious over the "wellness calendar" the
company published, which promoted vaccines and implied the risks are minimal and the
benefits are substantial. Never once did they even mention chiropractic, while they
collect millions from our profession every year.
I only receive a handful of calls each month from NCC, simply because they don't insure
that many chiropractors. This malpractice program requires policy holders to have every
new patient sign an arbitration rule stating that they cannot sue you and information them
that chiropractic has been known to cause strokes and disc herniations. No one has ever
done any surveys on this unconventional approach to welcoming new patients, but I wonder
how many turned right around and exited the same door they just entered?
Every year, I talk to NCC insureds who faced malpractice allegations and had to hire an
attorney to take their case because they forgot to have the patient sign the arbitration
form. Because of this, NCC dropped them and refused to cover their case.
Obviously, as the TV cop used to say, it's a jungle out there. You need to be careful
when picking your malpractice insurance program.
You need to find a stable company with an underwriter backed by more than $300 billion
dollars in assets, that insures 5,000 of your colleagues, and that is committed to
providing you the best customer service and chiropractic defense available. You need a
company willing to give you a 15% discount on your annual premium just for supporting your
state or national subluxation-based organizations (i.e. WCA, ICA, FSCO, NYCC).
You need CBS.
(Timothy J. Feuling is Vice-President of the World Chiropractic Alliance and
Chiropractic Benefit Services Malpractice Program. He is the author of "Chiropractic
Works!," co-author of "Chiropractic: Compassion and Expectation," the
"CBS Malpractice Prevention Program." Chiropractors may contact him with
questions, comments, and requests for insurance quotes by phone at 800-883-0412 or by
e-mail: feuling@cbsmalpractice.com.)
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