Board of Directors

November 6, 2003

Minutes

 

 

The following are informative minutes of the November 6, 2003 meeting of the WCA Board of Directors. Please note that these minutes may not cover all of the subjects discussed or motions passed by the board. The portion of the minutes dealing with confidential attorney-client communications, personnel issues, legislative strategies, communications with legislators, communications with government employees, political contribution strategies and specific complaints or information about individual practitioners is considered confidential by the board. WCA members may obtain detailed minutes by contacting the WCA office.

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by WCA President Sherry Walker, DC at the WCA building in Madison. Members absent Drs. Sleight and Henrichs.

 

Motion: Moved by Bronston, seconded by Lyne to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2003 meeting. Motion carried.

 

Trigon Lawsuit

 

The board viewed the Trigon Lawsuit videotape made available by the ACA. A motion for the WCA to make an additional contribution to the lawsuit failed for lack of a second.

 

ACA Actuarial Study

 

Moved by Varish, seconded by McMahon to request that the executive director respond to the ACA actuarial study solicitation. The WCA may make a significant contribution for this study predicated upon satisfactory answers to questions about the methodology of the study. Motion carried.

 

  • The proposed budget for the study is $100,000 - $120,000. Considering the magnitude of the data that must be analyzed, we have a concern that the proposed budget is insufficient for the proposed objectives. Is it possible to supply us with the budget detail to alleviate this concern?

 

  • In order to make an “apples to apples” comparison of chiropractic treatment to other health disciplines, it will be necessary to create a severity index model. How will the ACA obtain the clinical documentation to assign severity to claim data?

 

  • How large a data sample will be analyzed? How will the ACA insure that the utilization limitations of Medicare, Medicaid, managed care, and some state’s worker’s compensation plans do not impact on the credibility of the data?

 

  • What is the background of the individual(s) who will analyze the data and prepare the study’s conclusions?

 

  • What organization is conducting the study?

 

  • What will happen to the study results in the unlikely event that they are not favorable to the profession?

 

  • Will the organizations that contribute to the study see the conclusions before they are released to the media?

 

WCF Task Force on Identity

 

The board discussed its participation on the World Chiropractic Federation’s Task Force on Identity. The purpose of this task force is not about defining the scope of practice; but rather, who chiropractors are – about what is an effective and appropriate public identity for the profession. The board expressed its desire to contribute to the work of the task force in any way possible.

 

Motion: Moved by Masche, seconded by Varish to request that the executive director apply for membership on the World Federation of Chiropractic Task Force on Identity. Motion carried.

 

Peer Review Task Force

 

The Wisconsin Hospital Association is conducting a task force on the immunity laws for those organizations that conduct peer reviews. While the WCA does not currently conduct peer reviews it was thought by the board that we should send a representative to the meeting in order to be prepared for any future activity in this area.

 

Motion: Moved by Bronston, seconded by Lyne to send a representative to the Wisconsin Hospital Peer Review Task Force meeting. Motion carried.

 

NBCE Survey

 

Board members were asked to encourage their district members to complete any survey they receive from NBCE.

 

HIPAA & Law Enforcement

 

A letter was published in the Wisconsin Chiropractor from the state Attorney General reminding health care providers of their obligation to cooperate with law enforcement and the specific exclusions under HIPAA for providing patient information.

 

Member Benefits

 

The board discussed the new Scrip program that is being mailed to members. Each member will receive a full explanation of the program before December 1st.