E&M and CMT – A Guide to Help Chiropractors Get Paid for Both
As part of our effort to help Kansas chiropractors better navigate insurance requirements and rules, KCA has worked with Dr. Evan Gwilliam, Senior Vice-President of Practisync, to develop a toolkit on how to properly document and bill when you perform an E&M service on the same day as a CMT service.
This toolkit is now available on KansasChiro.com – Click here to read (KCA Member Benefit – Must be logged in to read).
New Study Links Chiropractic Care to Lower Risk of Opioid Use Disorder
A new study published in Health Science Reports provides strong evidence that starting care with a chiropractor may help protect patients from opioid use. Researchers analyzed electronic health records from nearly 50,000 adults with new episodes of low back pain, comparing those who received spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) to those who were treated with ibuprofen.
The findings were striking: patients who began care with SMT were about 80% less likely to develop an opioid use disorder within two years. They were also less likely to receive any opioid prescription or become long-term users.
The authors concluded that spinal manipulative therapy — often delivered by doctors of chiropractic — should continue to be emphasized as a first-line, non-drug treatment for low back pain, consistent with national clinical guidelines.
What This Means for Chiropractors
For KCA members, this research is more than validation — it’s a practical tool for patient education and community outreach. When discussing care options, you can confidently share that patients who choose chiropractic first are significantly less likely to need opioids later. That message positions your care as part of the solution to the ongoing opioid crisis.
It also provides valuable talking points with primary-care providers and payers. The study supports early referral to chiropractic care as a safe, evidence-based way to manage back pain while reducing the risks and costs associated with opioid use. This aligns perfectly with public-health goals and reinforces the importance of coverage for chiropractic services.
In your office, consider sharing this research in a short newsletter or poster:
“A major U.S. study found that patients starting care with chiropractic treatment were 80% less likely to develop opioid dependence than those starting with ibuprofen.”
It’s a simple, powerful message — chiropractic care not only helps patients recover from pain but may also help prevent the harms of opioid use.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that chiropractic care makes a measurable difference in both patient outcomes and public health. Every adjustment you deliver may be helping to reduce the need for opioids — and that’s something worth sharing.
KCA Advocacy in Action!
A huge thank you to everyone who has already contacted your Senators and Representatives in support of Medicare parity!
Because of your efforts, Rep. Derek Schmidt has officially signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 539 — a major step forward for patient access to chiropractic care in Medicare.
Let’s keep the momentum going! We still need Sen. Roger Marshall and Rep. Ron Estes to join as cosponsors. Please take a moment to send them a message using the easy tools at acatoday.org — and encourage your patients to do the same.
Every message makes a difference. Together, we’re working to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have full access to the comprehensive chiropractic care they deserve.
Chiropractic Roots: Dr. John Wheeler
In this heartfelt episode of Chiropractic Roots, Dr. Travis Oller sits down with Dr. John Wheeler of Wichita, Kansas — a dedicated chiropractor whose 30-year career has been defined by faith, perseverance, and connection.
Dr. Wheeler shares his remarkable path from growing up in Ark City to finding his calling in chiropractic after an early experience with healing, and how a life-changing battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during chiropractic school reshaped his perspective on care, empathy, and gratitude.
Dr. Wheeler reflects on the importance of genuine connection with every patient, his lessons from decades of practice, his service through the Kansas Chiropractic Association, and the wisdom he hopes to pass on to the next generation of chiropractors. It’s a moving conversation about faith, family, and finding purpose in serving others — one adjustment at a time.
Dr. Wheeler can be found at: https://wheelerchiropractic.com/
Chiropractic Roots is available on all major podcast platforms as well as: https://youtu.be/7WaBTDuy29c
HR 4204 (“Medicare Patient Choice Act”) — Empowering DCs & Patients
As part of our ongoing advocacy for greater freedom, fairness, and access in chiropractic care, the Kansas Chiropractic Association (KCA) wants to make our members aware of H.R. 4204, the Medicare Patient Choice Act. This bill would allow doctors of chiropractic (DCs) — along with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists — to opt out of Medicare and privately contract with Medicare beneficiaries.
What is H.R. 4204?
Under current law, many types of providers (e.g. physicians, psychologists, etc.) have the option to formally “opt out” of Medicare, meaning they are not bound by Medicare billing rules and may enter into private contracts with patients. However, certain therapy and rehabilitative providers — including chiropractors — are excluded from that option. H.R. 4204 aims to fix that inequity.
Key points:
- H.R. 4204 would amend the Social Security Act to extend this opt-out flexibility to chiropractors.
- That means DCs who choose to opt out could treat Medicare beneficiaries under private contracts, without being forced into existing Medicare provider participation rules.
- For patients, this provides more choice: if both patient and DC prefer, they can directly contract for care even after Medicare enrollment.
- It does not force any DC to drop Medicare; participation would remain optional.
Supporters argue this restores fairness (giving DCs the same flexibility as other types of providers) and strengthens continuity of care and patient choice.
What H.R. 4204 Means for Kansas DCs
- Professional autonomy – DCs should have the option to choose whether or not to participate in Medicare under its constraints.
- Patient access & choice – Many Medicare beneficiaries value continuity with their preferred DC; they should not be forced to change providers merely because of Medicare rules.
- Leveling the playing field — Chiropractors are currently disadvantaged relative to many other provider types that already enjoy opt-out flexibility.
- No harm to Medicare — Because opting out is voluntary, traditional Medicare coverage remains intact for patients and providers who choose it.
- In short: H.R. 4204 is about giving DCs and patients more flexibility, not rolling back access.
How You Can Help — Reach Out to Your Member of Congress
Advocacy from constituents makes a real difference. Here’s how KCA recommends you act now:
- Identify your U.S. House Representative.
- You can find your member by ZIP code at House.gov or via other “find your member” tools.
- Send a personal message or letter urging them to support H.R. 4204.
Key points you might include:
- Introduce yourself, note you are a constituent and DC (or stakeholder).
- Explain that H.R. 4204 grants DCs the same opt-out flexibility currently afforded many other provider types.
- Emphasize how opt-out helps patients preserve continuity of care and increases provider–patient choice.
- Ask them to co-sponsor and support the bill in committee.
- Follow up and encourage others.
- Call or email the congressional office.
Upcoming District Meetings
KCA District Map
KCA KC Metro District Meeting and 2026 Elections
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – 6:00 pm
District Meeting with 2026 Elections
Causes and Treatment of Heel Pain – Dr. Melissa Journot, DPM
Education Starts at 6:30 pm
10850 Lowell Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210
Cleveland University – Kansas City – Room 2088
RSVP to Dr. Dani Steffen at danijohnson25@gmail.com
KCA Sedgwick District Meeting and 2026 Elections
Sponsored by O2 Midwest
1 Hour of Cat 1 CE – Dr. Keith Frederick
October 30, 2025 – 6:30 pm Social, Education Starts at 7:00 pm
3801 N Ridge Rd., Ste 220, Wichita, KS 67205
RSVP to Dr. Brian Asbury at dr.brianasbury@gmail.com
KCA SouthCentral District Meeting and 2026 Elections
Sponsored by O2 Midwest
1 Hour of Cat 1 CE – Dr. Keith Frederick
October 30, 2025 – 6:30 pm Social, Education Starts at 7:00 pm
3801 N Ridge Rd., Ste 220, Wichita, KS 67205
RSVP to Dr. Keith Frederick at kfredfc@gmail.com
KCA NorthWest District Meeting and 2026 Elections
November 5, 2026 – 6:15 pm – Via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84295952765?pwd=IrrJmG9ZD6NLgy8ZGdjPaLQXgRYKWa.1
Meeting ID: 842 9595 2765 Passcode: 521138
RSVP to Dr. Dustin Cheney at dustincheney@hotmail.com
KCA NorthCentral District Meeting and 2026 Elections
2 Hours of Cat 1 CE – Dr. Jeffery Horinek, MD – Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
November 5, 2025 – 6:00 pm Social, Education starts at 6:30 pm
Martinelli’s Little Italy – 158 S. Santa Fe Ave, Salina, KS 67401
RSVP to Dr. Pete Workman at pete_workman@sbcglobal.net or 785-488-8470
Stay Connected with KCA – Now by Text!
The Kansas Chiropractic Association is excited to announce a new way to keep you informed and connected: KCA Text Alerts.
With this service, you’ll receive timely links to our weekly updates, along with important information relevant to your practice. Whether it’s news about compliance, upcoming events, or resources to help you serve your patients, you’ll have KCA updates right at your fingertips.
We know your time is valuable, so we promise not to overwhelm you with messages. Text alerts will only be sent when there is important information to share.
How to Sign Up
Members who wish to receive KCA Text Alerts can enroll quickly and securely HERE.
Stay in the know. Stay connected. Stay ahead with KCA.
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