| KCA Legislative UpdateWeek of January 12–15, 2026 The 2026 Kansas legislative session is underway, and the Kansas Chiropractic Association (KCA) has been actively present at the Statehouse as health-related committees organize and early legislation begins to move. This work reflects KCA’s mission of empowering chiropractors with community, advocacy, resources, and education—ensuring the profession has a strong, informed voice in Kansas healthcare policy. Expanding Access to Pre-School Physicals KCA continues to advance legislation aimed at improving access to required pre-school attendance physicals. The focus of this effort is to reduce unnecessary barriers for families, improve timely access to care, and lower administrative and financial burdens—particularly for working parents.The bill is currently being finalized by the Revisor’s Office and is expected to be introduced soon in the Kansas House. KCA’s advocacy emphasizes that this proposal is about access, efficiency, and affordability, not scope expansion. In keeping with our mission, KCA is working to prepare clear, responsible testimony that reflects patient needs and practical healthcare realities. Concussion Return-to-Play Legislation KCA is also working on legislation related to concussion return-to-play protocols. Drafting is in progress, and the bill will be introduced this session. While a hearing is not guaranteed, this effort reflects KCA’s commitment to education, collaboration, and patient safety—particularly for children and student-athletes. Committee Activity & Health Policy Discussions This week included attendance at multiple Senate and House health committee meetings, which focused on:Public health and Medicaid overviews from state agenciesEmergency medication access in schoolsOccupational licensure compacts for several healthcare professionsThese early committee meetings help establish the policy framework for the session and allow KCA to engage constructively with policymakers and stakeholders across the healthcare system. Insurance Reform: Prior Authorization Transparency (SB 330) A significant healthcare bill, SB 330, was introduced to address transparency and timelines in insurance prior authorization. Importantly, the bill explicitly includes chiropractic services and would require insurers to use standardized electronic processes, respond within defined timeframes, and report data on approvals and denials.KCA is actively preparing testimony in support of SB 330, as the bill aligns with our mission by reducing administrative burden, improving patient access to care, and providing chiropractors with better resources to navigate insurance requirements. Ongoing Advocacy Beyond formal committee meetings, KCA continues to engage with legislators, state agencies, and healthcare organizations to ensure chiropractic perspectives are included in broader policy conversations.KCA will remain present at the Statehouse throughout the legislative session, advocating for policies that strengthen access to care and reflect our mission of empowering chiropractors with community, advocacy, resources, and education.More updates will be shared as legislation is introduced, and hearings are scheduled. |
Blue KC / Highmark Affiliation: What Chiropractors Should Know
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) has announced an affiliation agreement with Highmark that is expected to move forward in 2026, pending regulatory approvals. At this time, Blue KC has stated that it will remain locally governed and branded, and there have been no announced changes to provider networks, reimbursement, or chiropractic coverage.
That said, KCA is monitoring this development closely.
In other regions where Highmark operates, chiropractic coverage is often governed by more formalized medical policies, increased utilization management, and tighter administrative requirements. In some markets and plan designs, chiropractors report visit caps, stricter definitions of medical necessity, or prior authorization requirements. Importantly, these features are often employer-specific and state-specific, and experiences in other states do not automatically translate to Kansas due to differences in insurance law, parity requirements, and network adequacy rules.
At this point, there is no publicly available information indicating that Blue KC has adopted Highmark chiropractic policies or intends to do so. However, changes—if they occur—would most likely appear gradually through policy updates, employer renewals, or new administrative requirements rather than all at once.
What KCA Members Should Be Doing Now
KCA encourages all members to regularly review the insurance contracts they have individually signed and assess whether continued participation in each network still makes financial and operational sense for their practice. Reimbursement, administrative burden, documentation demands, and patient impact can change over time, and those decisions are individual business judgments that should be revisited periodically—not assumed to remain viable indefinitely.
What to Watch For (and Report to KCA)
Please let us know if you see any of the following related to Blue KC:
- New or revised medical policies affecting chiropractic care
- Introduction of prior authorization requirements
- Visit caps, daily dollar limits, or new claims edits
- Denials citing “maintenance care” or new medical-necessity standards
- Network or credentialing changes that affect access or participation
Early, concrete reports from members are critical. They allow KCA to separate rumor from reality and to engage appropriately with insurers, employers, and regulators when necessary.
KCA will continue monitoring this affiliation and will keep members informed as credible information becomes available. If you receive any direct communication from Blue KC or experience changes in claims processing or coverage, please contact the KCA office.
Recent Comments