•rs far. 7^ * Conviction of Insurance Fraud Tougher than for Manslaughter? WEST VIRGINIA: Three West Vireinia chironractors have been charged with insurance fraud in what federal prosecutors allege was part of a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud Medicare and private insurance companies. Also charged is an Arizona chiropractor, Ronald Halstead, who consults with medical professionals across the nation on how to set up lucrative practices. Federal authorities say Halstead conspired with the West Virginia chiropractors to commit the fraud. The three Morgantown-area chiropractors all have been arrested—including one who federal authorities tracked to Ireland, where he remains in custody. Halstead was arrested in Atlanta in late February. Prosecutors say that the three West Virginia chiropractors, Robert B. Burns, William C. Filcheck and Scott Taylor, wrongly authorized more than $2.8 million in tests, treatments and other services between 1993 and 1997. Authorities say that Burns. Filcheck and Taylor, who were part of a combination medical and chiropractic practice in Morgantown, were authorizing treatments for patients, but telling insurers that doctors had approved the expenses and provided the treatment. Halstead allegedly helped Burns launder money from the scam after helping the West Virginia chiropractors hatch the plan. If convicted. Filcheck. 33. of Morgantown and Taylor. 36. of Mannington. both face 150 years in prison and a $3.75 million fine. Halstead. 62. of Scottsdale Ariz., faces 170 years in prison and $4.35 million in fines if convicted. And Burns faces 580 years in prison and $14.5 million in fines if he is convicted. The 30-count indictment was returned in September, but kept under seal until all the defendants were in custody. Writer Chris Stirewalt Charleston Daily Mail Staff New Law Targets Chiropractic Insurance Fraud CALIFORNIA: In early March, Golden State voters voted in favor of a proposition that raises the stakes on insurance fraud among chiropractors. Proposition 44. which was approved by 79 percent of participants in the state's primary election, mandates that, after two insurance fraud convictions, a chiropractor's license must be revoked for 10 years. The new measure also requires the state's Board of Chiropractic Examiners to investigate criminal insurance fraud charges against chiropractors, unless the district attorney's office would rather take on the case itself. Chiro Wire Unfair? NORTH DAKOTA: Ten chiropractors and seven patients in N. Dakota have filed suit atzainst Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and a providers' organization. ChiroChoiceT charging that the organizations exert "monono- listic control" over the payment of claims, the As- sociated Press reports. A new report by the Insur- ance Department appears to support that claim, alleging that the group of chiropractors participating in ChiroChoice may be receiving preferential treatment in getting their claims paid, while non-members are receiving unfair denials. The sticking point for the Insurance Department: Some of the chiropractors who serve on BCBS' claims review panel also have a business interest in ChiroChoice. according to the AP. But both BCBS and the chiropractors on the review panel insist that their relationship hasn't led to an unfair advantage for any DCs, and that the insurer doesn't discriminate against any providers. Chiro Wire Neurologists Warn against Chiropractic TORONTO: The Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) has fuelled an existing controversy by sending a letter to 63 Cana- dian neurologists criticizing a press release the neurologists sent out in February. In the letter, the CCA threatened legal action if the neurologists did not respond to the CCA's concerns. The neurologists' press release was a "statement of concern to the Canadian public regarding the debilitating and fatal damage manipulation of the neck may cause to the nervous system." It outlined six major concerns about neck manipulation, and was signed by 63 neurologists. Dr. Brad Stewart, the lead signatory of the press release and a clinical neurologist with a private practice in Edmonton, said it was not directed to chiropractors, but to the public. Dr. Stewart said the neurologists do not have an agenda against chiropractors, but noted. "We have an agenda against unsafe practices." The CCA sent a letter to all the neurologists involved, to give "an opportunity to clarify and validate your position with us. As a physician, you are aware that it is a serious breach of the rules of professional conduct to make misleading statements to the public. The implications of such actions could be significant vis a vis your professional obligations as well as your standing and accreditation with hospitals." CCA president Mireille Duranleau. DC. who signed the letter. said the primary concern was the press release's reliance on data from the Canadian Stroke Consortium. "The CCA cautions the public and the medical community that the consortium's data is gathered from an incomplete survey based only on a question- naire with no methodology for confirming whether the cases of stroke reported are in fact associated with neck adjustment." ShermanRPS(a).aol.com Pass on the information to warn other D.C. 's about events that are really happening to chiropractors. When you see a " yellow page " article your local, regional, or national newspaper about chiropractic or a fellow chiropractor, fax, e-mail or mail it to us at TAC. For further information, fax: 1-305-716-9212 or see page 4 for our mailing address.
