The NYSCA Fall Convention in September promises to have something for everyone. It will once again be on Long Island, September 19 through September 21.

Our convention committee has put together a diverse and timely program. We have a wide variety of topics with quality speakers. Continuing education credits will of course be available, and it is a great time to be on Long Island. Try to stay some extra time to enjoy some of the attractions. We even have availability for Yankee tickets on Thursday for a discount to NYSCA members.

On Friday we will have some solid basic practice update information for Workers’ Compensation and Auto No-Fault Insurance. Saturday morning features Dr. David Seaman, the nationally well-respected nutrition author and speaker. Dr. Seaman's presentation with give you a perspective from which to observe the affects of diet and nutrition on neurological processes with regards to acute-to-chronic pain.

Dr. Christina Acampora of Aligned Methods will be speaking on Saturday afternoon with the topic “Communication with Medical Doctors”. This will be followed by Dr. Steven Weiniger of BodyZone, presenting on the subject of Strengthening Posture, Balance, & Motion.

Sunday's session will feature Medicare documentation, which as you know is currently being reviewed in the downstate area by NGS. We have the honor of hosting Susan McClelland, the ACA Medicare advisor and one of the foremost experts in Medicare for chiropractic. This program alone will be a great asset to your practice.

I hope you can join us for a weekend of education and fun. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me.

Sincerely,
Louis Lupinacci, DC
NYSCA President

The NYSCA at its annual convention at Mohegan Sun (Uncasville, CT) presented a robust educational forum that highlight changes in healthcare and the potential role for chiropractic.

Friday afternoon began with Dr. John Ventura (NYSCA District 15 member, former ACA alternate delegate, board member WHG) laying the groundwork for the chiropractor as primary spine care provider. He presented evidence for the qualifications of chiropractic, the interaction of the stakeholders and current platforms in which this is already occurring.

Saturday morning included newly elected ACA President Dr. Anthony Hamm leading an informative and well received introduction to ICD 10 coding, which takes effect on 10/01/2014. Dr. Hamm is the co-chair of the AMA’s RVS Update Committee (RUC) Health Care Professionals Advisory Committee Review Board (HCPAC) and has lectured extensively on coding and documentation.

Saturday’s annual luncheon featured a dynamic keynote address by ACA immediate past president and Connecticut native Dr. Keith Overland. In his address, Dr. Overland highlighted some of ACA’s activities including maintaining section 2706 of the health care reform law which prevents health plans from arbitrarily excluding the participation and coverage of entire categories of providers based solely on their licensure. The law enables patients to receive care from any provider who is licensed in a state to provide a specific benefit covered through an exchange health plan; working with the VA and DOD to expand chiropractic services and establish residency programs for chiropractors in the VA system; meeting with CMS to begin obtaining increased coverage for chiropractic services in the Medicare system, beginning with E&M codes. He enthusiastically supported the continued relationship between the NYSCA and the ACA and explained the need for these affiliations and how the interplay between the states and the national organization strength our small profession and allow us to pool our resources as we move forward in the healthcare arena

Following his address, Dr. Overland was awarded the NYSCA Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his contributions to the chiropractic profession. Dr. Overland is the immediate past president of the American Chiropractic Association. He has also served on ACA’s Health Care Reform Task Force as well as served as co- chair of the Connecticut Governors Committee on Physical Fitness, a member of Sen. Joseph Lieberman’s Health Care Task Force and a member of Rep. Christopher Shays’ Task Force on Human Services. He is the past president of both the Connecticut Chiropractic Association and the New England Chiropractic Council.

Mrs. Carol Beige was awarded an Outstanding Service Award for her many years of dedicated service with the NYSCA.

Also honored were the following doctors for 50 years in practice: Dr. John Pellegrino, Dr. Henry Keidel, Dr. Robert Gregory, Dr. Paul Muscolino, and Dr. Seymore Mac Goldstein.

The NYSCA Executive Board and Board of Directors are profoundly saddened to announce the passing of Dr. Ivan Abelson on Friday, October 11, 2013.

Dr. Abelson served the chiropractic profession and NYSCA in many capacities, recently as a District 7 delegate. He was the immediate past president of District 7.  Additionally, Dr. Abelson served on the NYSCA Board of Directors and was co-chairman of the membership committee

Current District 7 President, George Rulli notes the the District Board "is in shock at the great loss."

Memorial services will be held Monday October 14, 2014 at 12:00pm at Gutterman's Chapel in Woodbury.

Gutterman's Memorial Chapel
8000 Jericho Turnpike
Woodbury, NY 11797
Telephone: 516.921.5757

The NYSCA Executive Board and Board of Directors wish to express our deepest sympathy to Dr. Abelson's family.

The New York State Chiropractic Association is proud to announce the results of our May 2013 elections. We would like to take a moment to thank our previous incumbents for their hard work and fine efforts in supporting the NYSCA and the interests of Chiropractic in New York.

The following individuals have been elected to serve as our Executive Officers:

• Louis Lupinacci, DC, President
• James Hildebrand, DC, Vice President
• Jason Brown, DC, Secretary
• Lloyd Kupferman, DC, Treasurer
• Bruce Silber, Past DC, Past President

The following individuals have been elected to serve on our Board of Directors:

• Ivan Abelson, DC
• Robert Block, DC
• Robert Brown, DC
• Jeremy Lee, DC
• Mariangela Penna, DC

These will be joining our current Board of Directors incumbents:

• Patrice Carroll, DC
• Malcolm Levitin, DC
• Christopher Piering, DC
• Susan Schliff, DC
• Gerald Stevens, DC
• H. William Wolfson, DC

The new appointments have taken effect as of June 1, 2013. NYSCA thanks all the candidates that participated in this year's election and sends its congratulations to the winners.

Dear Colleagues,

The next NYSCA district 14 meeting will be Tuesday April 23 at 12:30 at my Suffern Office. The address is 81 Route 59, Suffern NY. If you have questions or need directions, please call 845-357-0364.

At this meeting, we will be discussing much of the information received at the NYSCA convention last month. There are several things important topics to cover, and it would be beneficial to all to have as many as possible participate.

One major issue concerning our profession is our scope of practice. NYSCA has recently developed a comprehensive scope-of-practice for Chiropractors in New York and wants to fine-tune it. We have been provided with a copy of this document and have been requested to provide feedback from our members. Comments from Council members are also welcome. Considering that NYSCA and The Council are moving closer to unification, having a scope of practice that is agreeable to both memberships is very important. NYSCA must make the decision of either presenting the scope-of-practice before or after unification, depending on the consensus of its members.

Our Chiropractic Political Action Committee helps promote the legislation that NYSCA is currently trying to get passed. These include the DC / MD partnership bill, the Electric-diagnostic bill, and the IME bill. Anyone wishing to contribute to the PAC, please let us know and we will be happy to give you information on how to do so. Many offices contribute by having $25 sent automatically to the PAC each month via credit card. This is less than the cost of one office visit per month.

Also, we will be discussing the Physicians Quality Reporting System (PQRS) program and reporting to Medicare. Offices not reporting beginning this year will receive a 1.5% reduction in reimbursements and next year that increases to 2%. We have a power point presentation from our Spring Convention that will be available to all in attendance at the next meeting.

Finally, several members have been inquiring about the move to electronic health records (EHR). If you are using EHR in your office and would be willing to explain at our meeting some of the aspects of making this change, please let us know. It would be helpful not to make the same mistakes, and if someone is willing to give a helping hand would be terrific. My office is at the very beginning of our transition and I have many questions also. If anyone is willing to help on this please let me know if you would be willing to discuss it at an upcoming meeting.

Sincerely,

Arthur Kaufer, DC
President, NYSCA District 14 

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 8:15 pm
NYCC Health Center
70 Division Ave, Levittown

Guest Speaker:
Dr. Marty Kotlar of Target Coding

Topic:
How will the Patient Protection & Affordability Act,
Commonly Called “Obamacare”, Affect the Chiropractic Profession?

Additionally, Dr. Kotlar will be speaking about
the pros and cons of MD/DC/PT/NP practices.

District 6 officers and board members will be present.
Get your questions answered regarding unity, Comp, No Fault, Medicare, etc.

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$5 for Members of NYSCA or the Council
$20 for Non-Members
Pizza and Soft Drinks Included
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